Category:

Micro Cup It Up Activities: Flip Flop Tower & Reverse Pyramid Build (with video)

8/13/2021

If you've been following the fun for a while, you know I love team building with cups (in non-alcoholic ways). And, you might also know I'm the co-author of the book, Cup It Up: Team Building with Cups (with Barry Thompson). The book is available for immediate download or paperback version.

Recently I was organizing some pictures and video files and found some cup action using the smaller one-ounce cups (initially presented at NCCPS: The National Challenge Course Practitioners Symposium - a.k.a., the Un-Conference near Boulder Colorado).

Those of you who have been team building with cups for a while should be able to pick up the steps from the video. (As always, if you have any questions be sure to email me: chris@onteambuilding.com) Here are some finer details for each activity:

Flip-Flop Tower
All the details are HERE for the Macro Cup version - plays the same with the smaller cups!

Reverse Pyramid Build
You will find complete details for this one in the Cup It Up book (along with lots more cup activities). Here are the basics:

Pyramid Rule: Each horizontal level/row of cups has only one more cup than the level above it.
Start with one cup on the table (i.e., flat surface).
Only the cup(s) touching the table can be lifted.
Cups may only be added underneath the pyramid structure.
If a cup falls from the pyramid in any way, start over with one cup.
If you are not lifting the pyramid, only by the bottom row, you can use your index fingers (only) to touch the pyramid structure.

The Reverse Pyramid Build is one of my favorite cup activities. It has the tactile, visual and auditory connections that engage participants. It brings up great conversations about success and failure (when you fail you see it and you hear it) and small groups are active in planning and carrying out particular roles and responsibilities - some are more demanding than others. All good stuff to talk about.

Do let me know if you have questions! Email: chris@onteambuilding.com

Have FUN out there.

Chris Cavert, Ed.D.

Distancing Sticks: Three Team Building Activities with PVC (video)

2/7/2021

Late last year I participated in a ZOOM call with Karen Whittaker and her super-staff. They wanted to share some of the team building goodness they have created for there in-person groups. (Karen has shared some FUN content with us before: Macro Liner Quotes (print-n-play) and Life Skills Memory Match (print-n-play).

Here is the first installment of activities from the call (more on the way). Karen and Staff share three activities using 1-inch PCV piping - 10-feet long, schedule 40 thickness. I've dubbed them, Distancing Sticks.

Activities on the Video (Karen's Names):

Egyptian Pyramid - Use the pipes to build a standard pyramid out of milk crates.
Chop Sticks - Move Orbs from point 'A' to point 'B' by rolling or tossing (played like Loops: Toxic Waste Removal - using the PVC pipes is a great lead into the LOOPS version).
Letter Opener (picture above) - Create a Scrabble-like puzzle manipulating wooden letter tiles with the PVC piping (use all the tiles provided).

Do check out the video below. If you have any questions about how to set up and play any of these activities, send me an email: chris@onteambuilding.com

Thanks again to Karen and the super-staff!!

If you have any distancing sticks ideas, include them in the Comments. We would love more!!

All the best,

Chris Cavert, Ed.D.

BUILDZI - Two for One Team Building Activity

12/18/2020

If you are a gift-giver around this time of year, or any time of year really! (even giving gifts to yourself), here's a fun one you can give to your family and and then 'borrow' it to use for your team building programs. (Or, maybe it's the other way around?)

BUILDZI, comes from the creators of Tenti. (Tenzi is one of my favorite dice games - you can play with any number of people - well, maybe up to 12 around a table - as long as everyone has 10 dice. If you have or pick up Tenzi, don't forget the Cards Deck, 77 Ways to Play Tenzi, with Tenzi challenges).

(UN-SHAMELESS MARKETING: I love repurposing - especially toy aisle games like BUILDZI!! My amazingly creative friends, Michelle Cummings, Trevor Dunlap & Matthew Broda are going to help us out. They are releasing their book, Team Building from the Toy Aisle, in early 2021. I can't wait to see what they've come up with. You can pre-order your copy today at the Training Wheels website - link above.)

Most likely, if you've been team building for a while, you've done a communication activity that involves partnering up players, then each has his/her own set of matching supplies (e.g., playing cards or Dominos). Partners sit back-to-back, one builds something with his/her supplies and then communicates this build to his/her partner - hoping the outcome of the communication to be a 'match' (as close to identical as possible). This has always been a go-to for me when I want to discuss communication behaviors with my groups - everyone is doing something.

