Blog Posts

What Can You Get? (A Spider Web Variation)

6/6/2019

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The Spider Web is a common low element on every challenge course I've been a part of and I've seen a variety of fun variations along the way (e.g., string an activity rope through all the holes without the rope touching the web). I came up with "What Can You Get" recently (in my area of the world) and I have used it ever since.

Why I like this one:

It provides everyone in the group an opportunity to contribute (points) to the challenge /task.
Everyone chooses his/her Web opening based on what they believe they can can do, either on their own or with the help of the group - so, there is an option for those who want to try going through the Web on their own. (This honors everyones level of comfort).
The process allows for multiple attempts in order to reach the groups full potential - reach the highest score they know they can accomplish. A nice goal setting opportunity.

My Process So Far:

Before my program starts I draw a quick outline of the Spider Web at the course I'm working on and then assign a point value to each usable hole (as shown in one of my more recent drawings above - always on my program outline/list of activities I plan to use).
When (and if I want to use it) I bring my group to the Spider Web and ask them what they believe they need to accomplish for this challenge. They pretty much figure out they have to go through the Web to the other side. And, someone usually guesses people have to be lifted through the upper holes.
(Note: I have not gone though a lift sequence with them, yet.)
I confirm their guess(es), that reaching the other side is the objective, but each person has the option to decide how to get there.
I show them the numbered scoring map of the Spider Web. I ask them, how many points, as a group, they believe they can acquire getting to the other side? (What Can You Get?) Each person in the group 'gets' to choose for themselves, how many points they believe they can contribute to the group's score on their first attempt. Any hole can be used more than once, however, if a string is touched during an attempt to go through a hole, the person going through will only receive 5 points for trying. Then I tell them, they (the group) will have the opportunity to make another attempt if they all agree to do so.
Once the group begins their process, anyone can change his/her hole preference - either a higher, lower, or the same score. (Once they see how the group is performing together they might want to pick an easier or more challenging hole.)
After the group score/goal is established, I let them start. If someone in the group is willing to be lifted through any of the holes, I will then teach them my expectations of lifting each other, and we will do some skill development training/practice before going through the Web. (In my experience, there have been two groups, so far, that did not choose to use the higher holes - and they were alright with this. We had a good conversations with both groups about why they chose what they did.)
As always with the Spider Web, I placed myself in critical spotting areas as they worked in order to keep my hands near the person being lifted.
After the first attempt, we find out the score. They can meet their goal, exceed their goal or fall short. We have a conversation about where they ended up.
After the processing, I ask them if they would like another attempt in order to improve their score or do they think this is the best score they want to accept at this time? We work through each person's choice and honor what we hear. We then make another Web attempt or move on to the next activity.

If you give this one a try, let me know how it goes and if you make any changes or additions.

All the best! Have FUN out there my friends.

Chris Cavert, Ed.D.

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Hooper Dooper (Revisited)

5/23/2019

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Back in 2015, I posted HOOPER - a variation of the activity 60 in 60 (found in, The More The Merrier by Sikes, Evans & Cavert). Recently I found some video footage of Hooper and updated the self-directed handout (download below), so I thought I'd 'revisit' this fun activity with a new post.

I've played this one with middle school age groups and older. So far, 12 groups in play is the most I've tried this with.

The Basics:

Hooper Dooper is meant to be a self-directed activity for one or more small groups of five to six players.
Provide one hula hoop, one inflated beach ball and the directions to each group.
Set a planning and practice time for all groups in play - for the first planning and practice time, I give them 10 minutes. Then, only three minutes before any other additional game. (I usually provide time for three games - scoring attempts.) All groups plan and practice at the same time.
Set an 'Official Game' time - I also refer to this as a 'Scoring Attempt'. Depending on group objectives, a short game is two minutes, a long game is four minutes (long games are usually for groups working on that stick-to-it/grit objective). All groups play the Official Game at the same time - all groups are on the same clock held by the facilitator.

