WILLOW IN THE WIND

OBJECTIVE

To look after and caring for one another

PROCEDURE

1) The group needs to be taught correct spotting technique:

    *      one foot in front of another

    *      arms outstretched, elbows locked, fingers loose

    *      ready and alert

2) In groups of about 8, one person volunteers to be the 'willow' in the middle.  Facilitator demonstrates the 'willow;.

    *      feet together

    *      closes his/her eyes

    *      arms crossed and hands on shoulders

    *      keep butt cheeks tight and body straight

    *      establishes contract with group (see below)

    *      does a 'trust lean' and allows him/herself to be 'passed around'

3) The final step before leaning is to create a contract between the "willow" and the group.  It can go like this:

    *      Willow: "I am ready to fall.  Are you ready to catch me?"

    *      Group: "We are ready to catch you.  Fall away."

    *      Willow: "Falling."

    *      Group: "OK"

Important: Ensure the group is tight, should-to-shoulder, arms outstretched.  In this position, hands should almost touch the person standing in the middle.  This ensures that the initial fall will be very gentle.  Gradually the group can ease back to allow a more expansive lean.  Distribute large and small people evenly, to avoid weak points in the circle.

The 'willow' should allow him/herself to be passed around by the group as long as she/he likes (usually a couple of minutes).  When he/she has had enough, simply open eyes, stand up, and thank the group.

The quality of the atmosphere and caring will generally determine the proportion of people prepared to volunteer.  Above 80% is usually a sign of a reasonably healthy group.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

None

MATERIAL REQUIRED

None

APPROXIMATE TIME REQUIRED

20 minutes

SOURCE

http://www.wilderdom.com

WINKER

OBJECTIVE  
Energizing  group activity. Adds suspense, physical exercise, and fun.

PROCEDURE
1) Chasing activity which works best with larger groups (16-30) [Make sure people are physically warmed-up.][There are runners, catchers, and a winker.]
2) Form a circle, all facing in one direction, then sit (on ground or in chairs).
3) Every second person is designated as a catcher. Catchers watch the backs of the person in front, who are runners.  Runners maintain eye contact with the winker, who is in the middle of the circle.
4) When the winker winks at a runner, the runner gets up as fast as possible and try to get away - and run a full lap.  The runner behind the winker must be alert and try to catch the runner.
5) The winker keeps it moving.

MATERIAL REQUIRED
None.Chairs optional.

APPROXIMATE TIME REQUIRED
10 minutes

SOURCE
http://wilderdom.com/

5 DOLLARS

PROCEDURE
The baseball is batted to players in a field (batter throws the ball up for him/herself to hit; no pitching). There is a set number of points for each type of hit fielded. The players continued fielding balls until someone reached exactly $5.00. The person reaching exactly $5.00 becomes the new batter, with the old batter going to the field. If a ball is dropped, the player loses that much money. A player can go "in the hole" if they continue to lose money beyond zero.

Hit Values
Grounder .25
1 bounce .75
2 bounces .50
3 bounces .25
In the air 1.00

If the ball stops rolling (grounder) before being retrieved by the player, no money is awarded.
If a player has $4.75 and he catches a fly ball, he stays at $4.75 because he did not reach $5.00 exactly.

Contributed by Brian - Thank you!

SOURCE

http://www.gameskidsplay.net

SCAVENGER HUNT

 

OBJECTIVE
To quickly immerse group members into a task-oriented activity so they can begin developing a team identity and initial cohesiveness.

PROCEDURE
1) Assign the group the unstructured task of defining and assembling all of the objects, data or ideas they feel will be useful to them as they engage in their regular learning tasks.
2) Ask each group to present and rationalize their findings at the end of the time limit.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
a) How did the group organize to conduct its task? ( e.g. with individuals assigned to specific items or as pairs or everybody trying to do everything)
b) How this method chosen ( e.g. we thought it over and decided it was best or we just jumped in and began the task?
c) How successful was it?

MATERIALS REQUIRED
1) Pen/pencil
2) Paper

APPROXIMATE TIME REQUIRED
60 minutes

SOURCE 
Games Trainers Play, John W. Newstrom & Edward E.Scannell, McGraw-Hill.

AUTOGRAPH

OBJECTIVE
Getting to know each other (ice-breakers).

PROCEDURE
1) Issue to each team member a sheet of paper and a different coloured pen or pencil (number of different colours is a factor affective teams sizes - different colours are helpful, but not absolutely essential).
2) Ask each person to draw a matchstick person about two inches high (representing themselves) on their sheet (landscape way around), and to write their name or autograph (legibly) beneath it.
3) Then ask the team members to move around the room among their team, asking other team members to add their matchstick images and autographs, so as to collect matchstick images and signatures.
4) While collecting images and autographs, encourage teams to discuss their interests and backgrounds, and to focus on people's names and characteristics, so as to reinforce retention of names.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
None.

