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Tools for Team Builders: Game Spots

12/13/2018

2 Comments

 
The start of something new!
Tools for Team Builders.
Welcome to the first episode - Game Spots. 
Hello Team Builders, I'm getting starting with my "instructional" filming (working on my first online course right now as well) - there is a fun and interesting learning curve to be sure. I look forward to your feedback - any and all, I can take it - as I move through this adventure. Leave a Comment below or fill out and send the form in the Contact tab at the top of the page. 

In this first episode, I share my ideas (and preferences at this time) on game spots. Heads Up! This instructional format is a bit longer than my activity videos (at this point). Below you'll find Blog Notes for the video and four links to posts I've made in the past that include game spots. 
Blog Notes 

Poly Spots: Flaghouse has a nice selection.
HERE are the 9-inch Spot Markers in a variety of colors.
HERE are the poly spots with numbers on them (I've used these a lot - I highly recommend them. Downside: If one goes missing you cannot order a single replacement.)  
HERE is a set with a variety of shapes and round spots. 
​(Note: Once you know the kind of spot you're looking for, there might be better prices at alternative sites.) 

Livestock Tags (numbered spots):
HERE is a link to Premier 1 Supplies. Lots of choices and sizes. You choose how many numbers you want. You could even put the name of your program on them (if it's a short name). 

Shelf & Drawer Liner: (non-skid spots, great on hard surfaces and washable if you use them outside)
HERE is the Bed, Bath & Beyond link to the brown Con-Tact shelf liner (I didn't see the white or blue??). Free shipping for orders over $39 at the time of this post. And, if you happened to be a BB&B member, the rolls are cheaper! (Of course, if there's a store near you....)

Rope Lengths: (I usually use P-Cord from my rope lengths, but other nylon types of rope work too. Be sure to safely burn the end so they don't unravel.)
HERE is the link to West Coast Paracord - my go to place for easy shopping. And, I buy enough for free shipping. I cut my rope at 4-foot lengths. Others have told me they like 5-foot lengths. 

Questions: If you have questions about any of the game spots talked about in the video, leave a Comment below or fill out the form under the Contact tab at the top of this page.
Activities Using Game Spots Found on FUNdoing Blog Posts

Crazy Eights Players move around spots in a figure eight pattern. Groups of any size.

Card Quad Jam (with Video) While standing on a pattern of spots, move playing cards to their correct place in line. Up to 52 players. 

Double Group Juggle Two tossable objects in play with lots of moving from spot-to-spot. Groups of at least 10 and up to 18 players. Multiple groups can be in play at once. 

Switching Places Spots are all you need (or use the playing card version). Players switch around based on a categorical topics. Any size group can play. 
Have FUN out there my friends! 

Chris Cavert, Ed.D. 
2 Comments

The A-Files #1 (and Professional Development)

11/29/2018

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Here's something new I want to try (not sure I can make it last, but let's try). 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 here is me doing something with these. 

I wasn't feeling 100% about simply typing them up in short form. So, how about we (meaning you) decode them?! What is "decoding", you might be asking? Well, in a nutshell, it's taking an activity in short form and putting it into long form. Reading a summary and then writing it out in a way that someone new to team building could read and lead. 

NEED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT HOURS? (I know Challenge Course Practitioners need them!) Scroll down below the activities and find the Professional Development link - clicking this link takes you to the (super secret) PD Information and how to start your Decoding adventure.

DON'T NEED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT HOURS? Well, then, just jump right down to the snippets below and read on. 
Marilyn's Game (From a Laurie Frank Handout, year unknown)

Needs & Numbers: One deck of standard playing cards for every 5 to 7 players.

Description: Get into smaller groups of 5 to 7 - each group gets a deck of cards. Within each group, deal out the cards and no one looks at them. Go around the circle and have everyone say his/her name (if needed). Everyone has his/her pile of cards face down in front of them.

On a signal, at the same time, everyone turns over the top card of his/her pile. If anyone has a rank (number or letter) that matches with someone else, he/she says the name of the person that has the match. Whoever says the name first gets all the turned over cards from his/her group. These cards are added to the bottom of the "winner" pile.
 

​This is My Nose (From a Laurie Frank Handout, year unknown)

Needs & Numbers: No props. 8 to 14 players.

