Team-Building Campout

EDU 506 Assignment 3March 2, 2009

By Liz Stewart, Amy Smith and Beth Smith

Team-Building CampoutOverview

• Rationale: Why a campout?• Tent Assembly• Simple Outdoor Cooking • Team-Building Games and Activities• Resources and Links

Why a campout?

• Fun, non-competitive atmosphere• Build communication skills• Nature appreciation• Students work together to achieve

goals• Build self-esteem, learn new skills• Students feel part of the group

Setting Up A Tent

• Find a clear, level spot to place tent to lay down the tarp

• Lay tent out flat

Setting Up A Tent

• Sort out tent poles• Insert tent poles• With another person, bend pole upward

and secure• Repeat with second pole

Setting Up A Tent

• Insert poles into tent fly• Put fly over top of tent and secure to tent.• Stretch out tent and stake into ground at 4

corners and sides

Outdoor Cooking“Quick” Energy; Fun, Inclusive Activity

Campfire Safety Rules 1. Choose a safe spot under proper

weather conditions.2. Use stones for a fire ring.3. Have a shovel and a pail of water

nearby.4. Never leave a fire unattended.5. No loose clothing. Hair back.6. No horseplay around a fire. Get

rid of tripping hazards.7. Extinguish fire after cooking.

Outdoor Cooking“Quick” Energy; Fun, Inclusive Activity

Dinner on a Stick Use a food-safe green stick,

make a point on cooking end

• Hot dogs – plain or with biscuit mix strip wrapped around

• Biscuits: Pat thin layer of biscuit mix around stick point. Cook until toasted and light brown. Remove from stick, fill opening with butter and jam

• S’mores

Outdoor Cooking“Quick” Energy; Fun, Inclusive Activity

Pie Iron Cooking• Need one pie iron for two students• Use pre-cooked ingredients for a

safe, ready-to-heat-and-eat meal• Use buttered bread for the top and

bottom layers• Have heavy oven mitts ready to

remove hot foodFilling Ideas:

• PBJ• Tuna salad• Grilled cheese• Apples and cinnamon sugar• Canned pie filling• Sliced meat• Pizza sauce, pepperoni, mozzarella

cheese

Outdoor Cooking“Quick” Energy; Fun, Inclusive Activity

Foil Packet Cooking• Spray heavy-duty foil squares with non-

stick cooking spray• Place ingredients in center of packet. • Fold foil into packets, label with permanent

marker• Cook on hot coals, turning packet with

tongs as needed

Foil Packet Ideas• Cooked chicken, sliced vegetables, Italian

Dressing• Bacon slices, cooked potato slices or frozen

hash browns• Hamburger, chopped onions, 2 T. rice, ¼

cup water• Sliced apple, cinnamon sugar• Baked potatoes (small)

Important Things to KnowAbout Team-Building Activities

• Practice giving clear, concise directions.

• Be persistent, but flexible. If it really isn’t working, move to something else.

• Do not tolerate negative attitudes and comments. Make sure there are specific consequences for students who are discouraging their peers.

• Know your students’ limits and areas in which they need improvement.

• Research new and creative activities so the students will remain interested and engaged.

Ice Breakers

• Primary purpose- to break the ice!

• This should be the first team-building activity.

• Focus on similarities and common interests among students.

• Work in pairs or small groups first, then whole-group activities.

Interactive Songs

• Students will love and remember singing songs together.

• It does not matter if you think you cannot sing! If you are enthusiastic, they will be, too.

• Make sure the songs are easy to learn. Examples: “Repeat After Me” songs Songs with hand motions

and actions Songs with a simply melody

and lyrics

Team Challenges

• Make sure students are ready to face a challenge together.

• It is crucial for all students to understand the rules entirely.

• Adjust the activities to be challenging, but not impossible.

• Allow students to make mistakes, but keep the rules intact.

• Do not tolerate discouraging or negative comments.

Resources and Links• Picture 1:

http://lifestyle.resourcesforattorneys.com/camping/index.php?d=15&m=07&y=08&category=6

• Picture 2http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/1361432035066410139ijdPJioutdoors.webshots.com

• Picture 3http://www.webstart.com/jed/house/jpg-images/cf-put-up-tent.jpg

• Picture 4http://www.trailjournals.com/images/gear/lightning.jpg

•  Picture 5http://image52.webshots.com/152/6/1/50/414160150IYFkvY_fs.jpg

• Outdoor Cooking: www.pieirons.com• Outdoor Adventure Handbook by Hugh McManners