Category: Videos

CUPple-a-Points (with Video)

1/3/2019

First and foremost, I want to thank the wonderful team building facilitators at BRIDGES for trying this activity with me (for the first time ever). And, a BIG shout out to the creative mind that gave us the name for this one. (It was fun watching you all work!)

Context Note: The footage was taken at a day-long team building facilitator training. I kept in the "learning" conversations. I thought some of you out there might benefit from the thinking that went on during this discovery process. (Alfie Kohn might call this, taking the facilitators, and you, "backstage" for some Deep Modeling as a way of learning.)

More Team Building Activities with CUPS! Check out CUP IT UP

CUPple-A-Points (here's what we have so far):

Set Up: Place 10 nested stacks of 30 cups each (300 Cups), inside a hula-hoop (or maybe even make a small box shape on the floor with tape).

Objective: Gain as many points as possible in two minutes. Every cup that is not touching the floor after two minutes earns you a point.

Directions: If you have time, and the planning dynamic is part of the group's program objective (e.g., practicing planning behaviors), allow for unlimited time to plan and practice before the first official two-minute build. If you don't have unlimited time, give them, say, three minutes to plan and practice before the first build, then maybe, two minutes before the second build and one minute before the final third build.

Note:

Round 1 Footage: Participants can be used as resources/props.
Round 2 Footage: Participants CANNOT be used as props.

Rules: (Applied to either Round 1 or 2 set up. Each round, or variation, includes three building attempts.)

After two minutes, only cups outside of the hula-hoop will count for points.
Any nested cups, one or more cups inside of each other, will not count for points.
After two minutes, all "hand" must be off the cups. Then, after three seconds, "1, 2, 3," the cups that remain off the ground can be counted for points. (It might be faster to count the cups NOT off the floor, then minus this number from 300 for the score.)
When you (the group) are ready to start an official two-minute building, let your facilitator know. The facilitator will keep time and inform you about time remaining.

To reiterate, there are two different presentation variations so far (shown in the video - they are noted as "Rounds") - one where participants CAN BE use as resources/props, and one variation where participants CANNOT be use. We tried both to get some film of each.

Also, at this time, I would choose one of the variations and take time for three two-minute building sessions in order to see how the evolution of the builds turn out. What will be "success" for the/your group?

Let us know how it goes. Leave a Comment below.

All the best,

Chris Cavert, Ed.D.

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Handshakes, Part 1 (Learning) & Part 2 (Playing) - Videos

9/20/2018

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A lot of people ask me for my favorite large group activity. "Handshakes" is always at the top of my list - especially, when I turn handshakes into an action-packed exercise, called Handshake Buddies, I learned from my good friends at Group Dynamix. (See Handshakes, Part 2 - The Game with the Shakes, below.) And the BONUS: Handshakes works with smaller groups too.

First, let's learn some fun handshakes you can use with your small and large groups (Handshakes, Part 1 video). Michelle Cummings, the Big Wheel at Training-Wheels.com and me (Chris Cavert, from FUNdoing.com) got together to film some of our favorites. Here's the list:

The Basic (Right-Handed) Handshake
The High Five (more of a "connection" than a shake, but you're okay with it!)
The Fist Bump (another "connection")
The Fisherman's Handshake and the Double Fisherman's variation
The Rodeo Handshake
The Lumberjack Handshake
The Caterpillar Handshake
The Moose Handshake
The Heartbeat Handshake
The Dairy Farmer Handshake

I'm guessing many of you know lots more. Hopefully we've added one or two new ones for you. No matter how long your list of handshakes and connections, you can use them together in Handshake Buddies. It's a great way to mix and mingle groups at the beginning of a program. The Handshakes, Part 2 video (below) gives you a short verbal description, with some visuals. (I hope to add a group-in-play video soon). Here's a written description of how I play:

Handshake Buddies

Ask everyone to go back-to-back with someone in the group. (a group of three can work too).
Demonstrate a handshake (or connection).
When you say, "Ready, GO!" partners turn around and perform the handshake (connection) just demonstrated and then find someone new to stand back-to-back with (emphasize "someone new" - not someone they have shaken/connected with).
Now, demonstrate a new handshake/connection.
On "Ready GO!" partners turn around and perform this new handshake and then go off to perform the first shake with their first partner, then find someone new to stand back-to-back with.
Demonstrate a new handshake/connection.
On "Ready GO!" partners turn around, perform this new handshake, then go back to their second partner for their shake, then the first partner for their shake, then back-to-back with someone new.
And, the process continues.....
On the final back-to-back, you now have your group's attention so you can give them information for the next activity.

