Simple/Mobile Initiatives
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Simple/Mobile Initiatives
These are activities that can be done virtually anywhere provided you have a few simple props (like a rope). Great for more advanced team building and problem solving. The events introduce the concepts necessary for effective teamwork that are used throughout the program. These activities provide a progression of experiences in which participants learn specific teamwork and leadership skills. It should be noted that these events, as well as most all events, can be made more or less challenging through the addition and deletion of variable factors concerned with the problem solving process ("the winds of fate"). Some of these variables include: verbal communication, sight, time limitations, and physical handicapping.
Educational Goals:
Team development, positive communication, appropriate risk-taking, listening, trust, support, and creativity.
All Aboard
Objective: To see how many people can get on the platform at one time (can use a small tarp). Each person must have both feet off the ground. The group must be able to hold a balanced pose for a determined amount of time.
Snake Tie
Objectives: Participants grab a hold of a long piece of rope with both hands. Facilitator then shows them a smaller model with a figure eight tied in the middle. Participants are instructed to tie that same design into their rope without letting go with their hands. Variation: Three or so parts. are outside the snake and can touch the model and try to figure out the knot. They may not touch the big snake however. Also, group still touching the big snake may not talk. Great for big picture/small picture de-brief themes.
Traffic Jam
Objective: The facilitator lays out carpet squares in a straight line on the ground. The same number of carpet squares are laid out as there are team members, plus one more. Divide team into two groups. Both face the middle, unoccupied space. The two groups must move past each other to the other end. It is illegal for anyone to move around a person who is facing the same direction or to move backward around anyone. Participants are permitted to step forward into empty spaces or to step around people who are facing them into empty spaces (one space at a time).
Minefield
Objective: Mark out a space (square or circle) in a flat area and "litter" it with obstacles (no balls). Parts. then partner up with one partner on either side of the boundary lengthwise. One partner is then "blinded" and must be directed across the minefield by his/her partner. Groups can either go one at a time or all together. Stepping on a "mine" results in some kind of consequence. Variation: put the entire group on one side and then begin handicapping them: 3 are blind, 2 are missing one leg, two missing both legs, 1 cannot speak, etc. Then as a group they must all get across successfully. Key: They can only pass through the minefield ONCE.
Blindfold Shapes
Objective: Group, holding on to a designated length of rope must form some type of shape. Easiest: Square. Harder: Circle. Hardest: Star. Tell them that when they think they have it to put it on the ground and see how they've done.
Nuclear Reactor
Objective: Using a bungee corded contraption, group must retrieve the designated object from an encircled area. Group may not enter the encircled area at any time. The only way to retrieve the "device that will save the world" is to use the bungee cord with all members pulling equally on their strand. Variations: this event is often done making half of the group blind.
Birthday Log
Objective: Given team on a log, parts. must silently re-distribute themselves based on birthday day (no years), shoe size, height, or whatever else you want to throw in.
Stepping Stones
Objective: Get from point A to point B without touching the ground. Set them up with one carpet square less their number and tell them to get to point B with all their team in the allotted time. Anyone who touches ground faces dire consequences. Someone must be touching a carpet square at all times. Carpet squares cannot move backwards. Add 3-5 feet of open space between props to mark out the distance from start to finish. Variation: Divide group in half and have them start from opposite ends.
