I work with nearby schools, YMCA's and Latchkey programs to teach playground games.  You would be amazed how many schools have a four square court, tether ball court, even a "rover lines" they aren't using.  So I have been teaching kids to play most these games (Red Rover, and Crack the whip are too dangerous [...]

Filed under : Camp Leadership

The semaphore is a machine with two arms which may be moved into various positions to make letters. The semaphore code shown in the accompanying picture may also be employed by a person using two flags. It is the quickest method of flag signaling but is available for comparatively short distances, seldom over a mile, [...]

Filed under : Camp Leadership

"Sign" is the word used by Guides to mean any little details, such as footprints, broken twigs, trampled grass, scraps of food, old matches, etc.
Some native Indian trackers were following up the footprints of a panther that had killed and carried off a young kid. He had crossed a wide bare slab which, of rock, [...]

Filed under : Camp Leadership

Eratosthenes of Cyrene (b. c. 276 BC, Cyrene, Libya–d. c. 194, Alexandria, Egypt), Greek scientific writer, astronomer, and poet, the first man known to have calculated the Earth's circumference. At Syene (now Aswan), some 800 km (500 miles) southeast of Alexandria in Egypt, the Sun's rays fall vertically at noon at the summer solstice. Eratosthenes [...]

Filed under : Mini Lesson Plans

The idea of this game is to try how many sentences can be spoken without containing a certain letter which has been agreed upon. Supposing, for instance, the letter "f" is not to be introduced; the first player might ask: "Is this a new game to you?" The second player could answer: "Oh, no! I [...]

Filed under : Games for Camp, Classroom, Playground, and Backyard

The company should be seated in two lines facing each other, and one of the party should then be elected to act as judge. Each person has to remember who is sitting exactly opposite, because when the judge asks a question of any one, it is not the person directly asked who has to reply, [...]

Filed under : Games for Camp, Classroom, Playground, and Backyard

To play this game it is best for the players to arrange themselves in a half circle round the room. Then one begins: "I love my love with an 'A,' because she is affectionate; I hate her with an 'A,' because she is artful. Her name is Alice, she comes from Alabama, and I gave [...]

Filed under : Games for Camp, Classroom, Playground, and Backyard

This is a very old game, but is always a very great favorite. The more the players, the greater the fun. The way to play it is as follows: The players sit in a circle and begin to count in turn, but when the number 7 or any number in which the figure 7 or [...]

Filed under : Games for Camp, Classroom, Playground, and Backyard

The players sit in a row and the first begins by saying, "I am going on a journey to Athens," or any place beginning with A. The one sitting next asks, "What will you do there?" The verbs, adjectives, and nouns used in the reply must all begin with A; as "Amuse Ailing Authors with [...]

Filed under : Games for Camp, Classroom, Playground, and Backyard

To play this game it is best to sit in a circle, and until the end of the game no one must speak above a whisper.
The first player whispers a question to his neighbor, such as: "Do you like roses?" This question now belongs to the second player, and he must remember it.
The [...]

Filed under : Games for Camp, Classroom, Playground, and Backyard

As soon as manhood is attained, the young Indian must secure his "charm," or "medicine." After a sweat-bath, he retires to some lonely spot, and there, for four days and nights, if necessary, he remains in solitude. During this time he eats nothing; drinks nothing; but spends his time invoking the Great Mystery for the [...]

Filed under : Stories from the Indians

Each tribe has its own stories. Most of them deal with the same subjects, differing only in immaterial particulars.
Instead of squirrels in the timber, the Blackfeet are sure they were prairie-dogs that OLD-man roasted that time when he made the mountain-lion long and lean. The Chippewas and Crees insist that they were squirrels [...]

Filed under : Stories from the Indians

All night the storm raged, and in the morning the plains were white with snow. The sun came and the light was blinding, but the hunters were abroad early, as usual.
That day the children came to my camp, and I told them several stories that appeal to white children. They were deeply interested, [...]