I love using this activity when there are lots of groups in play. We have great conversations about:

Where ideas came from - were ideas 'stolen' from others?
Did any collaboration take place?
How did groups spent their planning and practice time.
If a plan was made, did groups stick with it or change it in progress, and why?
What distraction happened and how did groups deal with them?
Did each group follow the directions (especially the one where each player take turns hitting the ball).

Here is the handout:

hooperdooper_guidelines.pdf
File Size:	39 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

Let me know how it goes for you!

All the best,

Chris Cavert, Ed.D.

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Stepping Stones 3.0 (A Historical Journey)

5/10/2019

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Stepping Stones 1.0
I've been using Stepping Stones (introduced to me as Magic Stones) since I learned it during my first Project Adventure workshop in the early 90s. Diving into my library, the earliest write-up I could find is in Karl Rohnke's, The Bottomless Bag (1991). (FYI: This book is a compilation of activities Karl shared through, The Bottomless Bag (paper) Newsletter he wrote, 'mimeographed' and sent out to his 'mailing list' - like, through the mail USPS style - during the 70s and 80s. So, I'm guessing Stepping Stones began before the 90s at some point?)

In, The Bottomless Bag, there is less than a half-page description:

Divide your group into smaller groups of five. Each group is given 4 rubber (plastic) gym spots [these basic 'poly' spots, we call them now, are about 10 inches in diameter]. Ask all the groups to physically cross the width of a basketball court as quickly (timed) as possible.

Then there are a few Rules:

Only the spots can be stepped on.
No one may touch the spots with their heels - ball of the foot only.
If someone inadvertently touches the floor, he/she must return to the start, and anyone touching them must also return.

This was the first introduction to Stepping Stones (that I know of). Things required and implied in the directions:

Players are on their tippy-toes the entire time!! (Have you ever done it this way?!)
The 'start' of the challenge is at one side of the basketball court - so, if you are not using a basketball court, set up a traveling distance with cones or ropes about the width of the court.
If a player, or more, need to go back, the spots are left with the traveling group - they need to go back with spots and pick up the ones who went back. The challenge is for "all the groups to cross."
The directions never said the smaller groups could not help each other.
Since it's being timed, another round could be presented in order to better the time.

Stepping Stones 2.0
The next write-up I found (now, 1.5 pages long) is by Steve Butler in the book, Quicksilver (by Steve and Karl Rohnke), published in 1995. First Steve says, "This seemingly simple activity is fast becoming one of my favorites." So, he picked up the first description and added his ideas.

First he suggests some alternative props that can be used:

Rug Pads - 12-inch square 'samples', we used to call them (if you could score the samples with the sewn edges you were golden!). Or, odd-shaped rug pieces big enough for 2-4 feet.
18-inch long, 4-inch x 4-inch pieces of lumber. [These are challenging!!]
Rubber spots - as required in Version 1.0

Steve changes up the activity to one group and "before time runs out." In his words, "People are assembled at Point A, given one prop less than their number (e.g., nine people get eight props) and told to arrive safely with the entire group at Point B before time runs out." He then goes into a fantastical story about traveling through space to another planet and the props are their "life-support vehicles," and any vehicle can support as many people as can stand on it.

His Rules:

Anyone touching the ground in space (between points A & B), must return to the home planet for decontamination and spiritual healing. All travelers are expected to arrive safely at the new planet. [No more tippy-toes required, but might be needed.]
For a life-support vehicle to function, someone must be touching it at all times. If a life-support vehicle is untouched for even an instant, it ceases to function and it is immediately removed from the activity.
Advanced Rule: Life-support vehicles only move in a forward direction. [This implies, if someone touches the ground in space, the challenge will have to be re-started.] Steve uses this rule to "prohibit the solution of having people 'shuffle" across space using two props as skates then sending them back for someone else to use."

About the boundaries: Steve shares, "It makes sense to set the boundaries far enough apart so that the group will need to recycle some of their props in order to cross the gap."

About time: There is no reference to how much time is given in Steve's directions. I like the idea of beating a set time. In my (Chris) thinking, I would provide a long window to start. Then, ask the group to set a goal for traveling back (to their home planet). A nice activity when working on goals and goal setting.

