RM’s AssemblyTeambuilding Activities

July 29, 2009

Activities Warm-Up/Icebreakers:

A. “Have You Ever”

B. “My Coat of Arms”

Teambuilding ActivitiesActivity 1 : “Interference” (Communication)

Activity 2 : “Team Skis” (Communication/Working Together)

Activity 3 : “Frenzy” (Coordination/Cooperation)

Have You Ever ?Description:

Active, fun group activity to explore and celebrate the rich diversity of people's past experiences.  Works well with large groups.

Mechanics: The instructor calls out different things that may or may not apply to each person.  If the item does apply to you, then run into the middle, jump in the air, and do a high 5 with anyone else who runs in.

If I Had My Life To Live Overby Erma Bombeck

If I had my life to live over, I would have talked less and listened more.

I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained and the sofa faded.

I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.

I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.

I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.

I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.

I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains.

I would have cried and laughed less while watching television - and more while watching life.

I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.

I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.

I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.

Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.

When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now go get washed up for dinner."

There would have been more "I love you's".. More "I'm sorrys" ...

But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute... look at it and really see it ... live it...and never give it back.

My Coat of Arms Objectives: • To give group members the opportunity to describe

qualities about themselves and to learn more about other members

• To build mutual support and trust.

Mechanics:• Members draw something that describes or symbolizes

responses to a question about themselves.

Interference

• Divide teams into three groups.• Team A will be the “senders”. Team B will be the

“receivers.” Team C will be the “Interferers”• Team A is given the message to be sent to

Team B. Team C’s goal is to distract and interfere with the transmission of the message.

• Do three rounds to allow each team to play each role.

Team Skis

• Two teams race towards a finish line using “duct tape” skis.

Presenting the Challenge1. Ask the group to stand behind one of the parallel lines and face the second parallel

line.2. Have everyone find a partner. If you have an odd number of people then there will beone group of 3 people.3. Provide each pair with two strips of duct tape that are long enough for this team of two

to put their feet on (lengthwise). Lay the duct tape on the ground parallel to each other

(approximately 6 inches apart) STICKY SIDE UP.4. Have each pair line up - one person behind the other, both facing the same direction.Then this team of two carefully steps on the duct tape and thus, the tape sticks to theirshoes and connects the pair.5. NOTE: Participants MUST wear shoes (no sandals).6. Presentation Script: “Your challenge is to travel from the line you’re now behind (thestarting position) over to and across the other (parallel) line. You must follow and obeythe rules throughout the game.” [read the rules below]Rules1. Feet must remain stuck to the duct tape from tip of shoe to heel.2. No ripping of the duct tape.3. Violation of a rule may result in a penalty.

• This challenge is unique in that it’s easy to figure out how to do but difficult to actually pull off. This challenge gets harder as the group gets larger (more people require a greater degree of concentration, balance, communication, etc.). This activity necessitates the exact timing of the group’s efforts for success and should, therefore, be used with a group that has worked successfully in the past (and now needs a harder challenge).

FrenzySetup and Objective: • Arrange 4 hula hoops on the ground spread out from each other at

the four corners of an imaginary 25 foot square; place with the one in the middle (imagine the dots on the five side of a dice).

• Place all tennis balls  in the middle (neutral) hoop. • Divide into four even teams. Assign a Team Leader. Have each

team pick a hula-hoop and stand by it. • Explain the object of the game: each team is trying to place all of the

tennis balls in its hoop; once you have all the balls, you win. Rules:• There is no throwing or tossing of the balls. • All the balls must be out of the middle before you can take them

from others hoops. • No defending the hoops.