Description: Circle up players. One starts by saying, "This is my nose" while pointing to a different body part (e.g., ear). The next player to the starters left points to another body part (e.g., knee) and says, "This is my ear" - saying the body part the first player pointed at. The next players in turn, while pointing to a new body part, will always say what the last player pointed at.
 

Passing Gas (From hand written notes, by Chris Cavert [way back in the day] attending a Karl Rohnke workshop)

Needs & Numbers: One balloon for each player and several permanent markers. (If you have a big group) Divide any size group into smaller groups of 16 to 20 players.

Description (decoded from my notes): This game can be done standing or sitting. Give each player a balloon [be mindful of latex allergies] to inflate to the size of their own cranium - and then tie off the opening. Pass around the permanent markers so each player can write his/her first name on their balloon. The Challenge: Time how fast all the balloons can get around the circle back to their owners - each player is required to pass along every other balloon in the circle. Play multiple rounds to achieve the fastest time.
 

Easy Line Up (From a hand written note, by Chris Cavert, attending an AEE workshop - no note about what workshop this was (??). Easy Line Up ended up in Challenge Energizers in the book, The EMPTY Bag, Cavert & Hammond)

Needs & Numbers: No props needed. 12 to 24 players.

Description: Line up in alphabetical order by first names with your eyes closed. 
Free Professional Development
Even if you don't officially decode these snippets, I'd love to hear about the "variants" you add to them. Leave a Comment below!!

All the best, 

Chris Cavert, Ed.D. 
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Teambuilding with Index Cards (and More!) from Jim Cain

11/15/2018

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My good friend Dr. Jim Cain just released his new book, Teambuilding with Index Cards. (Training Wheels has them discounted this week HERE - get your copy today!)

Here's the tag line: 180 activities for teachers, trainers, facilitators & group leaders of all kinds that turn ordinary index and playing cards into extraordinary teaching tools. (Full transparency: Jim has packed his new book with LOTS of activities - about half of them use Index Cards and Playing Cards. The other half are team building activities that utilize other props.) 
STORY CARDS Here's a fun Icebreaker I found right away. Give each participant an index card (I like the bigger cards) and supply a variety of colorful writing tools. (Other supplies can be fun too, like stickers, glitter and glue, and even magazines so people can cut out pictures and words to glue on their card.) 

Next, invite everyone to draw on their card (or create) five events from his/her life and then be prepared to share and discuss these illustrations (creations) within a small group of four to six people. So, this one can be done with any size group if you have enough creative materials. 

(The story behind my card above: I'm an only child [the number 1] - I had an amazing mother. Summer camp and camping changed my life after moving "up north" from Milwaukee Wisconsin to Lake Five - country life was much kinder than the BIG city. I discovered my calling as an adventure educator and never looked back. And, finally, I've been able to travel all around the world, and have met some incredible people with their own wonderful stories.)
Crossword Names (in Jim's book) is another index card favorite of mine. When Jim requested activity submissions for this book, I gave him this one. It's written up HERE (I call it, Name Letter Opener) if you haven't seen it yet. You can play with any size group and with anyone able to write their name. 
All the best my friends!

Chris Cavert, Ed.D. 

NOTE: Received some feedback about font size - "...can you make the font bigger?" Well, yes! Thanks for asking. What do you think out there? How's this font size? 
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Immobile Chopsticks (with Video)

11/1/2018

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If you know me, you know I love team building with noodles!! Noodles are the most versatile activity prop on the planet! My good friend and team builder Sam Sikes and I wrote a couple of books on the subject - you can find 50 Ways to Use Your Noodle and 50 More Ways... HERE. 
Immobile Chopsticks is from our book, 50 Ways... It's a variation of the classic Pipeline activity. (I've written about Pipeline Variations in the past. And, another related, called Bridges & Traits.) 

In this noodle version here, it takes two players to make the channel needed to allow the tennis ball to travel from one point to another. And, multiple pairs of noodled players to get somewhere. Here are the basic rules in this version (video below) of Immobile Chopsticks.

