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List Play #2

8/30/2018

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" team 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.

(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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List Play #2

1, 2, 3, More Activities with Rope (FUN Shares!)

50-Foot Activity Rope: What Are You Doing?

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