Variation from Steve:

Divide the group in half. Each group starts from a different side of the A to B crossing. (Or, Steve says, "each group starts at a different planet.") The groups are challenged to exchange places. Each group gets one less prop than people. We don't say this, but the groups can share props. "The focus of the problem suddenly becomes one of identifying whether two different goals can be pursued simultaneously for a common good, or will the two groups operate independently and/or competitively."

Stepping Stones 3.0
As far as I know, I thought of this version during a program planning session - I have several sets of Teamplay Tubes to use for hurdles. (And, this does not mean I'm the first one to use this idea - their are TONs of creative souls out their thinking up the same stuff!! Someone could have been doing this years before me.) If you don't have PVC tubes and fittings for the hurdles, use any sort of prop to step over and then set up something to go through/under (e.g., Hula-Hoops) - creativity is on your side.

It's the same challenge - get from point A to B. Everyone going one way, or start at both sides.

Props: Any of the props suggested above can work, my new favorite:

12-inche long by 2-inch by 6-inch boards (seen in the pictures)

Rules: All the rules above can apply. Here are my additions:

If someone touches the ground, this person goes back to the start and brings a board with him/her.
If someone touches one of the obstacles, this person goes back to the start and brings a board with him/her.
Everyone is required to go over the low obstacle and through/under the high obstacle.

I like this version because it adds a little more suspense to the journey.

WOW! Thanks for joining me on this (unexpectedly long) historical Stepping Stones trip. If you know of any other historical details about Stepping Stones please let me know and I'll amend or add to the documentation. And, please feel free to share any of your own variations in the Comments below.

Have FUN out their my friends!

Chris Cavert, Ed.D.

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P-Cord Loop Activities (FUN Follower Share)

4/25/2019

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Well, the cat is out of the bag! Over two years ago now I saw a cool video (below) with a group using strings and tennis balls - they were moving tennis balls across the strings and dropping the tennis balls into baskets. Shortly after that Ben Venderzyden (a FUN Follower) sent me a PDF (below) of three activities put together by Andrew Bogue noting, "Andrew put this series of activities together as an introduction to P-Cord Loop Activities." Then, shortly after that my friend Solomon Masala sent me his version of "Tennis Ball Transfer" (the other PDF below).

With all this information converging in a relatively short period of time, I knew I had to try it out. Well, finally, this past January, I put my P-Cord Loop Activity gear in a bag and carried it with me to two different conferences in hopes of getting some good video to share. However, I failed!! I did shoot some video but nothing I found useful - we ran out of time at each workshop to complete the activity. Then, today, someone shared on the Facebook group, Challenge Course Pros, a little clip of one of the workshops where we were trying out the process of rolling orbs along the P-Cord track - the cat out of the bag.

So, it's time to share everything I have and give a GREAT BIG thanks to those who shared with me so long ago - sorry it's taken this long. (I'm still on the quest to shoot some video of a full activity, so I'll share it when I have it.) And, since you'll have your hands on these ideas, try them out and get some film!! We would love to see how it works for you!

My "Loop Kit" contains 12 orbs, about 8 inches in diameter (I found these at a Dollar Store and I can let out the air and pump them up when ready to use) and 12 P-Cord Loops (25 feet of P-Cord each, tied at the ends with a Barrel Knot). I have enough equipment for 24 participants (each pair gets one orb and one loop).

Have FUN out there my friend!

Chris Cavert, Ed.D.

Let's Get Loopy (P-Cord initiatives from Andrew Bogue and Ben Vanderzyden)

p-cord_initiatives.pdf
File Size:	618 kb
File Type:	pdf

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Tennis Ball Transfer (from Solomon Masala, Source Consulting Group)

tennisballtransfer_masala.pdf
File Size:	358 kb
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Word Circle Puzzles: April 2019

4/11/2019

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It's been a while since since I've posted new Word Circle Puzzles (WCP) - so, here you go! If you are new to Word Circle Puzzles, go HERE for a good start (and more puzzles - HINT: Click on the picture at the post to enlarge it enough to see five puzzle card sets). Also, to find all the WCP posts, search 'Word Circle Puzzles' using the Search feature to the right. And, don't forget to check out the first Picture Word Circle Puzzle HERE - this is the advanced version of WCP.