BUILDZI can be used for this kind of team building activity. The 'game' includes four sets of building blocks and a deck of long cards (see above). (So, up to 8 players per game is what I would say - four pairs.) In this way, when partnered up, one player has a card, the other has the blocks. And, you can play where partners can be face-to-face or back-to-back depending on the conversations you want to have. (I've found that we can bring up more about 'helping' when face-to-face because we can get visual feedback from our partner if we can see what he/she is doing.) And, what about starting back-to-back and then going to face-to-face? How does the experience change?

Other options of BUILDZI that I love: There is a 'silhouette' of the structure to build. Each card has a colorful block side and the silhouette of the same structure on the other side (see picture above. FYI: two different cards are show). And, you can have players build the structure flat on the ground/floor or vertically. Perfect for changing up the challenge.

Have fun out there! (It IS possible, even during these interesting times....)

Chris Cavert, Ed.D.

Liner Quotes: Growth Set - Macro Version (Print-N-Play)

12/3/2020

This is another generous share from Karen Whittaker (she shared Life Skill Memory Match a couple posts ago). She transformed the Liner Quotes: Growth Set cards (SEE THIS POST for specific details about the Growth Set of Liner Quotes), into a more visually appealing experience. (PDF Download below). In this transformation, she also made each card bigger (full sheet) so the writing is easier to read while we are safely distancing.

The Growth Set of Liner Quotes cards is one of two sets at the moment. The original Challenge Set (set 1) has been the free processing tool for joining the FUNdoing Fridays email list. You can sign up for FUNdoing Fridays below to get some FREE Team Building Resources delivered to your email every two weeks and get Set 1 of Liner Quotes, FREE. (I do not share or sell emails.) If the information in the emails is not your cup of tea, simply Unsubscribe and keep the Liner Quotes - no questions asked.

If you're on the FUNdoing Fridays list and have misplaced your free gift (Liner Quotes, Set 1), email me and I'll send you the PDF (chris@onteambuilding.com).

Below is the full write up for Liner Quotes (either set) so you can see the versatility of the tool. And now, with Karen's version, they are even more engaging!! THANKS KAREN.

linerquotesgrowthset_fromkarenwittaker.pdf
File Size:	614 kb
File Type:	pdf

Welcome to Liner Quotes – a fun insightful way to get your groups talking. If you find this tool useful please tell your colleagues, friends, and family where to find it – available only at FUNdoing.com. Thank you so much for supporting my FUNdoing adventures!

Over the past few years I have been listening to music a bit differently. It all started when it occurred to me that certain lines in musical lyrics would be great for previewing, midviewing, and reviewing teambuilding experiences – these lines could inspire/remind participants of important moments ahead or moments that happened during their program. To get these “lines” out there to the masses Liner Quotes: Reviewing Cards emerged. You can also find a more detailed description of the Liner Quotes activity in my book, Portable Teambuilding Activities (2015). For the Print-N-Play version, here is what you’ll need to know about using the cards.

Activity Objective: Participants are encouraged to choose and talk about a quote card that, to them, best relates to the experience that is about to take place (previewing), one that is taking place (midviewing), or one that has already taken place (reviewing).

Facilitated Objective: Explore behaviors related to trust, communication, empathy, voice, community, challenge with choice, risk, fear, and rapport.

Needs & Numbers: Print and cut out the 32 Liner Quote cards below on light blue paper (I’m suggesting light blue paper to identify the “reviewing” Liner Quotes sets from the “growth” Liner Quote sets that I suggest printing on green paper – green being for growth). For long-term use I advise that you laminated the cards or get the quotes printed on card stock. One set of 32 cards works well with a group of two to 16 participants.
If your pre-planning and/or programming include giving away the Liner Quote cards to the individuals in the group you might not want to incur the lamination cost. When giving away the quotes you could have participants pick a quote that best represents what they want to remember or take away from the program, or you can have the group as a whole, through nomination or another process, pick a card for each person in the group. In any case, when your cards are printed, you’re ready to go.

Time: 15 to 20 minutes at any time during a program – maybe a little longer for a reviewing session at the end of a program (depending on the number of players of course and how much they like to talk).

Set-Up: Spread out the cards quote side up, on a tabletop or floor, so all the quotes can easily be read.