Filed under : Stories from the Indians

The white man has never understood the Indian, and the example set the Western tribes of the plains by our white brethren has not been such as to inspire the red man with either confidence or respect for our laws or our religion. The fighting trapper, the border bandit, the horse-thief and rustler, in whose [...]

Filed under : Stories from the Indians

I am sure that the plains Indian never made nor used the stone arrow-head. I have heard white men say that they had seen Indians use them; but I have never found an Indian that ever used them himself, or knew of their having been used by his people. Thirty years ago I knew Indians, [...]

Filed under : Stories from the Indians

The Indian believes that all things live again; that all were created by one and the same power; that nothing was created in vain; and that in the life beyond the grave he will know all things that he knew here. In that other world he expects to make his living easier, and not suffer [...]

Filed under : Stories from the Indians

Bright and early the next morning the children were playing on the bank of "The River That Scolds the Other," when Fine Bow said:
"Let us find a Deer's foot, and the foot of an Antelope and look at them, for to-night grandfather will tell us why the Deer has the dew-claws, and why [...]

Filed under : Stories from the Indians

The rain had passed; the moon looked down from a clear sky, and the bushes and dead grass smelled wet, after the heavy storm. A cottontail ran into a clump of wild-rose bushes near War Eagle's lodge, and some dogs were close behind the frightened animal, as he gained cover. Little Buffalo Calf threw a [...]

Filed under : Stories from the Indians

There had been a sudden change in the weather. A cold rain was falling, and the night comes early when the clouds hang low. The children loved a bright fire, and to-night War Eagle's lodge was light as day. Away off on the plains a wolf was howling, and the rain pattered upon the lodge [...]

Filed under : Stories from the Indians

Have you ever seen the plains in the morning—a June morning, when the spurred lark soars and sings—when the plover calls, and the curlew pipes his shriller notes to the rising sun? Then is there music, indeed, for no bird outsings the spurred lark; and thanks to OLD-man he is not wanting in numbers, either. [...]

Filed under : Stories from the Indians

I was awakened by the voice of the camp-crier, and although it was yet dark I listened to his message.
The camp was to move. All were to go to the mouth of the Maria's—"The River That Scolds at the Other"—the Indians call this stream, that disturbs the waters of the Missouri with its [...]

Filed under : Stories from the Indians

The next afternoon Muskrat and Fine Bow went hunting. They hid themselves in some brush which grew beside an old game trail that followed the river, and there waited for a chance deer.
Chickadees hopped and called, "chick-a-de-de-de" in the willows and wild-rose bushes that grew near their hiding-place; and the gentle little birds [...]

Filed under : Stories from the Indians

Not so many miles away from the village, the great mountain range so divides the streams that are born there, that their waters are offered as tribute to the Atlantic, Pacific, and Arctic Oceans. In this wonderful range the Indians believe the winds are made, and that they battle for supremacy over Gunsight Pass. I [...]

Filed under : Stories from the Indians

Firelight—what a charm it adds to story-telling. How its moods seem to keep pace with situations pictured by the oracle, offering shadows when dread is abroad, and light when a pleasing climax is reached; for interest undoubtedly tends the blaze, while sympathy contributes or withholds fuel, according to its dictates.
The lodge was alight [...]

Filed under : Stories from the Indians

It was rather late when we left War Eagle's lodge after having learned why the Indians never kill the Mice-people; and the milky way was white and plain, dimming the stars with its mist. The children all stopped to say good night to little Sees-in-the-dark, a brand-new baby sister of Bluebird's; then they all went [...]

Filed under : Stories from the Indians

Muskrat and his grandmother were gathering wood for the camp the next morning, when they came to an old buffalo skull. The plains were dotted with these relics of the chase, for already the hide-hunting white man had played havoc with the great herds of buffalo. This skull was in a grove of cottonwood-trees near [...]