Here are the new puzzle. They are out of order in case you want to give them a try before checking out the answers below. The Gist: Write out each word of a puzzle on a separate index card, then put them ALL together ending in a circle of words - each word is connected, in a searchable answer, to the word before it and after it.

Blue, Egg, Rest, Bird, Head, Code, Nest, Area, Jay (9)
Stone, Shade, Dance, Storage, Top, Key, Shed, Lime, Hat, Pass, Cold, Hall, Tree, Light (14)
Iron, Lift, Frog, Bird, Weight, Start, Work, Kick, Lime, Cast, Tree, Song, Night, Up, Shade, Light, Off (17)
Square, System, Office, Block, Kind, Float, Building, Red, Out, Letter, Carpet, Law, Man, Error, School, Deal, Plane, Prone, Ticket (19)
Clean, Boat, What, Some, Cat, Way, Green, Side, Even, Come, In, Hall, Walk, Ever, How, House, Show, Break, Bean, So, Awe, For, Town (23)

Want the FULL SCOOP on Word Circle Puzzles: Print-N-Play Word Circle Puzzles Starter Kit - ALL the details about Word Circle Puzzles, 12 different presentation ideas for using the word sets and 18 puzzles, ready to print, laminate, cut and play, at the FUNdoing Store.

Print-N-Play Picture Word Circle Puzzles, Volume 1 - Six more full-length picture card word circle puzzles ready to print, laminate, cut and play, at the FUNdoing Store.

Teambuilding with Puzzles - Both the Word Circle Puzzles & Picture Word Circle Puzzles kits are included in this online, study at your own pace, team building activity course. Check it out HERE.

Spoiler Alert! Answers are Below

Answers:

Rest, Area, Code, Blue, Jay, Bird, Nest, Egg, Head
Hall, Pass, Key, Lime, Stone, Cold, Storage, Shed, Light, Shade, Tree, Top, Hat, Dance
Shade, Tree, Frog, Kick, Start, Up, Cast, Iron, Work, Song, Bird, Lime, Light, Weight, Lift, Off, Night
Man, Kind, Red, Carpet, Square, Deal, Out, Law, School, System, Error, Prone, Float, Plane, Ticket, Office, Building, Block, Letter
Awe, Some, How, Come, Clean, Break, Even, So, What, For, Ever, Green, Bean, Town, Hall, Way, Side, Show, Boat, House, Cat, Walk, In

Have FUN out there my friends!!

Chris Cavert, Ed.D.

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Objectable Human Knot

3/27/2019

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(Spoiler Alert my team building friends! I have yet to see the successful completion of this challenge! Want to be the first in the record book - send in a short video clip of the last two minutes leading to success. We would love to see if this is possible!)

These were the first attempts to my eyes (two groups at a conference workshop) of, Objectable Human Knot. In the video you will see us set up the Human Knot with buddy ropes in a way that will lead to a single circle solution.

Once the tangles were set a beach ball was placed atop each set of ropes.

The Challenge: Without human contact with the beach ball, untangle the rope knot without letting go of the ropes or dropping the ball. (With this set up, everyone should be standing next to the person from the initial circle of the set up - this would be the expectation of "untangle.")

During these Beta Testing attempts, the groups placed the beach ball back on top of the ropes right away if it fell to the ground. In "real life" team building, we decided, if the ball drops, the group would have to reset the tangle from the beginning before placing the ball back on top of the ropes. (Just a thought so far.)

We also talked about letting some of the air out of the beach balls so they didn't roll around as much (to make the activity easier), use different objects like a small cardboard box or stuffed animal and allowing for a certain number of drops (e.g., three) before resetting the tangle.

Give this a try. Help out the cause. Is the task even possible - we would love to know! (And, see a video of a successful conclusion.)

All the best,

Chris Cavert, Ed.D.

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Phraseology Cards, Set 1 (Print-N-Play)

3/14/2019

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Something new. Let's try this out together. Before you read the description, I suggest you take a look at (and/or download) the cards you get!