Procedure: Since my initial set of cards was created, here are a few ways I’ve used them:

Ice-Breaker: Ask each person to choose a quote that reflects a certain value or belief he or she holds. Ask participants to mingle around the room sharing their quotes and the meanings they have with one person at a time.

Previewing a Program: Ask the group to choose, by consensus, an important quote (or two) that will help to remind them of an underlying principle or concept they want to remember throughout their program. You might call this quote the “group motto” or “purpose statement” that will frame the group’s actions.

Previewing an Activity: Ask each person to choose a quote he or she believes will be something important to remember as they move forward into the next part of the program, or the next activity.

Midviewing: There might be times when your group could benefit from a discussion/check-in break during an activity. For example, if they are struggling to move forward. Scatter the cards out, quotes up, and see if any of the quotes inspire some thought around what the group is experiencing and/or might consider doing in order to move forward.

Re-Viewing: At the end of an activity, or your program, ask each person to choose a quote that reminds them of something important/significant that happened during the activity or program. Taking turns, have participants share his or her quote and the meaning it has for them.

Blind Find Reviewing: (after an activity or program) Set the cards out with the quote sides facing down for this one. At the end of an activity, or your program, ask each person to choose a card that is intuitively “speaking” to them – like picking that fortune cookie that speaks to you. After reading their card each participant is asked to interpret the meaning of his or her quote in relation to the activity just completed (or the overall program) and any relevant learning it may hold. Taking turns, have participants share their quotes and the interpretations. If a participant is struggling to interpret his or her quote it can be opened up to the group for its possible – at-the-time – meaning.

Facilitation Notes: The first opportunity I had to put out my complete set (at the time, 52 cards) I found my group more interested in discovering all the quotes than they were at choosing a quote related to their experience. In retrospect there was just too much information to choose from. Minimizing the choices (32 cards) seems to lend more focus to the task.

Be Well!!

Chris Cavert, Ed.D.

Onimod Challenges (from Sam Sikes)

11/20/2020

NOTE 1: This is an updated post. After some clarification, the directions for all puzzles included in this post are clear. There was some mis-information in the original post.

NOTE 2: This activity can be done face-to-face (i.e., mask-to-mask), just keep an eye on spacing. It can also be played virtually. See below for details.

Onimod (Domino spelled backwards) is an interactive problem solver from Sam Sikes, found in his, Executive Marbles and Other Team Building Activities book. (And, there are lots of other fun things to do with dominos. For example, I pick a domino out of the 'hat' - it's a 2|5 combination. Everyone else picks too. Then, we pair up. I share things about myself equal to a number on my domino - I can say, 2, 5 or 7 (2+5=) things about myself. [What number did you choose and why? Good processing question.] My partner shares with me. After, we exchange dominos, then go off to find another partner to talk with...)

For the Onimod Challenges, you'll need a Double-Six set - 28 dominos. (If you don't have a set, I've included a downloadable one for you you below - just print, cut out and play.)

Here are the Challenges:
14 to 28 Players (Using 28 Dominos)
Give out 1 or 2 domino tiles to each player. Moving the dominoes end-to-end, while players are holding their domino(s), all 28 dominos can link in one long line. The dominos will also connect into a circle (the long line may end up working as a circle, or another solution is possible). Try solving the puzzle both ways.

10 to 21 Players (Using 21 Dominos)
First: Remove all the doubles - this includes the double zero. Give out one or two domino tiles to each player. The 21 dominos will all link into a circle.

7 to 15 Players (Using 15 Dominos)
First: Remove all the doubles, including the double zero, and all the dominos with a six. Thirteen dominos will always link in a line and leave two dominos (players) unlinked.

Extra Challenge: After finding the first solution, find another solution that includes the first two unlinked players (dominos) - in the second solution, two different players will be unlinked.

5 to 10 Players (Using 10 Dominos)
First: Remove the doubles, including the double zero, and the dominos with sixes and fives. The 10 dominos will always link into a circle.

Here's a set of Double-Sixes if you don't have one handy:

domino_double-six_set.pdf
File Size:	38 kb
File Type:	pdf

Virtual Application
I think a small group can work on the Onimod challenges in a platform like Mural.co or Google Jamboard (if you need help finding these, let me know).

First, you'll need to 'image capture' each of the 28 dominos (from the PDF download above) and then create (import each domino image) onto a Canvas (Mural) or Slide (Jamboard) with the number and kind of dominos required for the particular challenge. (I'd say hold off on the 15-domino challenge until we have an answer!? Or, not.....)