If you go through six handshakes/connections with your group, it takes about 10 minutes. I find six shakes is a good number to get everyone moving, interacting and warmed up. However, if the group is really into it, a couple more is not a bad thing. (Remember, don't over-play or the activity loses it effect.)

Extension: When I use handshakes with a group, I now have a way to partner up participants when I want to form other groupings. "Find you High Five partner!" Now I'm ready to split the group in half, work in pairs, put two pairs together to form a group of four, and so on. And, at the end of the program, when I call, "Handshake Buddies" everyone is energized as they work through all their shakes.

Have FUN out their my friends! Share your favorite handshake with us in the Comments below.

All the best,

Chris Cavert, Ed.D.

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Zig Zag (with Video)

9/6/2018

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Zig Zag is a nice "simple" team building challenge. I love it's versatility. I've used it with 3rd graders, as well as corporate adults - it's all about the tossables and the distance between the lines.

Basic Set Up: (Let's say, 8th grade students) Set down two lines of rope (or webbing) about 10 feet apart - make sure your lines are long enough to fit half the players in the group standing shoulder-to-shoulder. Players will need a little room to toss and catch. Have two dodge ball sized tossables ready for play (and, maybe a rubber chicken, just in case).

Group Size: Using two objects, I've programmed Zig Zag with 8 to 16 players. If my group is bigger, I'll add more objects or divide the group into smaller "teams" having all teams work on the same task. You can work on/talk about competitive and/or cooperative behavior dynamics.

Challenge: Get the objects in play through the two lines of players as quickly as possible.

Rules:

One object starts in each line.
An object must be tossed by a player from one line to a player in the other line.
All players in the game are required to toss each object at least two times.
All players in the game are required to catch each object at least two times.
If an object is dropped, the challenge is re-started.
Tosses begin when the timer says, "GO!"
Time stops after each player has tossed and caught each object at least once.

As in most timed activities, it's nice to give the group multiple attempts to "improve" their performance - whatever this looks (and sounds) like for the group. (Remember, there are "process" and "product" goals you could help the group focus on.)

Adjustments
With Younger Groups:

Move the lines closer together.
Use larger tossables like beach balls.
Roll the tossables - use volleyballs or basketballs.

With Older Groups:

Move the lines farther apart.
Use smaller objects like stress balls or tennis balls.
Use "different" objects like rubber chickens, stuffed animals or flying discs (e.g., Frisbee).
Add more tossables, for example, start a tossable at both ends of each line (4 total tossables in play) - I like to use this one to experience managing multiple tasks.

General Adjustments:

Set the lines down on angles so one end is wider than the other (e.g., >).
Start with just one tossable.

As noted above, this is (what I call) a simple team building challenge - low props and few directions. I will often use Zig Zag at the beginning of a program in order to "warm up" the group to what they will be experiencing together throughout the program.

With that said, simple does not always mean easy. I have experienced groups that breeze through the challenge, ready for more. And, I have seen groups struggle through the process because they are still working on behaviors they need to function together efficiently. That's what we're all about, right? To help our groups find the behaviors they need to function together in positive ways - ways that help, not hinder.

Let me know how it goes.

All the best,

Chris Cavert, Ed.D.

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Take Two (Face Up) w/Jumbo Bananagrams (Video)

7/19/2018

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A couple of weeks ago I posted about Take Two (Face Down) using Jumbo Bananagrams. Please head over and read through this post to get all the directions of play for this engaging game.

In Take Two (Face Up), I basically turned the game upside down - just to see what would happen. Here's how I set this one up before playing. (Again, all the additional rules you need are over at the Face Down post.)

Set Up Place all the Jumbo Bananagram letters face down in the center of the playing area - all the small groups you formed are sitting around the letters. Have one player from each small group go out into the letter pool to retrieve seven letter tiles and bring them back to his/her group - no one looks at their letters until the game begins.