Filed under : Stories from the Indians

The sun was just sinking behind the hills when we started for War Eagle's lodge.
"To-morrow will be a fine day," said Other-person, "for grandfather says that a red sky is always the sun's promise of fine weather, and the sun cannot lie."
"Yes," said Bluebird, "and he said that when this moon [...]

Filed under : Stories from the Indians

When we reached War Eagle's lodge we stopped near the door, for the old fellow was singing—singing some old, sad song of younger days and keeping time with his tom-tom. Somehow the music made me sad and not until it had ceased, did we enter.
"How! How!"—he greeted us, with no trace of the [...]

Filed under : Stories from the Indians

Autumn nights on the upper Missouri river in Montana are indescribably beautiful, and under their spell imagination is a constant companion to him who lives in wilderness, lending strange, weird echoes to the voice of man or wolf, and unnatural shapes in shadow to commonplace forms.
The moon had not yet climbed the distant [...]

Filed under : Stories from the Indians

Another night had come, and I made my way toward War Eagle's lodge. In the bright moonlight the dead leaves of the quaking-aspen fluttered down whenever the wind shook the trees; and over the village great flocks of ducks and geese and swan passed in a never-ending procession, calling to each other in strange tones [...]

Filed under : Stories from the Indians

What a splendid lodge it was, and how grand War Eagle looked leaning against his back-rest in the firelight! From the tripod that supported the back-rest were suspended his weapons and his medicine-bundle, each showing the wonderful skill of the maker. The quiver that held the arrows was combined with a case for the bow, [...]

Filed under : Stories from the Indians

Trust Fall Platform:
Props: Red Course A.L.: 3-5
D.L.: 5
Focus: Trust
Credit: Kimball Camp YMCA
Circle. Explain to the group that this is the final test of their teamwork abilities. If they can see their entire group through this activity, they will have accomplished their goal. If not… Explain to them that this is a [...]

Filed under : Mini Lesson Plans

Trust Dive:
Props: Red Course (Staggered Trust Fall) or Stairs (by Ridge)
A.L.: 5
D.L.: 4
Focus: Trust/Cooperation
Credit: Cowstails and Cobras H (page 55)
Have the group line up in two straight, parallel lines. Have them zipper their hands (see diagram on "Trust Fall") and raise them up (the impact of the person jumping will [...]

Filed under : Mini Lesson Plans

Roadrunner Canyon:
Props: Yellow Course
A.L.: 4
D.L.: 2-5 (Depending upon how well your group works together.)
Focus: Caring / Cooperation
Credit: Kimball Camp YMCA
You have been invited to go on an expedition. Realizing that when International Geographic says "invitation" they mean "paycheck", you hastily agree to go. You are promptly shipped off to [...]

Filed under : Mini Lesson Plans

Yurt Circle:
Props: Just Your Group
A.L.: 3
D.L.: 3
Focus: Trust Cooperation/Caring
Credit: Cowstails and Cobras H (page 73)
Fun Background: A tribe of Indians used to do this activity as part of a sacred ceremony. They would assemble the braves (sorry ladies!) and do this activity. (If they can do it with over two [...]

Filed under : Mini Lesson Plans

Wind In The Willows / Trust Circle:
Props: Just Your Group
A.L.: 3
D.L.: 3
Focus: Trust Caring
Credit: Kimball Camp YMCA
This activity can make or break a group. I use this when I don't think the group is ready for the Trust Fall platform. It is CRITICAL that the group comes together for this [...]

Filed under : Mini Lesson Plans

Everybody Up:
Props: Just your group
A.L.: 3
D.L.: 2
Focus: Trust l Cooperation
Credit: Silver Bullets (page 100)
Have each person find a partner, sit on the floor, and face each other. They must put their feet together, bend their knees, link their hands, and pull themselves up to a standing position. When [...]