Phraseology Cards

phraseologycards_set1.pdf
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Welcome to Phraseology Cards – a norming and processing activity about "meaning" and making meaning. In some educational theories it's said that we should start with what we know before venturing into the unknown. Using Phraseology Cards can help us practice this idea before diving deeper into new social learning experiences.

Activity Objective: Using all the cards, pair them up so that two cards make a phrase that has a particular (Part 1) or new (Part 2) meaning.

Facilitated Objective: Explore prior knowledge (and why this might be useful), and practice behaviors related to communication, sharing voice, community knowledge, and building rapport.

Needs & Numbers: Print out the 38 Phraseology Cards below on copy paper or card stock paper - go with a color other than white to spice it up a bit (or, maybe a few different colors). For long-term use laminated the cards if you are using regular (thin) copy paper. Card stock holds up well on its own. One set of 38 cards works well with a group of two to 16 participants.

Time: 15 to 20 minutes at any time during a program – maybe a little longer if you plan to use the phrases for a processing 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, words-side up, on a tabletop or floor, so all the cards can easily be read.

Procedure: (This is a brand-new activity, so help me add to the use of the cards.) Here's what I have so far:

Part 1: Ask (challenge) your group to match two cards together that make up a known (documented) phrase that is known to have a particular meaning. (The Meanings Key below includes one or two historical meanings for each phrase.)

When someone identifies a pair, discuss what meaning the phrase has for people. Depending on the diversity of the group, there could be a wide range of meanings. Then, find out if the phrase might have a particular connection to the group or might it have any influence on the group as they work together - could it be a "norm" the group wants to adopt?

There will be some phrases (I'm betting) that will be unknown to the group. This can be a good time to talk about "unknowns" that might show up during a program. You can use the "Meaning Key" to share a meaning and discuss how this impacts the group.

Does the group need to match up all the cards? Maybe? Maybe not?

If there is time, move into Part 2. Or, after working together for a while and "trying out" some of the phrases, put out the cards again and try Part 2 - make some new meaning.

Part 2: The group has already matched the cards into the common form. Now, make new meanings by matching two (or more?) cards into an uncommon form and define the phrase. These could end up being fun, silly combinations or more serious, norm-relevant combinations.

Making new meaning might be a good conversation (processing) topic. Run with the energy of the group.

Processing with the Cards: You could pull the cards back out at the end of a program and find out, by putting cards together, which phrases really stood out for the group during the program.

Facilitation Notes: As the group works through Part 1 (or later in Part 2), they may notice the boarders of the cards and realize one type of boarder (solid lines) is the first part of a phrase and the other boarder (dotted line) is the second part of a phrase.

If they recognize this, will it be easier? Maybe? Maybe they never realize this. No matter. It's just another form of data that can be useful or not needed. This can relate to the work you do together. When we "look" or "pay attention" we might see something that will help. Looking is a learned skill that can help us in many ways.

When we look, we have the opportunity to uncover more meaning and make more meaning. This activity is all about making meaning together as a group. And, know that it's okay to share your understanding of the phrases as well - it doesn't "mean" you have the right answer, it's only "an" answer.

Have FUN out there my friends!

Chris Cavert, Ed.D.

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ReuseYourGear Games

2/27/2019

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Have You Ever...
worn two helmets on your head at the same time? On the way out the door, literally, from the ACCT Conference in Denver, I ran into Jeremy Sterndale and friends re-using retired climbing gear for some FUN in the hallway. Of course I had to find out what was going on - and play a little bit.

Last year Jeremy started the blog: reuseyourgear.blogspot.com

His site, "is an effort to repurpose, recreate, reimagine, and rediscover. I want to help out "re" in the forefront of things, thoughts and processes in the challenge course and outdoor facilitation worlds."

He's also posting ideas on Instagram at ReuseYourGear

During our super-fast game session, I learned about making rope discs, rope darts, monkey fist knot tossables and fashioning two helmets together for a target. Use hot glue to fasten the coils and helmets together. (I'm guessing a gorilla glue will work too.) In the short video above you'll see some different views of the gear so it makes more sense. For rope "darts" (rope version of Lawn Darts), simply tie a stopper knot (i.e., half barrel) at the end of a length of rope - start with at least 20 inches of rope. (I didn't get specifics - so you can experiment.)