Rules: 
  • Each player is allowed to touch/use one, and only one, noodle prop.
  • Tennis balls (six of them), start 60 feet from a set of six cups (Volcano Tops) circled together - cups are open-side down.
  • If a tennis ball is touching a players noodle, that play may not move his/her feet in the direction of the cups. So, no tennis ball touching your noodle, you can move in any direction.  
  • Only one tennis ball is allowed to touch a pair of noodles at any time.
  • If a tennis ball drops to the ground/floor, this tennis ball is returned to the start (a player is allowed to pick up the ball and return it to the start). 
  • When all the Volcanos (cups) have been capped, you have successfully completed the task. 

Adjustments:
  • The closer the cups, the more challenge.
  • Players can move their feet if they have their eyes closed. 
  • Turn the cups over and drop the tennis balls inside (a bit easier) - if they don't let the cups tip over.   
Why I Like This Team Building Activity: 
  • You can run this one with any size group - if you have enough equipment. 
  • I can break the group up into smaller groups, from four to twelve in a group. 
  • I can use it as a competitive activity - First, Second & Third places. 
  • I can use it as a cooperative activity - "All the Volcanos in the room must be capped as soon as possible." 
  • I can vary th replacement of the cups (Volcanos) - in a small or larger circle, or randomly around the room. 
  • And, noodles make anything fun!! 
Let me know how it goes. Leave us a Comment below. 

​Chris Cavert, Ed.D. 
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Exploring Values from The Thiagi Group (Print-N-Play)

10/18/2018

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A good friend of mine (thanks JS!) sent me a link to an activity called Exploring Values from The Thiagi Group (check out their FREE GameBlog HERE). To work this activity it calls for 50 "or more" value cards. There is a PDF list of values provided by The Thiagi Group, which is a great resource. I jumped right in and made a set of cards using the list so I could try this one out. I thought you might like to join me. Below you'll find my set of 76 print-n-play cards (blank cards are included as well so you can add to the set) 
The purpose of Exploring Values is "to explore the relative importance of different values in an organization." The activity is set up for a group to compare two values and decide which one is more important. Even though both are important, "thinking about these values, discussing them, and placing them in order of importance makes them more specific" for the group.  
As with all Thiagi Group activities, there are clear presentation (Flow) details and useful Debriefing questions and Learning Points. HEREs the LINK again for all the details. 
And There's More....
If you have been following the FUN, you know I like to get a lot of "milage" out of my team building tools - doing more with less. Here are a few other ideas for using the value cards: 

What's Important - Scatter the cards out face up on some tables or the floor. Ask everyone to find a value (card) that is important to them right now. It is perfectly okay to share a value (card) with another person in the group. If the group is manageable (smaller), go around and find out from each person why this value is important to them. Keep these particular cards with you during your program. Let them help you spark thoughts and learnings before, during and/or after team building activities (i.e., cards can be processing prompts).

Values Tool Box - Have the group decide, by consensus, five values they want to focus on during your program. Use them before, during and/or after activities as check-in prompts for discussion. Maybe the values (cards) need to change over the course of your program - allow for swaps or additions. 

What's Missing - If your group is "stuck", pick five of the values from the set and ask the group what value, of the five, might get them un-stuck at that particular time. Maybe you pick five value cards at random (let the Universe decide, so to speak), or you might choose five value cards that you believe are particularly relevant to your observations of the group. For example, your group might need one of these five: 
  • Decisiveness
  • Energy
  • Helpful
  • Persistence
  • Transparency

Sometimes all the group needs is a little nudge to get un-stuck. 

Random Considerations - Another way to explore values is to simply pick a card at random and have a discussion about its meaning to the diverse population of your group. I did something like this (with another list of values) with residential participants that I worked with over a longer period of time. You might also find it important to pick a card "on purpose" because you want to talk about a value that might have surfaced during a team building activity. 
Here are the Value Cards
exploringvalues_thiagi_cavertfdb18.pdf
File Size: 930 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
Do you have an activity that could work with these value cards? Share in the Comment below. Thanks. 

