Dear future me
You’ll need
- Coloured pens or pencils
- Postcards
Before you begin
This is a great activity to think about the theme of Remembrance with your group. You can find some more information below, or on our Ways to remember pages.
Run the activity
- The person leading the game should give everyone a postcard and make sure everyone can reach some pens or pencils.
It doesn’t matter whether you use plain postcards or ones with pictures on – whatever you have is fine.
- The person leading the game should give everyone ideas for how far in the future they’d like to send their postcard.
It’s up to you what you choose – you could pick something soon, such as an upcoming camp, or something far away like a grown up job. We’ve included some ideas below.
- Everyone should write or draw a note to their future self. Grown ups can help with scribing or spelling, but it doesn’t matter if people don’t get it all right.
- If they want to, people could share their postcards with each other. They could read or explain the whole thing, or just share some of their ideas.
- The person leading the game should try to keep the postcards in a safe place until ‘the future’. Then, they should give them back to everyone so they can re-read them and talk about them. Did people find their own advice helpful? Are they proud of themselves now?
When you give them back may depend on how far in the future people are writing about. It’ll be easier if the postcards are about next month’s camp, for example, rather than adulthood.
- Imagine you’re a grown up. Think about what you’re doing; your hobbies, your family, and where you live. Write a note to your future self about some of the things you’d like to achieve.
- Imagine your dream job or occupation. Draw a picture of it and write about what you did to get there.
- Imagine you’ve just come back from your first camp. Draw and write what you did – don’t forget to let your future self know that you’re proud of yourself for learning lots of new skills.
- Imagine you’ve just completed a new activity or challenge badge. Draw and write about what you had to do to achieve it.
- Imagine you’re facing a challenge like getting a pet, moving house, taking part in your first competitive sports match, or making a new friend. Write a note reassuring yourself and offering some advice.
- Imagine a future invention. Draw the invention and write a note about how to use it.
- Imagine it’s your tenth (or twelfth, or twentieth) birthday. Write some advice for your future self and draw a picture of what you’ll look like and what you’ll be doing.
Reflection
This activity was a chance for everyone to think ahead and imagine their futures. People had the chance to think about all they can achieve and become in the near future, and in the long term too. Hopefully this makes people feel happy, hopeful, and positive about the future – even if it seems very far away right now. What are people excited for and looking forward to in their futures? If people work hard, then it’s possible they’ll achieve their dreams (even if their plan or dream has to change a bit on the way). It’s always good to encourage our friends to reach their ambitions too.
Safety
All activities must be safely managed. You must complete a thorough risk assessment and take appropriate steps to reduce risk. Use the safety checklist to help you plan and risk assess your activity. Always get approval for the activity, and have suitable supervision and an InTouch process.
Everyone can write as much or as little as they want (and are able) to. If people find it hard to imagine a future, help them with suggestions, or start with an event that’s in the very near future.
Some people may want to draw and explain their picture by talking – that’s fine too.
All Scout activities should be inclusive and accessible.
You could think more about the future by creating a timeline for group activities and adventures. Use a washing line or piece of hope to hand pictures, cards, or souvenirs. You could add pictures of badges people have achieved, or milestones like camps, Log Chews, and Investitures.
People can choose their own advice and ideas for each of the cards.