Wishing Tree and Scarecrow

Choose this exercise

Purpose: Map and compare participant hopes and concerns at the start of a training program.

Use it when: Opening session of a multi-day training or workshop when surfacing expectations and anxieties helps align the agenda.

Skip it when: Short tactical meetings under an hour where setting personal expectations is out of scope.

Group arrangement: Individual reflection followed by whole-room posting and review

Timing: Source indicates 1 hour total with a prolonged visualization; UWT provides a focused 35-minute run plan.

Materials and tools

• 1 flipchart pad or 2 large paper posters
• Marker pens for facilitator drawing
• Pad of green sticky notes (at least 3 notes per participant)
• Pad of dark pink sticky notes (at least 3 notes per participant)
• Writing pens (1 per participant)
• Optional audio device for ambient background music

Before participants arrive

1. Draw a large tree outline labeled 'Wishing Tree' on one poster sheet and hang it on the wall.
2. Draw a large scarecrow figure labeled 'Scarecrow' on a second poster sheet and hang it beside the tree.
3. Distribute green notes, pink notes, and pens to every seat.

Say this to open

Take a comfortable seat. We are going to pause for a quiet reflection on what brought you to this course. You will identify your hopes for our time together, as well as any worries or hesitations. After a short prompt, you will record your hopes on green notes and your concerns on pink notes, then place them on our charts.

How to run it

1. Frame the reflection 5 minutes

   Deliver opening remarks. Explain the two charts: the Wishing Tree holds hopes, learning goals, and expectations; the Scarecrow holds concerns, obstacles, or fears. Let participants know they can sit comfortably or close their eyes during the reflection.

2. Read reflection prompt 5 minutes

   Speak in a calm, steady voice. Guide participants to think through three prompts: What brought you here today? What do you want to take away when we finish? What worries or hesitations are sitting in the back of your mind? If using background music, keep volume low.

3. Write notes individually 8 minutes

   Ask participants to open their eyes and write silently. Participants write each hope on a separate green note and each concern on a separate pink note. Neutral example: a green note might say 'Learn practical conflict resolution tools' and a pink note might say 'Fear that group work will run over time.' Remind participants they may write as few or as many as they wish, or keep notes private.

4. Post to charts 5 minutes

   Invite participants to walk up and stick their green notes on the branches of the Wishing Tree and their pink notes on the Scarecrow. Allow everyone to browse the posted notes as they return to their seats.

5. Cluster and review themes 8 minutes

   Stand by the charts. Read aloud a representative sample of notes from both charts. Group similar themes together with the room. Acknowledge common concerns and clarify which participant hopes fit directly into the agenda.

6. Debrief and close 4 minutes

   Ask the debrief questions to the room, taking 2 to 3 voluntary responses. Explain that the charts will remain on the wall through the end of the course to verify whether expectations were met.

Debrief questions

• Looking at the Wishing Tree and Scarecrow, what common themes stand out across our group?
• Which fears on the Scarecrow can we as a group help reduce during our sessions?
• How well do the hopes on the tree match what you personally came to accomplish?

Finished output: Two populated wall posters displaying participant hopes and concerns that remain visible throughout the event.

Remote

Create two digital whiteboards or columns labeled Wishing Tree and Scarecrow. Read the guided reflection over the main audio channel. Give participants 8 minutes to post virtual green notes for hopes and virtual pink notes for fears. Facilitator screenshares the board to cluster themes and discuss.

Hybrid

In-person participants write on physical sticky notes on the wall charts. Remote participants write on a mirrored digital whiteboard or type into the meeting chat using the tags [HOPE] and [FEAR]. A designated room co-facilitator transcribes remote chat entries onto sticky notes and places them on the physical wall so both audiences share the exact same display.

Access and participation choices

• Participants may sit, stand, keep eyes open, or look down during reflection; lying on the floor is optional.
• Writing on notes is optional; participants may post blank notes, post nothing, or hold notes privately without explanation.
• Facilitator reads notes aloud anonymously, ensuring no participant is pressured to claim their note.

If the session gets stuck

Participants hesitate to post sensitive fears or criticisms on the scarecrow.

Remind the room that notes are completely anonymous and handwriting does not need to be identified. Offer a collection box where participants can drop notes for the facilitator to post.

A participant expresses an expectation that is entirely outside the workshop scope.

Acknowledge the note directly during the review step. Gently clarify what the training will cover and suggest outside resources for expectations that fall outside the program.

Terms used here

• Wishing Tree: A visual flipchart used to display group hopes, aspirations, and learning goals.
• Scarecrow: A visual flipchart used to display group worries, potential obstacles, and anxieties.