Then, get each group to the place where they can move around their own set of domino tiles.

If you go for it, let me know how it works out!!

Be well my friend! And please, be kind - we sure need it....

Chris Cavert, Ed.D.

Life Skills Memory Match (Set 1 & Set 2) Print-N-Play

10/30/2020

You know those times when you go into a situation with no real expectations and you come out the other side saying, "That was really fun!" Well, I had one of those experiences with Karen Whittaker and some of the Base Camp Challenge Center staff recently. Karen reached out and wanted to give back to the community of Fun Followers that we are. We set up a ZOOM call and I expected that Karen and I were going to simply talk out some of the activities they use during their programs. Well, "little did he know..." (movie reference)...I was surprised with a small group ready to play and 'show' me the activities. Needless to say, I learned a lot from these amazing educators! (Thank you my friends!!)

Life Skills Memory Match is one of the (processing) activities they shared - one I knew I could get out to you right away (and I know how much some of you like the print-n-plays!). The Base Camp Challenge Center (among other things) team builds with high school ages. During their programs they align activities with the Michigan Technical Education Essential Standards, what we can call life skills. Karen and the staff work from a specific list of traits and skills they can address based on the standards. Life Skills Memory Match is most often used as a processing activity at the end of a series of high school student programs to review many of the traits and skills the students learned and practiced while at the Base Camp Challenge Center.

Karen provided us with two sets of Memory Match activities (downloads below). Each set includes an answer key. She shared with me that a 4 by 5 grid is a good size to work with - more choices takes longer. And, there is certainly the option to mix the pairs from each set to make another 'set' - just be sure you have an answer sheet for your new set. Thinking through this resource, if I have the same group over different days (like the Base Camp groups), I would put a set of memory match cards together to review the traits and skills we practiced during different parts of the program (e.g. after the second program of four). Then, as a final processing activity I'd put a game together with the most relevant pairs to review in the mix. Lots of potential versions to create with this one.

Basic Play for Life Skills Memory Match
Karen provide a set of the Memory Match directions (at right). The directions outline a competitive way to play with a review of the pairs after the 'match.' And, I like how it says, "You can allow a team to match 'wrong' as long as they can tell you why they think the cards match, then..."

basicmemorymatch_directions_competiiotn.pdf
File Size:	104 kb
File Type:	pdf

Of course, you can also play cooperatively and work together to find the matches (...as long as they can tell you why...). When a positive match is found, take a moment to reflect on the learning behind the match. Then, continue to search for the next combination.)

Set Up
As Karen shared, a good size for play is a 4 by 5 grid of cards (10 pairs to find). NOTE: I set up the example images in Google Slides with 'covers' over the cards (and yes, we could play virtually). Please consider the covers to be the backs of a cards so we'll 'flip' the card over, uncovering it in Slides.

Play
Two players go to the grid, either from the same team, if competing, or from the group if playing cooperatively. Each player turns over a card...

If the cards do not match (and the group cannot "tell you why" they match), the cards are flipped back over (words down - you might need to include this specific phrasing due to the creative nature of some groups - what is a flip?).

If the cards do match (correct answer or a good reason why), the 'team' pulls the pair out and play continues (same team plays again, or next team goes? Up to you....), or (as I - Chris - might play), we would take some time to talk about the significance of the pair then take the cards out of the grid, place them off to the side and continue playing. (I like the idea of taking the found pairs out of the grid so it doesn't become distracting as other pairs are found.)

Most of us have played a 'Matching' game of some sort, so I'm guessing you know how it plays out over the long run. Be sure to adapt the game to meet your specific needs. Does the grid need to be a 'square/rectangle' grid? No. Could I have some 'distracter' cards in the mix? Yes. Can my grid contain more cards? Yes. Can we jump up and down in celebration when we find a match? Yes!! Reviewing our learning is an important part of what we do as team builders. Make it the best for your situation.

Another BIG THANKS to Karen and her colleagues for taking the time to share with us. And, there is more on the way from these amazing educators.

Here are the downloads:

lifeskills_memorymatch_set1.pdf
File Size:	410 kb
File Type:	pdf

lifeskillsmemorymatch_answersheet_set1.pdf
File Size:	104 kb
File Type:	pdf

lifeskills_memorymatch_set2.pdf
File Size:	479 kb
File Type:	pdf

lifeskills_memorymatch_answersheet_set2.pdf
File Size:	140 kb
File Type:	pdf

NOTE: If you have any questions about the content in the Sets, email: chris@onteambuilding.com

Be well my friend!