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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List Play #2

8/30/2018

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Way back in 2015 I post List Play #1 - an intricate collection of listable categories. I use handouts from time-to-time (including List Plays) as a way for small groups to gather around each other and work on a task using collective brain power. Sometimes I let my participants use outside resources (e.g., internet search), other times I do not. Without useful resources our tasks can seem daunting and even impossible. So, when "I have absolutely no idea" I look around for resources that can help me get one. This behavior is a learned skill for most people. Let's get some practice. 
I posted the PDF for List Play #2 (right under List Play #1) on my resources page HERE (scroll down to the Activity Tools to find it). 
Give this new List Play a try before downloading the answer sheet:
  • Two Gentlemen of Verona (Shakespeare)
  • Three Men in a Tub 
  • The Four (Basic) Freedoms
  • The 5 W's
  • The First Six Presidents of the United States
  • The Seven Virtues
  • The Ivy League Eight
  • The Nine Positions of a Baseball Team
  • Ten National Holidays (Before there was President's Day)
  • Eleven Tom Cruise Movies
  • The Twelve Days of Christmas
  • BONUS: The Thirteen Original Colonies 
What list(s) do you like? Share in the Comments below. 

Have FUN out there!

Chris Cavert, Ed.D
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1, 2, 3, More Activities with Rope (FUN Shares!)

8/16/2018

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Thanks to some amazing FUN Followers (Ben, Floyd & Dave), here are three more team-builders to lead with a long activity rope. 
In the last FUNdoing Blog post, 50-Foot Activity Rope: What Are You Doing? I shared a favorite of mine and asked for some shares back. And, we got a few takers.
ONE!
Hey Chris,
My favorite rope activity is “Knot or Not” [credited to Dr. Jim Cain]  I take a mess of a rope and pull the ends out a little bit and put it on the ground in front of the group. 

[The Objective] Without touching the rope, the group must unanimously decide [reach consensus] if when the two ends of the rope are pulled, will there be a knot in the rope or not (no knot).

When they think they all agree, we do a blind vote [close their eyes] where they vote for a knot or no knot.  If they all agree then they unanimously decided and completed the challenge [the objective].  If they are “not” in total agreement, then they get more time to discuss and make their arguments, and the process continues until they all agree [blind voting], or I have to step in and remind them of the goal and facilitate discussion. 

Once they have unanimously decided, I grab the two ends of the rope, holding on to them the whole time (because I know what's going to happen), and start to gather up the rope.  I have never been able to pick up the rope completely before they stop me, because they want to know if there is a knot or not. 

I ask them what the goal was, and then ask them if there was anything in the goal about being right.  Since there wasn’t, I say “Okay,” and continue to gather up the rope. I will always get stopped again.

​At this point I start to talk about why we have to know.  After a good discussion, I will give them these two options - I will declare you right and we will walk away with being able to say that you were right. Or, we pull the two ends and you could be right, you could be wrong, but you will then know for sure.  I tell them that it is a group decision, but [this time] we go with a simple 2/3 majority (although it is usually very close to unanimous).  When they decide to pull the ends, I remind them that they all agreed on whatever they agreed on, so that means that they are either all right or all wrong.  I then pick two people to pull the ends and we find out. [Another good discussion could be generated after the result.]
 
Ben
TWO!!
Hey, Chris! I hope things are well! I have a new (maybe new. I like "inventing" activities only to realize later someone else has already made it up. It is part of what I love about this industry!) 50-foot rope activity I have been working on. I've used it a couple of times and it is still in beta testing. 

12 Spaces [editor's, Chris', name at this time - Floyd didn't give us one yet.]
 
Materials: 50-f00t activity rope with ends tied together. Safe tossable(s) [e.g., foam ball or stuffed animal]. Timing device (optional).
 
Set-Up: Place the activity rope on the ground in a circle. Place the tossable(s) on the ground in or near the rope circle. Have the group stand around the activity rope (not permanent positioning... maybe).
 
Play: I have been picturing and using this as a timed goal setting activity. The community will set a goal time that represents how long they believe it will take to complete the task. 
  • Time starts when the first piece of activity material (rope or tossable) is touched. 
  • The community is challenged to pick up the rope and create 12 (variable) spaces obviously distinct from each other.
  • The community is challenged with passing the tossable through each of the 12 created spaces.
  • Everyone in the community is challenged to either participate in holding the activity rope or in navigating the tossable through each of the spaces (or both).
  • Once the tossable has completed its journey through space(s), the community is challenged to place the rope and tossable back onto the ground with the rope back in its circle shape. 
  • Time will stop when all materials are on the ground and all hands are off materials. 
 
NOTE: Something I'm thinking about: Place a poly/game spot on the ground under the knot. After completing the task, the knot will be returned to the poly spot and the rope [is placed back into] a circle on the ground. [One more task to organize and complete.]
 