MATERIALS REQUIRED
1) A sheet of paper each.
2) A different coloured pen or pencil each.

APPROXIMATE TIME REQUIRED
15 minutes

SOURCE
http://www.businessballs.com

SWAP SHOP

OBJECTIVE
To cultivate a number of new ideas and to encourage group participation

PROCEDURE
1) Everyone is told in advance to bring at least one idea, exercise, activity,etc. to the next training session. These should focus around some central theme. For example: How to handle problem trainees.
2) As each person presents his/her idea, a panel of 'experts' (three selected class members) instantly 'rate' the idea on prepared flash card (1-10, with 10 being high).
3) The trainers tabulates each total and announces the winners at the end of the time period.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
a) How many people gained at least one useful new idea today?
b) Did this process spark any additional ideas in your mind?
c) Can you think of some other areas in which this method can be applied?

MATERIALS REQUIRED
Three sets of flash card (5 X 8 index cards), each set with number from 1-10.

APPROXIMATE TIME REQUIRED
25 minutes

SOURCE
Games Trainers Play, John W. Newstrom & Edward E.Scannell, McGraw-Hill.

4CS

OBJECTIVE
To explore key concepts associated with a training topic

PROCEDURE
1) Prepare four flip chart pages with the following headings:
    * Components of great customer satisfaction
    * Characteristics of great customer satisfaction
    * Challenges for achieving great customer satisfaction
    * Characters involved in great customer satisfaction
2) Brief the participants. Explain that you would like to find out what the participants already know about customer satisfaction. In order to do this, you are going to play a 4Cs game that will require participants create detailed lists of different aspects associated with the concept.
3) Write these four terms on a flip chart (or project a slide with these terms on the screen). Define and discuss each term.
* Components are parts of the concept. For example, taking an order from the customer is a component of customer satisfaction.
* Characteristics are features associated the concept. For example, speed of service is a characteristic of customer satisfaction.
* Challenges are obstacle associated with the concept. For example, inability to provide discounts is a challenge associated with customer satisfaction.
* Characters are people associated with the concept. For example, a supplier is one of the characters associated with customer satisfaction.
4) Divide the participants into four roughly equal-sized teams. (It does not matter if some teams have a extra member.)
5) Assign a different "C" term to each team. Explain that each team will have the specific task of collecting information about the assigned category associated with the concept of customer satisfaction. In this process, each team should collect items suggested by every person in the room. Also explain that the teams will have 3 minutes to plan, 3 minutes to collect information, and 3 minutes to analyze and organize the information.
6) Ask teams to spend the next 3 minutes to plan how they are going to survey the room and gather responses from all participants. Keep track of the time and give a 1-minute warning after 2 minutes.
7) At the end of 3 minutes, announce the conclusion of the planning period. Ask team members to go around the room, interview members of the other teams, and collect information associated with the team's task. Get out of the way and, as before, keep track of the time.
8) At the end of 3 minutes, ask teams to stop collecting data and return to their original location. Each team should analyze the data, organize the information is suitable categories, and record their findings on a convenient flip chart.
9) Invite teams to take turns to present their findings to everyone in the room. Select the teams in any order. After each team's presentation, ask clarifying questions and encourage other teams to add additional information.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
a) What are the common themes for all presentations?
b) What are the differences among them?
c) What are the missing items?

MATERIAL REQUIRED
1) Timer
2) Whistle
3) Flip chart paper
4) Markers

APPROXIMATE TIME REQUIRED
1 hour

SOURCE
http://www.thiagi.com

TIDAL WAVE

OBJECTIVES
a) To build trust within the team
b) To work as a team by helping each other
c) To have participants interact physically without being self-conscious

PROCEDURE
1) Ask the group to form 2 lines.(participants in each line should stand shoulder to shoulder as
close as you can)
2) Select one participant at the front of the line as the 'traveller'. Lift the traveller up and pass
them  overhead,hand by hand along the 2 lines of  the 'lifters'. Ensure the 'traveller' has a safe
landing by  supporting his/her torso while he/she place his/her feet on the ground

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
a) what did you feel about the activity?
b) How do you feel now that you have  attempted it?
c) How did you feel while you were being  passed along?

MATERIAL REQUIRED
None

APPROXIMATE TIME REQUIRED
20 minutes (depending on the number of participants)

SOURCE
Games Trainers Play Outdoors, Gary Kroehnert, McGraw

$20 BILL

OBJECTIVE
Emphasizes the importance of mindfulness.