Chris Cavert, Ed.D.

LOOPS: Toxic Waste Removal (with Video)

9/17/2020

Back in April 2019, I posted, 'P-Cord Loop Activities' shared by Andrew Bogue and Ben Vanderzyden. At this first post you'll find the video, 'Ball Game with Ropes' and the 'Let's Get Loopy' PDF ebook with several p-cord loop initiative. After I became aware of the super-fun activities using 'loops' I put my kit together (p-cord loops and inflatable vinyl orbs), ready to play. Then everything slowed down in the early months of 2020. However, just before all programming stopped, I was able to get some film with some of my facilitator friends trying Loops: Toxic Waste Removal (video below).

At this moment in history, team builders are starting to get back out, face-to-face with groups. I think this one will be great for this transition time of team building while safely distancing.

Toxic Waste Removal plays well with 10 to 16 players per set-up. You'll be pairing up participants. Each pair will need one 'Loop' - a 25-foot length of p-cord tied together with a double fisherman's (Barrel) knot. (You'll see the details in the video.)

The Basic Set-Up: You'll need an 8-foot by 8-foot square of rope (webbing or tape) and a container (the grey circle in the graphic) in the center of the square. Then set out eight game spots about 10 to 15 feet away from the square in different areas. Place an orb on each game spot. I found some vinyl inflatable orbs (playground balls) about 6-inches in diameter at a local Dollar Store. Dodgeball-type orbs are really good as well. (Tennis balls work too, but these are more challenging to move.)

Objective: The specialists (your group), are tasked to move all the radioactive orbs (ROs) into the protective container located inside the quarantined square.

Procedures:

The ROs may only be touched by the Loops.
If an RO touches one of the specialists, this person must stand perfectly still for 60-seconds so the radio waves do not move through the skin into the blood stream.
When a pair of specialists is moving an RO they may not move their feet (too much risk of contamination).
If an RO is dropped to the ground, another pair of specialists must take over moving this RO. (The pair that dropped the RO must evacuate the area around the RO to avoid the immediate pulse of radio waves.)
If an RO is dropped inside the 8 by 8-foot containment area (the rope square), any pair can pick up this RO using their loop.
ROs may not be rolled, on purpose, along the ground (or floor) - this causes an excess of radio waves to be released and may lead to a complete evacuation of the specialist team and all of the local inhabitance.
In order to avoid a complete evacuation of the local inhabitance, you must safely contain all the ROs within ______ minutes. (You will need to decide a fair, but challenging, time for the goal.)
DISTANCING RULE: (If needed) Specialists must stay at least 6-feet away from each other to provide enough room for the slow leak of radio waves to pass between each other. (You will need to decide how this will be monitored.)

Facilitator Notes: One of the main facilitated objectives I see with this activity is the opportunity to learn and practice a skill set, and then put this skill set to use. (And then be able to process how this experience was for the participants.) In the video (below), you will see the group initially learning about and practicing the use of the p-cord loops. (FYI: This video was taken pre-COVID, so we were not concerned with distancing and waring masks.) Then, they jump in to move the ROs to safety. Not as easy as it sounds.

This activity is still in Beta Testing mode. I have yet to play a full round of moving 8 ROs - I'm guessing this can take a while depending on how long you let the group practice and how far the ROs are placed from the square. When you can, get out there and try this one (and some of the others shared in the Let's Get Loopy PDF). Let us know how it goes!

All the best,

Chris Cavert, Ed.D.

Through the Hoop (While Safely Distancing)

9/3/2020

Our friend Neil Mercer (On Board, Pressure Cooker 2.0, Microphone Introductions) from Israel sent in another activity for us to work on/with - one that can be done while safely distancing. He sent us a note:

I was rummaging through my game files and came across another of those activities from the meandering mind of Neil Mercer, that I’d written down but never actually brought to fruition. It seems as though it was just biding its time and waiting for its moment! I’ve attached my instructions – both for facilitator and participant on one sheet [PDF Download below]. I’ve played it a couple of times which went quite well. Some other colleagues of mine have also used it. Please let me know what you think of it.
Wishing you well and keep safe,
Neil

Here are the original directions for 'Just One Step' from Neil:

just_one_step_mercer_2020.pdf
File Size:	117 kb
File Type:	pdf

Shortly after he sent the directions, he followed up with a change:

I think that one step is actually not enough. So each participant is allowed two steps – which includes the step needed to pass through the hoop. Of course, the name of the task thus becomes, JUST TWO STEPS. As the facilitator, it’s important to be strict regarding the rules of touching the hoop or it touching the ground –otherwise, the task will be too easy. Furthermore, we should be sensitive regarding the size of the hoop and the self-perceived size of the participants. Perhaps having a larger hoop available would be wise.
N

[NOTE from Chris: I really like how Neil just gets things out there, shares it, asks for feedback, refines it and lets us all join in on the discovery. If we wait to share until something is "just right" (i.e., perfect), it may never reach the helpful hands of others.]

An Exercise in Variation (from Chris)

After Neil sent me, Just Two Steps, I took a little time to let it simmer. He left his directions pretty wide open for interpretation - something I like to do as well when I start building on an idea. I decided I wanted more specific Rules and less restriction on movement. One of my preferences when creating an activity, one that works for me, is to have as much moving around as possible (minimizing 'wait' time). So, here's what I came up with:

Preparations: Use a large diameter hula hoop (being mindful of Neil's second email) and three lengths of rope or p-cord about 4-feet (1 meter) long. (If you use a length of webbing as the 'hoop' use four lengths of rope to make the webbing form a square hoop.) Tie the ropes to the hoop so the 'hoop apparatus' (HA) looks like the configuration in the diagram above. Tie an overhand on a bite at the end of each rope to create a small loop 'handle'. Set down the HA among the spots.

Set out games spots, like illustrated in the diagram above, at a distance mandated by the distancing procedures you are following (e.g., all spots are 6 feet from any other spot). In the diagram, there are 15 spots for a group of 12 participants - if you add more spots, the activity will be a little easier.

Directions:

PPE: Since participants may be passing within 6-feet of each other (and maybe closer), masks might be required - LOPs. Also, providing hand sanitizer or, at least, one rubber glove (holding the rope) might be recommended as well - LOPs. (At least 6 participants will be touching the ends of the ropes.)
Ask everyone to stand, by themselves, on a spot.
Safety Protocol: Everyone should do their best to stay '6 feet' away (LOPs) from each other. If someone sees they are too close to someone else, he/she is free to move and occupy an open spot in a different area.
OPTIONAL RULE (it will make the activity a bit more challenging) Participants are allowed to move to a different spot as long as no one is touching the Hoop Apparatus - see Rules below.
Objective: Everyone must pass completely through the hoop. This will be a timed activity - time starts movement on "Go" and stops after the last person goes 'Through the Hoop' and everyone is standing on a spot.
Hoop Apparatus (HA) Movers can move anywhere within the activity area - they don't need to stand on a spot while they are manipulating the HA.
After a participant passes through the hoop (completely), the HA Movers set down the HA in the playing area and move to, and stand on, an open spot. The HA is now ready for another group to pick it up the get someone else through. (HA Movers may not move the hoop over two or more people in a row. They can come back to be a Mover after another group of Movers passes someone through.)

Rules:

Participants cannot make physical contact with the hoop.
The HA Movers can only manipulate the ropes by holding the loop handle at the end of the rope - no other part of the rope may be touched.
HA Movers may not touch any part of the HA until all non-hoop movers are standing on a spot.
Non-HA Movers are required to pass through the hoop completely - the hoop can start at the feet and be lifted up over the head or the hoop can start at the head and go down past the feet.
All participants are required to keep at least one foot on his/her spot at all times while going through the hoop - any part of a foot on any part of the spot.

If a Rule is broken, 10 seconds is added to the overall group time. (Who will be responsible for keeping track of Rule violations?)

Here is some of my thinking about this version:

It's okay for the hoop (and ropes) to touch the ground - keeping the hoop off the ground would require more ropes for the change-over and might bring participants close together.
Forcing the HA Movers to change out after each 'through the hoop' provides more opportunities for other participants to be active and assume the 'risk' of moving the hoop over someone.
Not touching the HA until everyone else is on a spot opens up some strategic planning opportunities (e.g., the HA Movers place the hoop down 'over' an empty spot after moving the hoop over someone. Then, a participant runs to the spot inside the hoop, ready for the new Movers to bring the hoop up and over).
With all the specific rules, there is an opportunity for the group to create a number of roles and responsibilities during the task - and some will change for participants depending on how much they want to take on. There is more to do for more people.

