More than a game: WordTrails finds ways to connect people
Part 2 of 2
When Kanab resident Scout Wilkins created WordTrails, she never imagined her unconventional game would find its way into a prison.
“It makes sense to me that veterans would use it, but it had not occurred to me in any universe that it would be used in a prison,” Wilkins said.
Participants explore WordTrails, using colorful word chips to create connections and share perspectives without the need for verbal explanations. Creator Scout Wilkins says the game encourages reflection and understanding through shared experiences. Photos courtesy of Scout Wilkins.
The experience has become one of the most rewarding developments for Wilkins, who says incarcerated players have begun incorporating the game’s language into their group discussions.
The game itself is difficult to categorize. Unlike traditional board games, WordTrails has no winners or losers, and players aren’t required to explain their choices.
Instead, participants gather around a table containing 300 colored word chips organized into 17 groups. Players take turns selecting chips and placing them alongside others, gradually creating interconnected trails of words. Action cards introduce unexpected elements, while small tokens called trinkets allow players to identify words that resonate with them.
Once all the trinkets have been placed, participants rearrange selected chips into individual designs, reflecting on what they’ve created.
“You’re actually having a conversation with yourself in the presence of other people, who are adding information and offering different pathways than you would ordinarily go down by yourself,” Wilkins explained.
Her approach draws on decades of experience as a wilderness guide, educator, pilot and business owner. As a guide, she learned that understanding what others were experiencing could be essential to their safety.
“Getting my clients to tell me what is true for them is absolutely key,” she said. Wilkins believes the game’s structure encourages people to consider different perspectives without the pressure of defending or explaining themselves.
She reports that WordTrails is now being used in 10 countries, with applications ranging from personal relationships to professional teams, veteran’s groups and correctional settings.
For Wilkins, the goal is simple: helping people maintain meaningful human connections.
“I also see it as one of the tools that can help people stay human as AI becomes part of everything,” she said.
More information about WordTrails is available at wordtrails.com.