PROCEDURE
1) Ask each participant to find a partner and sit (or stand) facing his/her. If one participant is left over, you become the partner.
2) Ask each pair of partners to produce a $20 bill. If any of the pairs cannot find a $20 bill, lend them one or ask them to use any other bill.
3) Ask the partners to hold a single bill by its opposite corners so that each participant can see only one side of the bill.
4) Ask partners to take turns asking questions about the side of the bill they can see.
SAMPLES: How many times is the number 20 printed on my side? How many times is the word “twenty” spelled out on my side? How many digits does the serial number have? What building is shown on my side? How many windows do you see in the buidling? Which direction is Jackson facing in the portrait? Complete this sentence found on my side of the bill: This note is legal tender for all debts,
5) As soon as one partner asks the question, the other partner must give an immediate answer. Correct answers earn a point. Incorrect answers or no answers earn no points. The questioner should immediately give the correct answer.
6) Stop the question-and-answer activity after a few minutes. Ask participants to walk around and find a new partner. (They can also switch to the other side of the bill, if they want). As before, ask the partners to sit or stand facing each other and hold the $20 bill in such a way that they can see only one side.
7) Ask the partners to use the same procedure as before for asking questions, answering, and scoring points. Conclude the round after about 2 minutes.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
a) How familiarity breeds mindlessness?
b) What work-related supplies and tools do we take for granted?
c) What are the dangers of ignoring familiar objects and people?
d) What could we gain by paying attention to these objects and people?

MATERIAL REQUIRED
$20 bill

APPROXIMATE TIME REQUIRED
15 minutes

SOURCE
http://www.thiagi.com

TOXIC WASTE

OBJECTIVES
1) To develop communication skills of the trainees.
2) Challenge them to manage risks.

PROCEDURE
a) Use the rope to create a circle at least 8 ft in diameter on the ground to represent the toxic waste radiation zone. (The larger the radiation zone, the more difficult the activity)
b) Place the small bucket in the center of the radiation zone and fill it with water or balls to represent the toxic waste.
c) Place the large neutralization bucket approximately 30 to 50 feet away. (The greater the distance, the more difficult the activity)
d) Put all other equipment (i.e., bungee, cords, and red herring objects (optional)) in a pile near the rope circle.
d) Ask the trainees to transfer the toxic waste from the small bucket into the large bucket where it will be "neutralized", using only the equipment provided and within a time frame. (The waste will blow up and destroy the world after 20 minutes if it is not neutralized)

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1) How long did it take? Was there any spillage?
2) Were there any injuries?
3) How well did the group cope with this challenge? (e.g., out of 10?)
4) What was the initial reaction of the group?
5) What skills did it take for the group to be successful?
6) What would an outside observer have seen as the strengths and weaknesses of the group?
7) How did the group come up with its best ideas?
8) What did each group member learn about him/her self as a group member?
9) What lessons did the group learn from this exercise which could be applied to future situations?

MATERIALS REQUIRED
a) 2 x toxic waste receptacles (1 small, 1 large bucket)
b) 1 x rope to create a circle for the radiation zone 1 x bungee cord loop
c) 8 x cords
d) 8 x pit balls or use water (to represent toxic waste)
e) Blindfolds (optional)
f) Red herring objects (optional)

APPROXIMATE TIME REQUIRED
30-50 minutes

SOURCE
http://wilderdom.com/

DAY COLORS

OBJECTIVE
To illustrate how people often have different views of the same thing.

PROCEDURE
1) Explain the trainees about this:
Emotions and feelings within each of us are 'triggered' in different ways. We think differently and therefore see things differently. We often do not imagine that other people may see something quite differently to how we see the 'same' thing. Management and relationships, in work and outside of work too, depend heavily on our being able to understand the other person's view, and what causes it to be different to our own.

2) Ask them the following questions:
   1. Close your eyes and imagine the days of the week
   2. What colour is each day?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
a) Why did your choices differ from group members?
b) Why we see the same thing differently?