Give your group the opportunity to try this one a few times in order to improve.

Through the Hoop does have some proximity risk and sharing equipment (ropes). So, you will have to run this through your current LOPs to determine if this activity can be used. I like the dynamics of it and the opportunity to try it a few times in order to improve. And, what will the group decide to improve upon? A process goal (e.g., keep safely distanced) or a product goal (e.g., a better time)? Or, both?

I hope you get to try this one. Let us know how it goes. Leave a Comment below.

All the best,

Neil & Chris

Not In the (Playing) Cards

5/13/2020

This is another activity for in-person team building while safely distancing. (Circle Around - the last FUNdoing blog post - is another safe distancing activity to consider.) Request: If you have an activity in mind that can be done while 'safe distancing' please let us know through the Comments so we can all be ready for the transition.

Set Up
Not In the Cards will probably play well with 8 to 12 participants (so far, this one is just an idea). Using a 50-foot activity rope (about that length), set down a square or circle (or whatever shape you want, really) and put out a game spots, one for each participant, around the outside of the shape - set the spots six feet apart from each other (or whatever your distancing LOPs require). (The Set Up above is for 12 participants.)

Setting out 48 Cards: In the picture above, I've set out 48 cards so there are a bunch overlapping - this could be a more challenging set up? An easier array (?) would be to not overlap any cards. Before laying down the cards, take out one card from each suit and set them aside - you'll need to do some prep with these four cards in a moment. If you plan to overlap, be sure to leave enough of each card showing so the rank and suit can be identified.

The other 4 Cards: The four cards you removed from the deck are needed for the second half of the challenge ahead. You need to come up with four mathematical formulas with these numbers that result in (the sums are) different numbers - keep these formulas with you during the activity. For example, say you pulled out a 3, 5, 8 & 10. One number you could use is 26 - if you add the four numbers together. Now, you need three other formulas with these same four numbers. Your others could be: 72, 13 & 10 (Challenge: Find the formulas I used to get these numbers?) (This part of the challenge was inspired by the activity, Get 20, from Playing with a Full Deck by Michelle Cummings.)

Before you can play, you'll need some paper and and markers (you could also use four small white boards and appropriate markers for these). If you have access to clip boards, grab four of those as well. Take four pieces of paper and the four 'sum' numbers you have figured (using the four cards you removed from the deck). Write one number on each piece of paper - a different number on each piece. (Using the example numbers above, one piece of paper will have the number 26, another piece will have 72, another 13, and the fourth piece of paper will have a 10.) Place theses papers nearby, separated from each other, along with a marker (recently sterilized) for each piece of paper. (Make sure you are following your safety protocols for using equipment/supples - if needed.)

Procedures for Play

Gather your group around to give them the directions. Be sure you are not too close to the cards/spots set up - you don't want the group to see the cards just yet.
Tell them there are two parts to the challenge. The first part is to identify the cards that are missing from the pool of cards. [Optional: You can tell them how many are missing, or you can leave this out - leaving this fact out can create other great things to discuss.]
While working to identify the missing cards, participants must be standing on their own game spot - the spots may not be moved and no one is allowed inside the rope shape.
When the group has identified all of the missing cards they can ask you for access to the four 'math problems' - this is the second part of the challenge.
Before accessing the math problems (the four pieces of paper and markers), the group (along with your guidance) will need to decide how they will safely retrieve and use the supplies as a group.
For the second challenge, the group will need to come up with a mathematical formula that will equal the number on each page, using the numbers on the cards that they determined are missing from the pool. (NOTE: The group might find others ways, than yours, to 'solve' for the number. This is okay. Keep your formulas handy in case you need to provide proof of a formula.)
When the group understands the two-part challenge, tell them, "When everyone is ready, you can go over to the activity set up and begin."

