I use Climer Cards with a wide variety of groups in diverse settings, from board rooms to classrooms. Recently, I used them for an opening activity for an eclectic group of caregivers for children with special needs. The group included grandparents, nurses, teachers, parents, aunts, and siblings, and ranged in age from 22 to 76. Each person was delighted with the images and had a unique story to tell in response to the question, “What are you grateful for in your life?” Some stories made us laugh, and others moved people to tears. I don’t think these stories would have emerged the same way without the Climer Card images to open the doorway to people’s imaginations and hearts. Each person was delighted with the images and had a unique story to tell in response to the question, “What are you grateful for in your life?” Some stories made us laugh, and others moved people to tears. I don’t think these stories would have emerged the same way without the Climer Card images to open the doorway to people’s imaginations and hearts.

I was able to use Climer Cards to process a series of conversations I had with community members in an emerging community. After numerous meetings the citizens were asked to pick a card that was reflective of how they might feel about their community now. The responses were overwhelming. Some related to the “light bulb” as they felt there were new ideas and energy created, while another related to the swimming school of fish and stated “I feel like we are all headed in the right direction together.”

These cards are a great processing tool for both formal and informal processing. With my undergraduate background in recreation therapy, I am fully aware of the need for tools such as Climer Cards to enrich our conversations and feelings.

During a program titled the ABC’s of Entrepreneurship, participants introduced themselves with Climer Cards. I asked each member to choose a card that reflected their ideas about the entrepreneurial journey.

Responses included: the heart for the one wanting to open a Tea House; the puzzle piece, since it has four sides (home/work/kids/personal); the gears, so many moving pieces; the open door, for needing to walk through it.

I had 10 people in the session and each card was excellent for each participant. Was a perfect way to get to meet everyone!