Filed under : Mini Lesson Plans

Group Lap-Sit / Sitting Circle:
Props: Just Your Group
A.L.: 2
D.L.: 2
Focus: Trust Cooperation
Credit: Kimball Camp YMCA
Circle. (Circle is used in place of assemble the group into a circle, facing inward, and awaiting further instructions.) Have the group turn to face the back of the person in front of them. (Kind of [...]

Filed under : Mini Lesson Plans

Blind Trust Walk:
Props: Just your group (or optional rope and/or blindfolds)
A.L.: 2
D.L.: 2
Focus: Trust Communication
Credit: Kimball Camp YMCA
Have each person find a partner. Assemble the group into a straight, double file (?) line, where the partners are standing next to each other in the line. Hand out blindfolds (optional) to [...]

Filed under : Mini Lesson Plans

Survival Simulation:
Props: Survival Simulation crate and matches (bring spares for yourself)
A.L.: 2
D.L.: Varies depending upon skill of group and weather conditions
Focus: Caring / Cooperation / Communication
Credit: Kimball Camp YMCA
Please see attached sheets.
Focus:
Cooperation. It can be tough to work together, especially in a group with too many leaders and [...]

Filed under : Mini Lesson Plans

Trust Scavenger Hunt:
Props: Two opaque (non-see through) bags.
A.L.: 1
D.L.: 2
Focus: Trust / Communication Credit: Teams Kit (page 271)
Divide the group into two and give each group a bag. Have them go out and collect random items. After a set time (say, oh, about 10 minutes), call the groups back together and [...]

Filed under : Mini Lesson Plans

The Maze:
Props: Green Course
A.L.: 1
D.L.: 2
Focus: Caring Trust
Credit: Cowstails and Cobras II (page 103)
Very simple, very easy. Clip up the bungee cords in any pattern you like, provided that it forms a maze-like shape with one clear entrance and one clear exit. Blindfold the group or allow them to close [...]

Filed under : Mini Lesson Plans

The Wall:
Props: On Field
A.L.: 5
D.L.: 5
Focus: Cooperation
Behold! The Wall! Even though you have done a great job for them over the years, International Geographic has decided to send you back to basic training. You spend every morning for a month locked in a dark classroom. Educational slides are projected against [...]

Filed under : Mini Lesson Plans

Wild Woozy:

Props: Yellow Course
A.L.: 5
D.L.: 4
Focus: Cooperation
Credit: Kimball Camp YMCA
Divide your team up in groups of two. (Ideally, partners should be of near to equal size, however different sizes and abilities make for interesting situations.) One pair stands upon the rope at the start of the triangle of [...]

Filed under : Mini Lesson Plans

Michelin Gorge:
Props: Tires over Stream, Waterproof Boots
A.L.: 5
D.L.: 4
Focus: Cooperation / Caring
Credit: Cowstails and Cobras II (page 115-117)
Okay! I can't think of a story! I have sat and sat and sat some more, but I still can't find a really cool and different story to put with this activity. [...]

Filed under : Mini Lesson Plans

Giant Hootenerainataneous:
Props: Just Your Group!
A.L.: 5
D.L.: 4
Focus: Cooperation I Communication
Credit: Kimball Camp YMCA
Draw two lines on the ground at least ten feet apart. Tell the group that they have been sent out ,y fun to say, Giant Hootenerainataneous (henceforth referred to as Hoot ). These creatures are exceptionally rare, [...]

Filed under : Mini Lesson Plans

Ball Bounce:
Props: Large Inflatable Ball (Earth Ball)
A.L.: 5
D.L.:_ 3
Focus: Cooperation
Credit: Cowstails and Cobras II (page 60-61)
Circle. The game is very simple. See the large ball? The facilitator will throw it into the air and the group, working together, will have to keep the ball up in the air. How do [...]

Filed under : Mini Lesson Plans

The Electric Fence / High – Low:
Props: Green Course
A.L.: 4
D.L.: 4
Focus: Cooperation / Caring
Credit: Kimball Camp YMCA
You are out on assignment with International Geographic, exploring the grasslands of Africa. While photographing a pride of lions (with a funny-looking blue baboon, a smelly boar, and a meerkat singing out [...]

