INDEX:

PAGE
1 / Index
2-3 / Write-up
4 / Verbal instructions to the teams
5 / Backside of clue cards
6-13 / Clues
14 / Volunteer sign-up sheet
15 / Rule cards to pass out to teams (not necessary)
16 / Value Experiences completed
17 / Opening exercises program
18 / Script for Host
19 / Frisbee Casting Course Scorecard

NOTE: I have put notes and observations on the clue cards in gray. They should be removed prior to printing. Once removed the clue should properly fit on the lower half of 8 ½ x 11 paper. Then on the back of the clue card print it with the “Amazing Race” logo.
VIRTUE… THE AMAZING RACE

Adapted by Bonnie Beames, Penasquitos 1st Ward, Penasquitos, CA Stake

As part of the April 2009 General Conference, all women were challenged to complete the experiences and project for the new Virtue value. Our RS president suggested we find an activity that the YW/RS could do together to emphasis the Virtue value. We used the "Amazing Race" theme and focused on Virtue at each of the tasks.

For those who are not familiar with the show, The Amazing Race is a reality television show that has teams of two race around the world stopping at the designated route markers in the various cities and performing specific tasks - some called "road blocks" and others "detours". At the end of each episode, the last team to arrive at the "pit stop" would be eliminated from the race and in the last episode three remaining teams race to the final destination.

For our combined activity we planned our travels for inside and outside the meetinghouse. Each sister/yw was to bring her scriptures to use as a reference to accomplish the various tasks. Those who forgot their scriptures picked up a copy from the meetinghouse library. We placed the sisters/yw into teams of four (4) and they worked their way through eight (8) Route Markers (Places) and performed eight (8) "Tasks" that included one (1) "Roadblock" and two (2) "Detours" all relating to Virtue. The tasks were challenging enough but not so difficult that any age or physical limitation was easily accommodated. Our first place team completed the race in 45 minutes with most teams shortly behind and our last team took about 1hour 10 minutes.

This can be adapted to fit any organization or function. You will need to recruit around 15 people to assist in this activity. We decided to involve our Young Men along with the YW/RS Presidency, Bishopric, RS Board Members and a few family and friends.

We held a short opening exercise to allow for some people to show-up late. After the opening exercises we blasted theme music from the “Amazing Race” downloaded from the internet. We told everyone to get into teams of four (4). Our process for getting people quickly into teams was to lay behind the starting line four (4) dots on the floor, in columns having enough columns (or rows depending on how you look at it) for our estimated number of teams,. Once everyone was on a dot, we had our teams.

Clue cards were printed on yellow paper both with “Virtue… The Amazing Race” on the backside and the clue on the front side. Although we assigned writing the clues to one individual, we assigned each task to someone from the RS or YW’s organization and told them that they were ultimately responsible to determine what/how their activity would be and should approve the final clue for accuracy.

Someone made a post event suggestion that it might be fun to have the first clue received be different for each team. Then they would not know the status of the teams of which they are competing. To do this you would have to have each clue numbered and tell the teams that they go to their first number and go in order until they wrap around and get each clue (e.g., 5, 6, 7, 8, 1, 2, 3, 4). Either format would be fun but I do like the idea of ending with waving the Flag of Virtue as the YW General Board did.

The first team to arrive on the mat was our winner. We used verbiage similar to the show (see “Script for Host section).

Our favorite activity was “Clean it.” However, we needed more proctors to oversee the teams cleaning their cloths. Possibly even timing them to make it all equal. Also, we allowed all teams that were standing outside the Bishops door to enter together. You need to do this or there will be too much of a bottleneck. In the amazing race, often the teams will arrive at a task and there will be a sign-up sheet for 2-3 teams to go at a time. This method could also be used.

VERBAL INSTRUCTIONS TO THE TEAMS: Teammates must race the entire race together; they cannot split up (except when instructed to do so temporarily by a clue) or continue on without each other. If one teammate needs to go to the bathroom the team must wait until they are assembled again before continuing. Teammates must arrive at each Task together in order to check in. Clues instruct the teams where to go next and what to do at the next TaskIt’s up to the teams to figure out how to accomplish each Task. At a "Detour" if a team finds the task chosen is too difficult, they may switch tasks. This may cause time lost, but it could result in a faster completion time for them.