Now, ask all the other players, the ones that did not choose the group's seven letter tiles, to go out into the letter pool and turn all the tiles face up - so all the letters are revealed. When this is done, all the players return to their group area.

Play The game, Take Two, as described in the Face Down post, is played the same. The difference being (obviously), players can see what's available.

What I Discovered In this first-time-ever (by me anyway) try, the Crew I filmed (below) did have the opportunity to avoid certain letters, like the Qs and Zs and I did notice some specific letter requests from team members, but not all the time. It was still pretty much a frantic dash into the letter pool. So far, the Face Up variation of the game played about the same as Face Down.

Potential The next time I try this one, I'm going to be the only one that calls, "Take Two". Each group will still have a runner and builders, but no caller (roles are described in the Face Down post). Instead of the caller, I'll introduce the role of "looker" - this player has an eye on the letter pool to inform the group about what is available.

I'll call, "Take Two" when at least one group, maybe two, has used all its letters. But I won't call right away. I want to give the group(s) time to determine what they could use from the pool. So, the idea (in my head), is to slow down the pace a bit and let the groups be a little more intentional about their process.

I'll let you know how it goes. (And, hopefully get some film.)

BIG THANKS AGAIN to Kim and her Crew for helping me capture this game on film!!

All the best,

Chris Cavert, Ed.D.

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Take Two (Face Down) w/Jumbo Bananagrams (Video)

7/5/2018

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I'm a BIG fan of JUMBO Bananagrams. I've posted about Word Building, 3 Down, and most recently the Mini Reflective Puzzle I learned from my friends Trevor and Matthew. After talking about how much fun I have playing the most traditional game using Bananagrams (small or jumbo version), I finally had the opportunity to get it on film. I know this game as, Take Two (there are a few different names for this one). I was playing take two with a set of Scrabble tiles before, the now familiar, bananagrams hit the shelves.

DETAIL NOTE: Jumbo Bananagrams are 3.5 inch vinyl squares (tiles) with letters on them - about 140 tiles. Keep an eye onAmazon, they often have them on sale. (If it's not in your budget to get the Bananagrams, make a set of 140 index card letters - be creative with colors and the numbers of each letter. Think, more vowels)

PROGRAMMING NOTE: I don't often include competitive games in my team building programs (so many other things to do), but I like the design of this one (e.g., lots of teams) and the learnings I can speak to (e.g., roles and responsibilities - this comes up in the video). And, once the basic (competitive) version of the game is understood, I can move into a couple other versions to spark some other learnings - stay tuned for more posts on these!!

Take Two

Set-Up Place all the letter tiles, face down, on the floor. Then, divide your larger group into smaller teams of 2 to 4 players. Using one set of Jumbo Bananagrams, you don't want more than eight teams and, I would say, no less than four - just to keep things interesting.

Play Send one player from each team to pick up seven letter tiles from the pool of letters - teams keep all these letters face down at their "home" spot until the game begins.

When you (the facilitator) says "GO" all teams can flip over their first seven letters. The challenge for each team is to make words out of these letters and arrange them into a Scrabble-like puzzle formation - words are spelled top-to-bottom or left-to-right. After forming the first word, the second word must be connected to the first, sharing one letter. Any other words created must be connected to at least one other letter of a word in the puzzle.

The first team to find a way to use all their letters (in one or more words, following the Scrabble-like puzzle format), shouts out, "Take Two!" (this is shouted by the "caller" - more on this below). When this is called, someone (the "runner" - more on this below) from each team must go to the letter pool and pick up two more tiles (without looking at them), and then bring them back to his/her team. Once back to the team, they can look at the letters on the tiles.

NOTE: There have been games I've facilitated where three or four minutes have gone by in the first or second rounds (teams are working with only seven or nine letters) and no one can use all their letters. When this has happens, I call, "Take Two!" so teams can get more resources to work with. So, if a round is going on too long, go ahead and call it.

Now, each team must incorporate these two new letters into their Scrabble-like puzzle. Maybe they can be added to the words already in their puzzle (e.g., adding an "S" to the end of a word). Maybe they will have to rearrange their full collection of letters to form all new words. In the end, the objective is the same. Each team must use all their letters to form words into a Scrabble-like puzzle formation.

