Operation Snowball builds trust, self-esteem in county teens

MONTICELLO – Blindfolded teenagers walked around a field at the 4-H camp at Allerton Park in Monticello on Friday, clapping hands and snapping fingers as they moved in circles, bumping gently against each other and giggling.

Huh? What kind of class is this?

It's not quite a class, but the exercise is about learning. For students who took part in Champaign County Operation Snowball's retreat this weekend, each game is actually a lesson in disguise. For the blindfolded exercise, students stood a few feet from each other, and each was given a number. Their goal was to find ways to communicate with each other to get in a number-ordered line – without using words.

Also on this date

• For Champaign woman, adoption was an easy choice
• Portrayal of single moms continues to evolve
• Community, church leaders weigh in
• City organizations make push for marriages, good parenting
• And baby makes two: Comments from readers
• UI's emergency notification plans get routine tweaks
• Extension of Build Urbana program on school board's agenda
• 2 Dems challenging GOP incumbents in county board elections
• Vote could change representation for Jamaica school board
• Obituaries

» More