You can use this gear, among other things, to play a static version of corn hole and a dynamic version (shown in the video). And, this is just the beginning I'm sure. So, what would you do with this gear? Leave your idea in the Comments below and/or head over to the ReuseYourGear blog to contact Jeremy about your idea. I know he's looking for more!

A BIG thanks to Jeremy for sharing and starting something fun and beneficial! Everyone has those "things" around that can find new life. Share what you've done and what's possible.

All the best,

Chris Cavert, Ed.D.

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The A-Files #2 (and Professional Development)

2/14/2019

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Here's the second installment of The A-Files. (HERE is the first one if you missed it.) I run across short activity snippets in my files (both paper and digital) all the time - activity ideas with little information. Just the basics. I always say to myself, "Chris, you need to do something with these." Okay, so, again, here's me doing something with these.

If you are interested in picking up some Professional Development credit, read below. If you want to just pick up some new activity ideas, skip down to the descriptions.

NEED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT HOURS? (I know Challenge Course Practitioners need them!) Click the Professional Development link below - this link takes you to the (super secret) PD Information and how to start your "Decoding" adventure. (With the two A-Files posts available, you can pick up two professional development hours.)

Professional Development

Where Do I Stand (Get to know others, from a workshop notes)

Needs & Numbers: One long activity rope for 10 to 30 players.

Description: Place a long activity rope on the ground in a straight line (or, maybe a circle - that would be fun). Designate one end as, "Not me at all!" and the other end as, "That's Really Me!" Then, the facilitator (at first), asks preference-type questions to the group. After each question, players place themselves on the rope depending on how they fit between, Not me at all! and That's really me! After the facilitator asks some questions, open it up to the group members to ask questions. Examples:

I love to travel.
School/work is fun for me.
I get my schoolwork done right away.
I am an outdoorsy person. I'm into reading.
I follow the news.
I love to cook.
I'm a risk taker.

(What are some other good ones?)

Someone Like Me (Name Game & Ice-breaker, from workshop notes, then I changed it up a bit from what I saw - adding, break up lines when there are more than three players.)

Needs & Numbers: No props needed. Play with at least 20 and up to 50.

Description: Circle up the group and count off by threes - 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3 - until everyone has a number. Now, mingle around as a group for 15 seconds, saying hello, maybe share some head-nods. After 15 seconds, the facilitator says, "Shake!"

At this time, everyone starts shaking hands with others in the group. Their shaking must equal the number they gave themselves - a 1, 2 or 3. So, if I am a three, I shake a person's hand three times. When a shaker finds someone shaking the same number of times, they stay together (they can hold hands or link elbows).

Staying together, they continue shaking with their free hand (someone will be offering a left-handed shake, this is okay). When they find a like shaker, they stay connected. When a line of shakers gets longer than three players, this line divides in half (or close to it). The smaller lines go off to shake some more. Play until everyone is connected to a line. Celebrate people like you and move on....

Letters with Friends (Name Game & Warm-Up, from a Mike Spiller booklet)

Needs & Numbers: No props needed. Plays well with 20 to 50 people.

Description: Players mingle around the room sharing high-fives (or fist bumps) with other players, as they do this they say the name of the player they are connecting with - or, ask the name if unknown and say "hello" to this person.

Every 10 seconds, or so, the facilitator will call out a letter. Players get together in groups of three or four and form the letter using their bodies - challenge everyone in the small group to be a part of the letter.

When everyone has achieved the lettering, the facilitator calls, "Mingle" - all players jump up and mingle around again sharing high-fives and learning/saying names.

Easier Letters: A, C, D, E, F, H, I, K, L, M, T, U, V, Y, Z
Harder Letters: B, G, J, O, P, Q, R, S, W, X

Add it Up (Group Challenge, adapted from a Mike Spiller workshop activity - I added the group adding, instead of just adding in pairs.)

Needs & Numbers: No props needed. I think 10 to 14 players in a group would work (I haven't tried this one yet. Let me know....)