As the game goes on, any team that uses all their letters calls out, "Take Two!" until all the tiles in the letter pool are gone. At this point, when a team uses all the letters in their possession, they call, "Done!" Done means that all word building must stop - it does not mean "game over!" Players may not touch any letter tiles when done is called, but they can still focus on their puzzle. The team that called "done" must have their words checked by the facilitator. If all words are acceptable (in most cases I play by Scrabble rules, in some cases I'm more flexible), then the call is, "Game Over - the winner is...." If there is a mistake in the puzzle, the facilitator calls, "Game On" and word building can continue until someone calls, "Done!" again. When a team can present their puzzle with acceptable words, they are declared the winners of said game. Of course, when there is time, a new game can be set up to play.

So, those are the basics!

Take Two Team Building

In the video (below) you'll be able to pick up a team building (learning) aspect of the game that I've recently incorporated. I learned this from my CrowdWords friends (see post HERE) Matthew and Trevor (noted above). When they are playing their version of Take Two (using CrowdWords cards), they assign roles and responsibilities to players. There are "builders" - players that focus on building the words in the puzzle. There are "callers" - a player who is responsible for calling out "Take Two!" with gusto. And, there is a "runner" - a player who is responsible for going to the letter pool and picking up two letter tiles and bringing them back to his/her team after "take two" is called.

As in any team task, roles and responsibilities can be shared or they can be exclusive - if you are assigned a role, that is your only responsibility. Depending on the number of players on a team, there might be enough people for each role and there might be players who take on more than one role (e.g., anyone can be a builder).

Processing When you use roles and responsibilities, you can talk about how this played out and where else this plays out for team members. What role did you take in the game and how did it influence your level of participation? Did you chose your role or did someone else choose it for you? Did players stay within the boundaries of their roles? Why? Why not? Was your role clear to you? If it wasn't clear, what did you do about it?

I also like to talk about the concepts of winning and losing - What do we learn from each concept? How do we treat our opponents? Can we have a game if we don't have competitors? What is the role of competition in our lives? Is it useful? Is it damaging? What if all competition went away, what would our lives be like? Who likes this type of (spelling) game? Why? Who does not like this kind of game? Why? What choices do we have when we're playing in a "game" we don't want to be in?

Stay Tuned for More!

In my next Blog post, I'll share a little wrinkle I tried out with Take Two right after the Crew in the video learned the basics.

Big Thanks Again to Kim the Crew for letting me film this adventure!! You're the BEST!

Keep me posted my friends.

Chris Cavert, Ed.D.

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Popper Tag Transformation (with Video)

6/14/2018

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Recently, I had the opportunity to hang out in the shadows (literally) and observe Nate Folan (he's in the light colored hat) facilitate a day-long training for a summer camp staff (I was facilitating the next day). Nate was featured a while back in a Top 10 Blog - lots of fun details and activity links.

During the training he led one of my favorite tag games, Popper Tag. Over the years I have called this one Flashback Tag. I use soft tossables or crumpled up paper (snow)balls. The idea is to toss your tossable at the backs of other players. If you hit a back (between the shoulders and the waist - no arms), you get a point. First one to 10 wins.

Okay, fast forward to 2007ish. Noodle poppers showed up on the scene. I first saw them in the book, Achieving Fitness. Popper Tag was in the "Cardio" section of the book. Poppers are basically half of a noodle chip, You can make them yourself (see the red chip in the picture). Or pick up a bucked of Noodle Bits (for a decent price as of this writing) from Flaghouse HERE (see the yellow chip/bit in the picture).

Add a Transformation Part of Nate's focus with his trainees was to emphasize different aspects of facilitation. Using Popper Tag (PT) as his experiential pathway, he introduced players to the idea of "being silly" and how this (or these) behaviors fit into building a fun caring community of learners. So, he invited each participant to "transform" into the chicken of their choice once they obtained 10 points playing PT. From a group of players to a flock of chickens. Brilliant!

Players were given a challenge and a choice to "chicken" or simply move around amongst the flock of chicken as players, one-by-one transformed. For me, it was a fabulous way to step right into a fun, crazy space. Magical! (Now, I'm not sure all the players would agree with me, but I got the lesson.) Ready to smile? Check out the action.