Facilitation Notes
To reiterate, this activity is still conceptual in nature - no play data yet. So, help me think through this. One of the main facilitated objectives for this activity is to see how the group manages to work through the challenges while safely distancing (based on what you have set up with the group about this). These are some of the questions I'm thinking I could ask a group about this experience:

Was 'everyone' ready before you went over to the game area? How did you know if everyone was ready?
Did any planning take place before you started or did you 'jump' right in? What are your thoughts about this?
What role or responsibility did you have for the first part of the challenge? Did anyone not have a role or responsibility? How did this happen? What are your thoughts about this situation?
What was your 'process' for discovering the missing cards? Or, was it something other than a process? How did it work out?
Did you discover all the missing cards? Did you discover too many missing cards? Not enough? Did you have a plan for 'checking' your findings? If so, how did the plan work out? If you did not have a plan, would you consider anything else the next time you are tasked to do something similar?
How did your 'safety' planning go before you obtained the math problems? What was good about it? What could have been better?
If you are willing to share, what is your take on the second part of the challenge - solving the math problems. What worked for you? What did not work for you?
Did you feel like you contributed to the process of solving the math problems? What part did you play? If you didn't feel you helped in any way, what prevented you from helping? Could you have done anything differently?
How successful were you as a group in solving the challenges - gold, silver or bronze medal? If you didn't get the gold, what was missing? The team that did win the gold, what did they do differently than you?
If you were to make a bumper sticker that said something about this experience, what would it say? (Remember, there is not a lot of room on a bumper sticker.)

Considerations

The size of the cards can change the experience.
(Reminder) The spacing of the cards can change the experience.
The size of the rope shape (and the shape) can change the experience.
The number of cards you remove from the deck can vary - maybe only three or maybe six. Maybe from only one or two suits?
Assigning participants to roles can influence dynamics. For example: Assign four 'quiet' people to have and write on the paper; Assign two leaders to 'lead' the first challenge, two different people for the safety transition and then two others for the second part of the challenge.

Let us know what you think. Let's make this one better together. Share in the Comments or send me (Chris) and email.

All the best!

Chris Cavert, Ed.D.

April Challenge Week (Experiential Learning)

4/13/2020

5 Days, 5 Challenges - some you may know, others will be new. The theme is learning, teaching and then using our new-found skills and abilities in new situations. How will you challenge yourself? (Have FUN this week and don't forget, kindness goes a long way.)

Challenge #5: Overhand Cuff Links

This final challenge for the week is a tricky one (actually, tricky two). No magic involved, I promise. (I lost track of the source for this one - pretty sure I saw it online somewhere. Since I don't know the name for this challenge I could not re-find it. If you know a source please share. Thanks.) Challenge On!

Challenge #4: Double Jump Six Count

I have not seen a specific reference to this activity - someone taught it to me years ago at a conference. Thank You, Someone!

Challenge #3: Six Count

Six Count can be found in, Executive Marbles and Other Team Building Activities, by Sam Sikes (1998). Sam says, "This is a good, quick icebreaker that stretches people's minds and smile muscles." Six Count has become so much more since - it's about moving through the discomfort of challenge and failure. It's about sticking to it, even if it's not easy.

You can find Six-Count to Competence (what I called, Synchronized Six Count in the video) in, The More The Merrier. Here are some of the Discussion/Questions from the book: What were some of the strategies your group used to learn Six-Count? What made the activity difficult? How did you, as a group, overcome the difficulties? In what ways is Six-Count like other things you do?

Challenge #2: Pencil/Pen Turning

A write up for Pencil Turning (or, Pen Flip) can be found in, The More The Merrier, by Sikes, Evans & Cavert (2007). One Facilitator Note from the books says, "The wonderful thing about this activity is that both hands have to work together to accomplish the task." Discussion/Questions include: What makes this activity difficult? What helped the most to find a solution? How is this activity like our interactions with each other?

Challenge #1: Wiggle-Waggle (with a special cameo guest!)

The most recent description of Wiggle-Waggle is found in, FUNN 'N Games by Karl Rohnke, 2004. (I believe, Wiggle-Waggle made its first appearance in Rohnke's, FUNN Stuff, Vol. 3 1998). You'll see the original mode of play in the video (along with two additional ways to Waggle), but there are more versions of play in the book:

Digital Wiggle-Waggle - Big circle of players. Each player connects (e.g., point at one another) with another person across from him/her - essentially pairing up. "On the signal each person walks toward [his/her] partner and attempts a double (both hands) Wiggle-Waggle."
Blind Wiggle-Waggle - Pairs are divided in half, each half moves to one side or the other of the playing area - not too far apart. All players close their eyes (by choice). With bumpers up, partners move towards each other, communicating freely. When pairs meet, Wiggle-Waggle - eyes can open when successfully Waggled.
Electronic (Virtual) Wiggle-Waggle - "Call a friend on the phone [or ZOOM call them] and try to verbalize what needs to be done to reach a satisfying level of solo completion."