MATERIAL REQUIRED
None

APPROXIMATE TIME REQUIRED
15 minutes

SOURCE
http://www.businessballs.com

MINE FIELD

OBJECTIVES
a) Communicate each other effectively
b) Develop trust among members

PROCEDURE
1) Select an appropriate area.  Go outside, if possible.  Can be done inside, even in rooms with fixed furniture (which can become objects to be avoided).
2) Distribute "mines" e.g., balls or other objects such as bowling pins, cones, foam noodles, etc.
3) Establish a concentrating and caring tone for this activity.  Trust exercises require a serious atmosphere to help develop a genuine sense of trust and safety.
4) Participants operate in pairs.  Consider how the pairs are formed - it's a chance to work on relationships.  One person is blind-folded (or keeps eyes closed) and cannot talk (optional).  The other person can see and talk, but cannot enter the field or touch the person.
5) The challenge is for each blind-folded person to walk from one side of the field to the other, avoiding the "mines", by listening to the verbal instructions of their partners.
6) Allow participants a short period (e.g., 3 minutes) of planning time to decide on their communication commands, then begin the activity.
7) Be wary of blindfolded people bumping into each other.  The instructor(s) can float around the playing area to help prevent collisions.
8) Decide on the penalty for hitting a "mine".  It could be a restart (serious consequence) or time penalty or simply a count of hits, but without penalty.
9) It can help participants if you suggest that they each develop a unique communication system.  When participants swap roles, give participants some review and planning time to refine their communication method.
10) Allow participants to swap over and even have several attempts, until a real, satisfied sense of skill and competence in being able to guide a partner through the "minefield" develops.
11) The activity can be conducted one pair at a time (e.g., in a therapeutic situation), or with all pairs at once (creates a more demanding exercise due to the extra noise/confusion).
12) Can be conducted as a competitive task - e.g., which pair is the quickest or has the fewest hits?
13) The facilitator plays an important role in creating an optimal level of challenge, e.g., consider introducing more items or removing items if it seems too easy or too hard.  Also consider coaching participants with communication methods (e.g., for younger students, hint that they could benefit from coming up with clear commands for stop, forward, left, right, etc.).
14) Be cautious about blind-folding people - it can provoke trust and care issues and trigger post-traumatic reactions.  Minimize this risk by sequencing Mine Field within a longer program involving other get-to-know-you and trust building activities before Mine Field.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
a) How much did you trust your partner (out of 10) at the start?
b) How much did you trust your partner (out of 10) at the end?
c) What is the difference between going alone and being guided by another?
d) What ingredients are needed when trusting and working with someone else?
e) What did your partner do to help you feel safe and secure?
f) What could your partner have done to help make you feel more safe/secure?
g) What communication strategies worked best?

MATERIAL REQUIRED
1) Markers or lengths of rope to indicate the boundaries (e.g., 50 yard rectangular field)
2) Bowling pins or many soft objects, such as larger balls and stuff - the more the better
3)Blind folds (can be optional)

APPROXIMATE TIME REQUIRED
An hour

SOURCE
http://wilderdom.com

AMOEBA RACE

OBJECTIVE
To help a group get comfortable with one another.

PROCEDURE
a) Explain how to create an amoeba.  There are 3 parts:
* a lot of protoplasm (people who don't mind being close, gather together)
* a cell wall (people who like to contain themselves & others, surround the protoplasm, facing outward, linking elbows)
* a nucleus (someone with good eyesight and the ability to keep on top of things should be the nucleus, seated on the shoulders of some of the protoplasm)

b) Once the amoeba is formed, try taking a walk through a field or around the block. A rhythmic chant might be helpful for coordinating movements.

c) Finally, try a little cell division. Split into two, create a second nucleus and have an Amoeba Race.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1) Is there any difficulties for making an amoeba? If yes, why? If not, why
2) What sort of sound does a one-celled creature make?

MATERIALS REQUIRED
None

APPROXIMATE TIME REQUIRED
15 minutes

SOURCE
http://wilderdom.com/

MYSTERY PERSON

OBJECTIVE
To encourage newcomers and 'oldtimers' to make new acquaintances and get them to mix with other participants.

PROCEDURE
Designate (in advance & secretly) someone as Mr.or Mrs. Mystery person. Prior to and during first few sessions, promote the exercise by publicizing, "shake hands with the Mystery Person, he/she will give you $1."This exercise can be both fun & rewarding.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Why are reluctant to meet new people? (Each new encounter is a challenge to 'sell' ourselves and learn about others)

2. What was the impact of a possible cash incentive on your behavior? (met more people; talk with them only superficially)

3. What are some useful conversation-openers that can help us overcome our reticence?

MATERIALS REQUIRED
Cash prizes

APPROXIMATE TIME REQUIRED
As desired

SOURCE
Games Trainers Play, John W. Newstrom & Edward E.Scannell, McGraw-Hill.

COUNT THE F'S

OBJECTIVE
To illustrate that people see what they want to see: items of prominence catch our attention while seemingly less important items may pass on by.

PROCEDURE
Pass out face-down copies of the following page to the group. When everyone is ready, ask them to turn the paper over and simply count how many times the letter ' f ' appears on their sheet. Allow only a minute. Then, ask "How many of you got 3 F's?" "Who has 4 F's on their sheet? How about 5?.... Does anyone have 6?"