Have FUN out there my friends. Let me know how the transformation goes!

Chris Cavert, Ed.D.

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Connections (with Playing Cards)

5/4/2018

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The challenge of Connections is to play all the cards (in a standard deck of playing cards) using the legal moves of the game (see the moves listed in the picture to the right - I wrote them on a white board). This one plays well with 8 to 16 players (you could have more, but then it adds a bit more "waiting for your turn"). So far I've only played this one a couple times. First at a conference with high school and adult participants - they were a captive audience helping me work out some of the complexities of the game. The other, a middle school group (in the video) of 6th, 7th & 8th graders.

The Video Initially I was going to cut my footage down enough to simply understand the game. As I was editing it occurred to me that keeping all the footage would allow for more analysis of the way I worked with these middle schoolers. So, if you want to watch enough to get the idea, you only need to stay in through my introduction. Otherwise, catch as much of the 17 minutes as you can - lots of interesting interactions (you might need to turn up the volume to pick up some go the voices).

NOTE: The only part I cut out was dealing the cards. To save time, I dealt out three cards to each person, then single cards around (to the right of me) to finish up the deck.

LIGHTNING 156 As this activity unfolded for me, my first mental model was for groups to play all the cards in 156 seconds (this is what I tried with my conference captive audience). I found this task to be pretty challenging - out of six groups trying it, one got within four cards after 156 seconds. Possible? I believe so. Now I'm thinking, Connections will be a good way to lead into Lightning 156. Once a group has time to practice the game and work out some of the cooperative behaviors they will need, they should be able to beat the Lightning clock. (I'll be working towards getting some video of this level in the future.)

Keep me posted my friends.

Chris Cavert, Ed.D.

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Grand Prix Racing (a.k.a. Knot Racing) with Video

4/5/2018

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Grand Prix Racing is an activity found in, The Revised & Expanded Book of Raccoon Circles by Jim Cain & Tom Smith (pick up your copy from Training Wheels). If you don't know, a Raccoon Circle (in the Adventure Ed biz) is a length of tubular webbing around 15 feet long (see picture below) that can be used for dozens of community building exercises and discussion activities. I first learned Grand Prix Racing from Jim Cain (and he attributes his knowledge of the game to Tom Heck). I really like this one as a large group energizer. In most cases it's set up as a competitive experience, but each of the rounds are fast and fun so the competition part seems to take a back seat (and it's always something good to talk about).

A NOTE ABOUT WEBBING Tubular Webbing is recommended for Raccoon Circle activities. Flat webbing can be found as well, the kind of webbing used for belts and straps on packs and such. Flat webbing is not as friendly on the hands as tubular webbing. Yes, tubular webbing does cost more per/foot, but for team building activity use, it lasts forever (unless you expose it to toxic chemicals!). You can pick up Raccoon Circle webbing precut from Training Wheels, or at sporting goods stores that sell rock climbing gear - they can cut the webbing off the spool for you. (I'm guessing you can also find tubular webbing online.)

At the most recent National Challenge Course Symposium (NCCPS) in Boulder, Colorado, my good friend Cindy led Grand Prix during a Raccoon Circles activity workshop. With permission from the crowd (and Cindy) I was able to capture the fun.

Needs & Numbers: You'll need a little room for this one. Each small group will need enough space to form a circle around their (15-foot length) tied webbing circle. So, if you have a lot of groups, you'll need a lot of space. (You will notice spacing needs in the video.)

Set Up: Ask 6 to 8 players to stand around one of the webbing circles you've placed on the ground in the activity area (indoors or out). Then, have them pick up their circle holding it with both hands about waste level.

WARNING 1: If your group is new to webbing (or rope) circles, you might have to frontload some safety points before picking up the rope (e.g., please be mindful of others on the webbing/rope - we're not going to be pulling or tugging on the webbing/rope just yet.)

WARNING 2: Make sure your webbing pieces are all the same length - a 12 inch difference can influence race results. (Sorry Yellow team!!)

Process: Cindy does a great job preparing the group for the races - so, refer to the video for more details. I do want to add a couple more option I like to use (not in the video).