Refreshments served: Assortment of Brownies (we also thought about doing red velvet balls but decided to go for the easy—at a prior activity someone made red velvet cake balls dipped in white chocolate and sprinkled with gold decorative sugar),

Prizes: 1st Place:Book of Mormon, Pocket size

2nd Place:Scripture markers & Book of Mormon Timeline Bookmarks

3rd Place: Book of Mormon Timeline Bookmarks

VERBAL INSTRUCTIONS TO THE TEAMS:

Stay together: Teammates must race the entire race together; they cannot split up (except when instructed to do so temporarily* by a clue) or continue on without each other. If one teammate needs to go to the bathroom the team must wait until they are assembled again before continuing. Teammates must arrive at each Task together in order to check in.

Teams make decisions on their own: Clues instruct the teams where to go next and what to do at the next Taskit’s up to the teams to figure out how to accomplish each Task. At a "Detour" if a team finds the task chosen is too difficult, they may switch tasks. This may cause time lost, but it could result in a faster completion time for them. Additionally, the proctors are there to administrate the game. At no time can you ask them questions nor should they answer.

Carefully read: Teams must carefully read each clue card (front and back) and they should allow sufficient time for each team member to read the clue.

Full involvement: Each team should make an effort to allow each team member to compete in tasks.

Hold on to clues: Each team must keep their clues and hand them in at the finish line. For each lost clue, a time penalty will be incurred.

Off limits: No activities will use the chapel; please do not use it as a thoroughfare. When performing an activity outside, all teams must stay off the sidewalks except the sidewalks immediately in front of the doors. However, one activity will require the use of the sidewalks and in that case teams can enter them.

Penalties: If any rules are broken or tasks not completed this will result in a time penalty and/or returning to complete the task.

* We may have some sisters sharing a space on a team and alternating in and out of the nursery.

FINDING VIRTUE

We are glad you have joined us on this amazing race of VIRTUE. It is ever more important that we hold to and teach the principles of virtue during our days. This is a journey that will help you live the words of our Lord: Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God. (Moroni 10:32)

Make your way to the fields around the outdoor pavilion. Search the fields of large “Gold V’s,” until you find one containing ancient writings on the back. Once you have found one, make your way to the angel on the hill where you will receive a Urim and Thummim. Using the Urim and Thummim and writing tools at the pavilion, translate the scripture. Once translated, take it to Tree of Life where it will be checked for accuracy and you will be given your next clue. (We translated a scripture using wingdings and gave a U&T with all the letters-We use 2Peter 1:5; I would suggest one that is slightly longer, possibly D&C 121:45.)

DETOUR is a choice between two tasks, each with its own pros and cons. Teams must successfully complete one of the tasks in order to receive their next clue.
Some tasks may look harder, but teams that do them well may to finish them quickly. There is no penalty if a team decides to change tasks part way through.
It is possible to fail a detour task, and so in that case a team will have no choice but to complete the other option.

In this Detour, teams must choose between RUBIES and PEARLS.

Rubies or Pearls

Rubies

In Proverbs 31:10 we are taught the value of virtue: Who can find a virtuouswoman? for her price is far above rubies.

Make your way to a room near cleaning supplies and choose one team member to be blinded folded. Select a ziplock bag filled with rice; once opened, only the blind folded member may touch the bag. Without pouring the rice out, the blinded folded member will reach into the bag and find a ruby colored piece of rice while teammates will verbally guide her in her search. In order to get the clue, only the ruby one should be in her hand.

(Bags had 4 c. of rice and 3 ruby colored pieces of rice. I would adjust this to require they find 2 out of 4 rubies)

Choice B - Pearls

In Matthew 7:6 we are taught to protect that which is sacred: Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

Make your way to a building exit and begin counting the pearls (white beans) that have been thrown along the sidewalks. Once you have your count find the proctor and report it. When you have accurately reported your count, you will be given your next clue.