(About 50% of the group will see only 3 F's, 10% will see all 6 F's. The rest 4 or 5 on the sheet.)

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1.Why couldn't all of us initially see all 6 F's.
2. Have you observed situations where only the important things get attention? Who decides what is important?
3. How can we persuade people to pay more attention to detail? Is it always important?

MATERIALS REQUIRED
Sheet of papers as shown.

APPROXIMATE TIME REQUIRED
5-10 minutes

SOURCE
Games Trainers Play, John W. Newstrom & Edward E.Scannell, McGraw-Hill.

G E T T I N G A C Q U A I N T E D

OBJECTIVE
To allow participants to become acquainted through a structured exercise

PROCEDURE
At the opening session of a group meeting, each individual is given blank name tag. Each person completes the following items:

a) My name is ......................
b) I have question about .......................
c) I can answer a question about ....................

After being given a few minutes to respond to the statements, allow 10-15 minutes in which the group is encouraged to meet and mix as many people as possible.

MATERIALS REQUIRED
Blank name tags

APPROXIMATE TIME REQUIRED
15-20 minutes

SOURCE
Games Trainers Play, John W. Newstrom & Edward E.Scannell, McGraw-Hill.

IDEA EVALUATION

OBJECTIVE

To cultivate a number of new ideas and to encourage group participation

PROCEDURE

Everyone is told in advance to bring at least one idea, exercise, activity,etc.to the next training session.These should be focused around some central theme. For example, how to handle 'problem' trainees.

As each person describe his or her idea to the group, a panel of 'experts' (three of the selected class members) instantly 'rate' the idea on prepared flash card 1-10. The trainer tabulates each total and announces the winners at the end of the time period.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

a) How many people gained at least one useful new idea today?

b) Did this process spark any additional ideas in your mind?

c) Can you think of some other areas in which this method can be applied?

MATERIALS REQUIRED

Three sets of flash cards (5X8 index cards) which each set with a number from 1-10.

APPROXIMATE TIME REQUIRED

20-25 minutes

SOURCE

Games Trainers Play, John W. Newstrom & Edward E.Scannell, McGraw-Hill.

PEOPLE MAP

 

OBJECTIVE

To get to know one another

PROCEDURE

1) Ask participants to create a human map, by standing to indicate where they consider home.  Indicate North, East, South & West, then allow participants to position themselves to create a map.

2) Ask the person who is the furthest what their name is and where they come from.  Proceed to ask each major cluster where they come from.  In this process, participants may refine or improve their map.

MATERIAL REQUIRED

None

APPROXIMATE TIME REQUIRED

10 minutes

SOURCE

http://wilderdom.com

TRAINER'S ROLE

OBJECTIVE
To reach an understanding between trainer and trainee about the trainer's intended role in the session.

PROCEDURE
1) At the beginning of a session, invite the trainees to express to the group the various roles, attitudes and behaviors they wish the trainer to potray for them.
2) List these on a flipchart
3) Share with them a previously prepared set of your roles for that session.
4) Reconcile the two lists

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
a) What do you expect in the session that I do not intend to provide? What is the source of your expectations? (prior educational experiences, wishful thinking)

b) What do I intend to provide that you did not expect?
c) Do you anticipate any problems reconciling your expectations with my objections?

MATERIAL REQUIRED
Handout with list of intended roles

APPROXIMATE TIME REQUIRED
15 minutes

SOURCE
Games Trainers Play, John W. Newstrom & Edward E.Scannell, McGraw-Hill

H U M A N L A D D E R

OBJECTIVES
a) To develop trust & to be responsible for each other's safety.
b) To engage in unself-conscious physical contact with your group members.

PROCEDURE
1) Partcipants are paired and given one "rung" of the ladder.
2) Several pairs, holding a rung and standing close together from the ladder.
3) A climber starts at one end of the ladder and proceeds to move from one rung to another. As the climber passes by, the pair holding that ladder rung may leave their position and proceed to the end of the ladder, extending the ladder length indefinitely.

* The direction of the ladder may change at any time (e.g, right angle turn). Obstacles may be added and the height of the rungs also may vary.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
a) How did you feel when you were climbing?
b) When you were holding the rung, did you feelings change after the first climber passed by your position?
c) Did trusting people make you climb easier?

MATERIAL REQUIRED
6-10 smooth hardware dowel rods about 3 feet long, 1 1/4' in diameter.

APPROXIMATE TIME REQUIRED
30 minutes

SOURCE
Silver Bullet, Kendall Hunt Publishing Company.