The Pit Stop: Races are a sequence of Left, Right, Left, Right patterns (which you will see). After a few races, I add the Pit Stop. For example, Left, Left, Right, Right, Pit Stop, Right, Right, Left, Left - CHEER! When a group gets to their Pit Stop, the webbing circle is set down on the ground, all the players in the group turn in place 360 degrees then pick up the circle again to complete the remainder of the race.

The Figure Eight: (The idea is credited to Tim Borton.) Add one or two races into the mix with the webbing configured into a figure eight. Consider a slow warm-up lap or two to get the dynamics of the webbing.

BE MINDFUL: Don't make the race sequences too long, it's easy to forget the requirements if there is a lot to remember.

For me, five or six races meets my energizing objective. Then, if you know a couple other webbing activities you can transition right to them.

Have FUN out there my friends, Keep me posted.

Chris Cavert, Ed.D.

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Over the Top (with Video)

2/28/2018

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My friend Barry and I put out the book, Cup It Up: Teambuilding With Cups in 2017 (paperback and digital versions) - and we're not done coming up with more. My Crew friends helped me work through my thoughts and get some video (below) on this activity, so a BIG THANKS goes out to them!!

FYI: If you haven't seen it yet, there is another cup activity (not found in the Cup It Up book), Flip Flop Tower (with Video) I posted here on the FUNdoing blog back in 2016.

Over the Top can be played indoors or out - as long as you have a stable surface to place the 9-Grid set of cups. I developed this activity with the mind-set (facilitated objective) of focusing discussions around "roles and responsibilities". Of course, there can be other objectives planned. I also wanted to see what would happen with limited directions (listed below). Also, of course, you can add more directions to make the expectations clearer. (One of my mantras: More directions, less creative freedom.) Okay, let's go!

Needs: For every small group of 5 to 7 players, you need 1 Small Bowl, 9 Ping Pong Balls, 12 Cups and a timing device.

Set Up: Divide your bigger group into smaller groups of 5 to 7 players. Give each small group the needed equipment.

At this time, these are the only directions I provide (what I consider to be the fewest directions needed). You are (as always) free to add, subtract and change things to meet the needs of your groups.

Directions:

The Objective: Move all nine ping pong balls from the bowl into the 9-grid of cups as quickly as possible.
The bowl with 9 ping pong balls will be the starting point and a 3 by 3 grid of cups will be the finishing point of your activity. [You might want to set up a set of cups so the teams know what it looks like.]
During ping pong ball movement, all players must be in-between the starting and finishing points.
All players are required to take part in moving each of the nine point pong balls.
The other three cups available are to be used to move the ping pong balls from player to player.
The first player can pick up and move one ping pong ball at a time.
The last player is responsible for getting the ping pong ball into the 9-grid of cups.
Ping pong balls are transferred from player to player overhead - the cup with the ping pong ball goes overhead and the player pours the ball into the cup of the player behind him/her. This process continues until the last player who is responsible for getting one ping pong ball into each cup.
Someone in each group will be required to time each attempt made. Time starts when your facilitator says, "GO" - the first ping-pong ball can then be picked up. Time stops when there is one ping pong ball inside each of the 9-grid cups.

Notes: I give myself enough time on this activity for groups to make at least three attempts in order to improve their process (i.e., get a better time). I will start each attempt so each group begins at the same time - each group's timer starts their time when I say "GO". Then, they are responsible for stopping their time when there is one ping pong ball in each of the nine cups in the 3 by 3 grid.

After each attempt, I lead a discussion about the different roles and responsibilities taking place in each group and what's important to know about each of the roles. We also talk more about the responsibilities of each person (in their role) and how they are able to manage their time - what can save time and what they focus on in order to save time. In general, we also talk about what's been working for the group and what they might want to do differently before the next attempt.

When appropriate, I also will graph the times for each group so that we can collect data from the process. This data could lead to some collaborative sharing of ideas.

Finally, before each attempt, I will encourage players to change roles if people want to experiment with other responsibilities.

Things to Consider:

Add the Rule - If a ping pong ball touches the floor/ground, it must go back into the starting bowl.
Have one cup for every participant.
Establish the distance between the bowl and the 9-grid so players will need to leap frog to the back of the group to keep the ping pong balls going.