I have had a lot of fun playing with this in my head and then seeing groups interact with it.
 
Floyd
THREE!!!
Here's Turnstyle (Dave's spelling) from Dave, already in PDF form. Dave shares his 4-Step process for this "jump-rope" tram builder. Try one or more steps to meet the challenge needs of your group. 
turnstyle_davevermilye_2018.pdf
File Size: 711 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
Thanks friends!! You are awesome! Love learning from you. 

All the best, 

Chris Cavert, Ed.D.
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50-Foot Activity Rope: What Are You Doing?

8/2/2018

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What are you doing with a 50-foot (more or less) activity rope? 
If you've been facilitating team building programs for a while, I will bet you have an "activity rope" in your gear bag! Could be a retired climbing rope, a haul rope from your local big-box hardware store or even a 3-mill utility cord. 

Please Share! (In the Comments section below)

I'm "gearing" up for Fall programs and want to learn some new activities with a long rope. It doesn't need to be a super detailed description (share in the Comments below or email me), I'm pretty sure I'll get the idea and can go from there. (I'll reach out if I have questions.) 

Here's A New(er) One from Me
Below is a description of one of my newest activities with a rope; Knot Around Here. The full details can be found in my, Portable Teambuilding Activities book (now available for purchase at the: FUNdoing.com/store). I give you the basics here so you can give it a try.

Knot Around Here was one of those activities that popped in my head one day and as soon as I could I tried it out. If it wasn't for the first (adult) group I tried it with, I might not have included this one in my book. It came down to, "asking for what you needed".

Some people in the group were not comfortable spinning around very fast (Knot Around....you can imagine what the group is going to do!?), they got dizzy and even nauseous. But, instead of asking the "group" to slow down, they chose (to the person)  to step/challenge out. The first debrief I had for this activity was a meaningful discussion about asking for what was needed in order to stay a part of the group/community. 

Since that first group, it has been hit-or-miss for the specific "asking" facilitated objective. But, overall, it's always been a fun and creative activity. Give it a shot and let me know what you think. 
KNOT AROUND HERE
 
Activity Objective: The group is challenged to move a knot, tied in the activity rope, 360 degrees around a circle of players – without using their hands.
 
Needs & Numbers: You’ll need an activity rope or webbing (anywhere from 40 to 60 feet depending on your numbers) for a group of 10 to 20 participants. If you choose the timed option you will need a timing device.
Picture
(Clipped from the Book)
Time: 20 to 30 minutes
 
Procedure: Tie the ends of your activity rope together with a good knot – one that won’t come out until you want it to. Have your group circle up. Distribute the rope circle throughout the group so each participant is holding the rope in front of them and everyone is equidistant from each other. Then, ask everyone to carefully step forward bringing the rope up over their heads down behind their backs resting the rope behind them about belt level or a bit higher in the small of the back. In the end, you will want the group to back up enough to produce a tight rope circle. WARNING: Caution your group to be careful during this process. Tugging and pulling on the rope could cause unnecessary complications. Once the rope circle is set behind the group there are a couple possible challenges I have presented.
 
Ask your group to specifically “roll” the rope around the circle moving the knot 360 degrees as quickly and safely as possible. Rolling involves each person turning in place (or as in place as possible) causing the rope to move like a chain moves around a sprocket. You can provide multiple attempts to produce the best possible time.
 
Safety & Facilitation: What I like about the timed dynamic of this activity is the concept of voice – especially during the rolling movement. For some, spinning around quickly is not comfortable and for most of us unstable. When time becomes a factor I have found participants more willing to step out of the activity (challenge by choice) than speak up for what they need – “keep it slow so I can keep up without losing my lunch.” The challenge is “quickly and safely” not specifically lightning fast. The question presents itself, “Will people ask for what they need?”
 
Keep an eye out for those pushing themselves into an uncomfortable place. This behavior could lead to safety issues. If needed, stop your groups for a mid-brief in order to explore what is happening. As always, safety first!
Have FUN out there my friends!! 

Chris Cavert, Ed.D. 
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    Blog Author

    Dr. Chris Cavert is an internationally known author, speaker, and trainer in the area of adventure-based activity programming and its relation to community and pro-social behavior development.

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