(We pasted white beans on dark strips of paper and taped them in a long row to the sidewalk. We had over 500)

Casting

The Savior taught beautifully in John 8:7,10-11 that he loves us unconditionally and that when we repent fully, punishment also ends: So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. …When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

Make your way to the parking lot and find the Frisbee casting course. Each team member must take a turn casting a Frisbee inside one of the large circles. Once inside a circle, the team member who threw the Frisbee must answer a multiple-choice question and write the answer on the Team Score Card (reference material may be used). After each team member has had a turn to land a Frisbee in one of the 4 holes, the team will give their scorecard to the proctor who will check it for accuracy. If an answer is incorrect, the team must return to the "hole" and play it again to make the correction. Once all answers are correct, you will receive your next clue.

(See attached)
RODS & RIVERS

In 1Nephi 8:30 we are counseled to stay on the Lords path: …behold, he saw other multitudes pressing forward; and they came and caught hold of the end of therod of iron; and they did press their way forward, continually holding fast totherod of iron, until they came forth and fell down and partook of the fruit of the tree.

ROADBLOCK is a task that only two team members participate in and both must complete.

Make your way to where the children sing. Select two team members to take turns rolling the large die then individually moving the appropriate number of squares through the path of virtue. If a team member lands on a "Rod" they climb ahead.If they land on a "River" they drift backwards. Some of the squares will require answering a question without help from the team--a missed answer requires that the team member lose a turn (reference material may be used). Once both team members cross the finish line they receive the next clue.

(We used blue painters tape to make a giant board game like “Shoots & Ladders.” Yellow and blue ribbon was used for the Rod’s and Rivers. I would change this activity by having the questions concentrate on the “Family Proclamation” to tie it to Value Experience #1-sorry, I don’t have the questions.)

CLEAN IT

And nouncleanthing can enter into his kingdom; therefore nothing entereth into his rest save it be those who have washed their garments in my blood, because of their faith, and the repentance of all their sins, and their faithfulness unto the end. (3 Nephi 27:19)

Make your way to a room with water where you will receive 4 scripture references and eight scriptures. You must match the scripture reference correctly to one of the eight scriptures given (reference material may be used for this activity). For each right answer, you will be given a tool that will help you clean a stubborn stain from a white cloth. Using only the tools, you must remove the stain from the cloth. After giving it effort, if you cannot get it clean, you may ask to earn additional tools.

(We used bowls of water and placed them outside of the kitchen on the sidewalk. Using Dixie cups, we gave teams bleach, soap, stain remover and also we cut-up a scrubbing pad and gave them a piece. We should have used an extra proctor or two to make sure the teams really worked hard to remove the stain or even timed them. Some knew right away they couldn’t remove it and asked for the extra tool and it became confusing to remember how long they had been working. For the extra tool they were escorted out of the kitchen where someone walked them to the Bishop’s office. He took the teams into his office and explained his role as a Righteous Judge of Israel and then gave them a clean white cloth.)

DETOUR

A Detour is a choice between two tasks, each with its own pros and cons. Teams must successfully complete one of the tasks in order to receive their next clue.
Some tasks may look harder, but teams that do them well may to finish them quickly. There is no penalty if a team decides to change tasks part way through.
It is possible to fail a detour task, and so in that case a team will have no choice but to complete the other option.
In this Detour, teams must choose between IMAGES and WORDS.

IMAGES OR WORDS
IMAGES

And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts? …I say unto you, can ye look up to God at that day with a pure heart and clean hands? I say unto you, can you look up, having the image of God engraven upon your countenances? (Alma 5:14,19)

Make your way to a room where those under the order of Melchizedek meet. In this task two team members will select a picture grid and put in order 9 pictures of women in the acts of virtue. No picture can repeat in the same row or column. Once the grid is completed correctly, you will be given your next clue.

(We copied an easy Soduko game but used pictures instead of numbers. Above the picture board a word strip should be posted stating; HINT: Each subgrid should also only contain each picture exactly once.)

WORDS

And now, behold, my beloved brethren, I suppose that ye ponder somewhat in your hearts concerning that which ye should do after ye have entered in by the way. But, behold, why do ye ponder these things in your hearts? Do ye not remember that I said unto you that after ye had received the Holy Ghost ye could speak with the tongue of angels? And now, how could ye speak with the tongue of angels save it were by the Holy Ghost? Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do. Wherefore, now after I have spoken these words, if ye cannot understand them it will be because ye ask not, neither do ye knock; wherefore, ye are not brought into the light, but must perish in the dark. For behold, again I say unto you that if ye will enter in by the way, and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do. (2 Nephi 32: 1-5)