Let me know how it goes out there my friends. How do we make it better?

All the best,

Chris Cavert, Ed.D.

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Trolley Obstacles (with Video)

1/17/2018

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I'm a big fan of Trolleys. The earliest description of this team coordination activity that I could find is in The Bottomless Bag by Karl Rohnke (1988). Classic Trolleys are built with 4 inch by 4 inch boards and rope (my favorite type is retired 11 mm climbing rope). Three quarter inch holes are drilled into the boards about 12 inches apart and counter sunk on the bottom side so when the rope, knotted on one end, is pulled through the holes (up from the bottom) the knot becomes lodged up inside the counter sunk hole. With the knot up out of the way the Trolley will remain flat on the bottom for easy maneuvering.

I've seen Trolleys made for three and on up to 12 participants. No matter how long you make them, be sure you have a place to store them. Here's a picture of "The Trolley Tree" - a solution for storing 12 participant Trolleys (somewhat) out of the way - near the open field where they are most often used.

When I first started using Trolleys the idea was to move your Trolley team from point A to point B as safely and efficiently as possible. In many instances there were multiple Trolleys moving across to the final destination at the same time. Now, when I program Trolleys I never tell my multiple Trolley teams they are racing, but we all know how this ends up! Nowadays, more often than not, I like to add some challenging obstacles to the Trolley travels.

Using colorful game spots (or any other flat prop - please don't use three-three-dimentional obstacles. Trolley boards will be unstable if set down upon the 3-D object), I can place them in a random or straight pattern. If the Trolley touches a spot during the crossing the team is required to stop all movement. Then, each person on the team must circumnavigate their Trolley boards, get back on and continue their movement. (If a participant touches the floor/ground during this Trolley obstacle variation I only require the team to stop until everyone is on the boards - all feet must be on the boards for them to work.)

Placing the spots in more-or-less of a straight line is very similar to Trolleying The Line (below). If you place the spots close together the best (safest) way to avoid the spots is to turn sideways and then lift one Trolley board at a time to clear the spots (you'll see this strategy in the video below). (Consider this: If a Trolley team decides to walk right over the spots (a viable option), every time a Trolley board is lifted and then set on a spot, participants must make their 360 trek around their Trolleys. It's one way to do it, but it takes a while.)

Trolleying The Line (video below):
This is my most recent favorite Trolley challenge - clean and simple. Start the Trolley teams about 20 feet from a long line laid down on the floor/ground (use tape on the floor and a rope outside in the grass - you want to avoid a line the Trolleys could "roll" on. This could cause some added speed to the Trolleys you might want to avoid).

Once the teams know the objective, "Get your team across to the finish area without the Trolley boards touching the line that is in your path" (more rules below), they can orientate their starting position any way. (You will see in the video that two teams decided to start sideways and one starting in the perpendicular position - this is the team that made it to the finish area the fastest. Both strategies are worthy of study.)

Trolleying The Line Set-Up:
The "Journey Area" is 40 feet wide. Set down your tape (indoors) or rope (outdoors in the grass), 20 feet from the starting line. Clearly mark the starting and finishing lines with cones on either end of the invisible line (between the cones).

Trolleying The Line Rules:

Once the first Trolley board crosses over the starting line, your team is "In Play".
Once in play, participants are not allowed to touch the floor/ground. If someone from your team touches the ground, all Trolley movement stops. Your entire team must step off the Trolley boards and move around your boards 360 degrees before you can get back on the boards and continue movement towards the finishing area.
If a Trolley board (or boards) touch the line that is in your path your team must stop all movement, step off the boards, carry the boards back the starting area and begin your journey again.
To complete the journey your team must move both Trolley boards completely over the finishing line (ending up in the finishing area.
All teams will get two attempts to cross the 40 foot expanse. Each attempt will be timed. The additional challenge is to see if you can improve your process and record a faster time for the second attempt.

Below is a picture of the Trolley Team's start and a video of how it plays out. (Note: Before the first journey across the expanse, I had the teams practice moving the Trolleys together for about 10 minutes. I did not tell them about the Trolleying The Line challenge until they were done practicing - this is when two teams decided to start sideways, even though they did not practice going sideways - good stuff to talk about!)