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| This free team building activity is not the best choice for people who are used to solving these kinds of problems. |
I learned this exercise in 1997, when I took a group of 12 year olds on a youth leadership camp with the South African Parks Board. Since then, I have used this team building game with people of all ages, races and backgrounds. The exercise can be used for different outcomes, depending on your focus. It's rich in possibilities and directions. Interestingly enough, children find it easier to accomplish than adults.
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Free team building ideas: Island diagram.
Outcome possibilities
Where: Outdoors Total time: 60 – 90 minutes, Exercise: 10-20 minutes, Debrief: 45 – 60 minutes Materials * Ski-rope 20 or 30m long * Bucket of water (with a rim on the top) * Chalk * Watch/ Timer Pre-set up * Draw a large square on the ground, * Draw another small square in the center, large enough for the bucket, * Place the bucket of water on the inside square. |
Instructions to participants
"You are stranded on a beach. Each of you is infected with a deadly disease. In 20 minutes you will die. There is an island with medicine in a bucket. Exactly enough for each of you. What separates you from this medicine is an ocean of acid. You have a rope as your tool to get this bucket of medicine. If you touch the acid, you die. If the the acid touches the rope or the bucket, it burns through them. If any of the medicine spills, some of you will not be able to get your dose. Should this happen, you must choose which of you will be chosen for doses and which of you will not be able to have a dose. You will be asked to explain what is behind your decision. You have exactly 20 minutes."
| When people step over the line or are responsible for the rope touching the acid, call out: “YOU ARE DEAD”. Give the 'dead' participants a role to help monitor the others. Do not get involved during the game. Simply observe calling the time. Alternative option for the team facilitator. If the group spills the medicine, you have an option to change the game from problem solving to decision making based on values and judgments.You can leave this decision for the debrief. |
The Solution
Do you see how the rope is used in the photo below? It needs to be twisted until it is tight.
Free team building activities DEBRIEF questions
Some questions you can ask:
- During the exercise, what happened?
- What role did you take?
- How did you feel emotionally?
- At what point were you uncomfortable/ excited/ frustrated?
- What were you thoughts at this point?
- What was your level of listening skill?
- How did you communicate?
- How did you plan?
- How did the leader get permission to lead?
- What kept you passive or what motivated you to be active?
- If you gave up, what were you experiencing just before you stopped engaging?
- When you were given the instructions - what were your expectations?
Unpacking team building games is an art. Team and group facilitation takes extra sensitivity on the part of the facilitator, so that each person involved in the session feels safe enough to acknowledge their learning areas, their needs, their achievements and is willing to give and receive constructive feedback. Think of as many questions as you can before you try this free team building exercise out so that you are well prepared. Most groups are quick to point out the mistakes others made. Keep people focused on their own behavior until each member is able to take full responsibility for their own actions. Feedback between participants should only be facilitated, if you are experienced at team facilitation and feedback methods. Keep an awareness of the team atmosphere. Check in for safety factors, responsibility, ownership, honesty and openness. |
Free team building activities ideas for 'Applications & Action Plans'
Some exercises for participants to take away with them.
- Describe in emotional detail the vision of teamwork for your company. Consider the results, leadership, the experience for the individual, atmosphere etc.
- Identify two areas (personal or team) that you believe are limiting team effectiveness.
- Write 5 strengths of the team. Share and acknowledge them with your team.
- What one strength can you capitalize on. What step will you take to develop this strength?
- What two steps can you start today so that in future you can contribute differently to your team. Write these steps in your to do list.
- Write up a 3 month action plan.
- At the end of each month write a feedback report on the impact these changes have on the team and team targets.
The answers to these questions show you the underlying themes present in any problem solving situation. These are the elements that can disturb or enhance problem solving. These are the elements that, with awareness, can turn team work into a fun, learning and growing experience with lasting solutions. |
Get more free team building activities, ideas and learn about and structured facilitation.
2. Free Team Building Activities - Fruit Salad a great participation builder.
Team Building Ice Breakers
One of my favorite team building games is a team building ice breaker called Fruit Salad. Not only does it relax the room but it builds a high level of group participation and confidence. It definitely creates the right atmosphere for team facilitation . Source DramAidE. http://www.dramaide.co.za
Like many free team building activities that have been adapted, this game is based on musical chairs.
Click here for more on this team building ice breaker
More free team building activities will be updated each month.
We have made every effort to source exercises but most of these free team building activities have been passed on from one trainer to another.
Find out more about team building from our Team Building Information Center
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The Kalavati Team Approach