Description: This is a timed activity. During this challenge, no planning is allowed - it's meant to be a jump-in-it challenge. Only throwing numbers and counting are allowed. (Maybe some telepathy can be allowed??)

Circle up your group - designate a "start" player and a "finish" player - these two players are standing next to each other. On, "1, 2, 3, throw" (rock, paper, scissors style), each player "throws" out a number in front of them, zero to five with one hand.

The "start" player calls out his/her number, let's say, "Three!" (At this point, the stopwatch starts.) The next player (going in the direction away from the "finish" player) adds his/her number (let's say, four) to the first number, and says, "Seven!" The next player adds on and shouts the sum and so on around the circle until the "finish" play shouts the final sum of all the numbers added together. Time stops!

If someone catches a mistake, they "BUZZZZZ" the group. Restart. Try a few rounds to see how fast they can get. Change the "start" and "finish" players each round.

Cross the Divide (Problem Solving, conference workshop notes from 1992!!)

Needs & Number: Something to designate a start and finish line - something the groups will not trip over. This one works with 12 to 24 players.

Description: Designate a start and finish line - about 20 feet apart. Players get into groups of two or three behind the starting line and stand side-by-side and foot-to-foot (sides of the shoes touching).

Challenge each small group to cross the space between start and finish keeping their feet/shoes connected at all times (end players will not be connected by their outside foot). If the feet/shoes separate, they start again.

When everyone makes it across, combine two (four to six player) groups together in a line and have them go back across. How did the activity change after making the group larger?

Super Challenge: The whole group crosses in one long line.

Keep me posted my friends! Have FUN out there.

Chris Cavert, Ed.D.

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Flip and Find (with Playing Cards)

1/31/2019

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Hello Team Builder! I'm sticking with the playing card theme for this post. After you play the Ice-Breaker "Who Am !" from the LAST POST, you can play Flip and Find.

In the video above, you will see the large group version of Flip and Find (small group version below). This large group was participating in a Team Olympics - there were about 60 players in the room. Points were awarded for the top three places. So, how does it play?

Set Up:
Establish a starting line (I suggest cones or masking tape. If you use a rope, players might trip on it.) We used Jumbo Playing Cards in the Olympics (video), but any cards will work. You need a suit of 13 cards for each group of 6 to 8 players. Mix up (shuffle) each suit and then set them down in a vertical line moving away from the starting line - the first card is about 10 feet from the starting line. The further the cards are apart, the more running involved (and the more challenging they are to see from behind the starting line - if teammates are watching/ helping).

The Objective:
Turn the cards over in sequence - starting with the King and ending with the Ace - as quickly, and safely as possible.

Directions:

One person from each group can be in the "card field" at a time (over the starting line).
One card can be turned over during each turn into the card field.
If the card turned over is the first one (the King) or the next one in sequence (after the King), it can stay turned over - face up. The card must stay in the same place on the floor (or, ground).
If the card is not the one in the sequence, it must be turned back over, face down in the same place on the floor.
All players must take one true before any player takes a second turn. All players must take a second turn before anyone take a third turn, and so on.
Players can talk to each other during the activity - they can help each other remember where certain cards are positioned.
When the Ace (the final card) is turned over, the player to turn it over lifts the card into the air to signify completion of the task (jumping up and down is okay too!).

Depending how you play, there can be 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, or go by time - play two rounds and add time together for the overall place in the game.

Small Group Version

Set Up: Depending on space, you can set the cards up vertically (like in the video) or horizontally (like in the picture). When I set them horizontally, the line of cards is about 20 feet from the starting line (the closer they are the easier the cards are to see - make it easy or more challenging depending on the group). Notice, there are two groups in the picture, one is playing down the other side of the porch. I set it up this way so the two group could collaborate.

The Objective:
Turn the cards over in sequence from King to Ace.

Directions: The activity plays the same (see directions above). However, in the small group version I give each group three attempts so they have the chance to improve on their process (and, hopefully share ideas with other groups in play). A super fast time comes down to creating roles and responsibilities and relying on each other for help.

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

Have FUN out there,

Chris Cavert, Ed.D.

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