Upward Bound

“Upward Bound”. Divide team into groups of 2 to 6. Give each person one 8 1/2” x 11” sheet of paper and one 5” strip of masking tape. Instruct each team to build the tallest possible free-standing structure. This exercise promotes cooperation, creative thinking, problem-solving, consensus, leadership and division of labor.

I utilized this activity in conjunction with my camp counselors interview process. They take part in group interviews, a group activity, and then present an idea for a camp session. I watch how they interact with one another, adapt to situations and help one another! This was a quick activity, cheap to conduct and I had a blast watching them work with one another!

To see more pictures from this activity - click here!

Road Map Game

Objective: For group members to work together to plan an event

Group Size: 4 or more

Materials:

·         One map for each team

·         Paper

·         Pens or pencils

Description:

Divide the group into teams of two to eight and give each group a map. The map can be of the state you live in, of the whole country, or of a specific area, but give each group a copy of the same map. Instruct the teams to plan a vacation, working within the parameters you set for them. Give each group a list of what they have for their trip, how much money, what kind of car, size of gas tank, m.p.g., price of gas, start or end destination, size of town they can find gas in, amount of time they have, and anything else you can think of. Also, give each group paper and a pen or pencil for writing down their travel plans. Any group that runs out of money or gas will be disqualified. You may give "awards" to the team that saw and did the most with what they had, or for the most exhausting trip, the most relaxing, etc.

Talking Points:

·         Was this a fun task for your group? Why or why not?

·         Did everyone give the same amount of input?

·         Were any of your ideas rejected? If so, how did you feel? Did you stop giving ideas?

·         What is the hardest part about group decision making?

·         Would you want to go on the trip you planned?

·         Would you want to go on a trip that another group planned?

·         Are vacations usually fun or stressful for you? Why?

Brainstorming Results from Ohio 4-H Volunteer & Teen Conference

For a printable (pdf) list of the ideas from the 2012 Ohio 4-H Volunteer and Teen Conference, Click Here

Pool Noodle Tag

COD or MW3

Going out to Eat After Meetings

Fundraiser: Horse Show

Challenge Parks: Go Karts, Laser Tag, Paintball

Ball Name Game

Paintball

Camping

Ghost Walk

Charter Fishing

Fishing as a Group

Trips to the Mall

Bonfire

Dance Party

Overnight at Zoo

Swimming

Canoeing

Duck Duck Goose

Human Knot

Relay Races

Community Service Events

Baseball Game

Ice Cream Social

Human Knot

Dinner with the Group

Hiking

Bonfire

Camping

Pizza Party

Ice Cream Social

Group Games

Zoo Overnight

Laser Tag

Inspirational Speakers

Zoo

College Visits

Visit Nursing Homes

Inspirational Speakers

Sing Songs

Pot Luck Dinner

Go Karts

Who is It – Question/Answer Game

Mafia

Trail Rides

Hiking

Paintball

Magic Carpet Game

Party/Social with Food and Games

Retreat

Birthday Month Game

Monthly Paper Drive

Specific Retreats “Scrapbooking Retreat”

Overnight at Zoo

Community 4-H Day/Showcase

Nature Walks

Dinner with Group

Swimming

Outdoor Games

Camping

Paintball

High Ropes

Lock-In

Camping

Retreat at State Park

Sap Collecting

Bowling

Bonfire

Hayride

Hiking

Ninja Game

Mafia

Geocaching

Bowling

Skating

Paintball

High Ropes

Camping

Outdoor Cooking

Grilling Out

Campfire

Dutch Oven Cooking

Community Easter Egg Hunt

Basketball

Football

Water Balloon Fights

Bonfire

Cookouts

Paintball

Zoo

Columbus Clippers Game

Snow Tubing

Scavenger Hunt

Basketball

Volleyball

Swimming

Pizza Party

Football

Baseball

Volleyball

Swimming

Make Ice Cream

Game: 3 on a Sofa

Make Dog Treats for Local Dog Shelter

Bring your Pet to a Meeting Night

Baking as a Group

Repelling

Demonstrations

Demonstrations

Trail Riding

Rock Climbing

Hiking

Canoeing

Lock In

Nature Preserve

Cook for a Group

Speed "Dating"

Have you ever had the challenge of introducing a large group of unfamiliar teenagers to each other? I can assure you that it's not a easiest experience I have ever encountered. So, I bring to you.... experiment speed "dating".

1. Divide your group into two rows like pictured above. 

2. Begin by telling them that they will need to be able to describe everyone they speak to in the form of two positive traits by the end of the evening. The list that I provided them included names and the traits listed on this pdf document that you can download. 

3. One group will remain stationary the entire time. The other will move in the same direction after each turn. (group means line in this case). 

4. Each time they "meet" a new person they will be asked a new question. (For a list of ideas for questions I just printed this list off) Once they answer it, the other person answers it. Please note, make sure the questions you ask will work appropriately for your audience and group you are working with.  

5. In order to keep the groups moving quickly, time each question for 45 secs, and have them move so each question is about 1 minutes of time. 

Pros: 

This activity worked well for my groups from each county to get to know each other. 

The youth were able to learn new and interesting things about their fellow members. 

Cons:

It was very loud at times. 

Youth sometimes would just say "I don't know" and end the conversation. 

What are your experiences with speed dating and youth? Did it help your group?

Why Team Building?

As a professional that works with youth on a regular basis, I often find that youth are less than challenged by team building favorites. My hope with this blog is to begin posing new ideas I find on other webpages, and post about how well they work (or don't) with the youth I work with.

The idea of the name comes from a presentation I recently did at a teen conference. I found that youth were VERY excited to take a look at new ways of doing team building, and finding way to build a team bond with their teen groups.

I look forward to collaborating with others and integrating old leadership techniques with new methods!