Filed under : Mini Lesson Plans

Tire Pole:
Props: Yellow Course
A.L.: 4
D.L.: 3
Focus: Cooperation / Communication Credit: Cowstails and Cobras II (page 115)
Oh, no! While researching an upcoming spread on "Pollution and It's Impact On Small, Fluffy Creatures", you discover that the new multi-billion dollar, anti-pollution, pollution-control device installed on the specially-constructed, non-polluting factory's single, non-used smoke [...]

Filed under : Mini Lesson Plans

The Swamp:
Props: Green Course
A.L.: 4
D.L.: 2
Focus: Cooperation
Credit: Kimball Camp YMCA
Draw two marks upon the ground, spaced at least ten feet apart. (For more athletic groups. space them at least 20 feet apart.) While out on assignment for International Geographic, you, are sent deep within the heart of the Amazon Jungle, [...]

Filed under : Mini Lesson Plans

Group Jump Rope:
Props: Large climbing rope
A.L.: 4
D.L.: 2
Focus: Cooperation / Communication
Credit: Thank you gym class…
I would like to take a moment to apologize… I only am going to tell you the basics here. Get a partner, and swing a giant rope. Participants enter and jump rope one at a time [...]

Filed under : Mini Lesson Plans

The Meat Grinder:
Props: Yellow Course
A.L.: 3
D.L.: 4
Focus: Cooperation
Credit: Kimball Camp YMCA
Since International Geographic has failed to pay you for the last twelve expeditions they have sent you on, you decide to leave field research/photography and go to work at a place where your skills, wisdom and talents will serve [...]

Filed under : Mini Lesson Plans

Whale Watch Platform:
Props: Green Course
A.L.: 3
D.L.: 3
Focus: Cooperation
Credit: This is a Rohnke thing…
Sorry! No story! Just live with it…
Your group must stand upon the Whale Watch Platform and balance it in the middle, so that neither end touches the ground. When they have done so, they must keep [...]

Filed under : Mini Lesson Plans

Nitro Crossing:
Props: Red Course
A.L.: 3
D.L.: 3
Focus: Cooperation 1 Caring
Credit: Cowstails and Cobras II (page 104)
Your group is the top flame-jumpers in the country! You have been sent in on over 10,000 flame jumps, and have only been fried and toasted 9,999 times (not counting the current mission). Despite the multiple [...]

Filed under : Mini Lesson Plans

Two-Person Crab Walk:
Props: Just Your Group
A.L.: 3
D.L.: 2
Focus: Cooperation / Trust
International Geographic was so impressed by your Hoot pictures (if you've done that activity before this one) that they actually felt sorry that the check they gave you bounced. They decide to send you on another mission to photograph the Junior [...]

Filed under : Mini Lesson Plans

Amoeba Race:

Props: Rubber chicken (or a bucket of water)
A.L.: 3
D.L.: 2
Focus: Cooperation
Credit: Kimball Camp YMCA
Circle. Kimball Camp YMCA [or the name of the group leader, your school, etc..] has a problem: some idiot has left a rubber chicken wedged dangerously close to its heart. Your group has volunteered for [...]

Filed under : Mini Lesson Plans

Warp Speed:
Props: Tennis Balls and a Stop-Watch
A.L.: 3
D.L.: I
Focus: Cooperation / Communication
Credit: Cowstails and Cobras II (page 83)
Circle. Have everyone place their right hand within the circle. Put a tennis ball in the hand of one person. Explain to the group that they must move the tennis ball around the [...]

Filed under : Mini Lesson Plans

Parachute Play:
Props: Parachute
A.L.: 3
D.L.: 1
Focus: Cooperation/Caring
Credit: Second grade gym class at Hillcrest Elementary School, Ellsworth, WI :)
Circle. Spread out the parachute around the group and have them take a few steps back. (Note: For outside rim.) With the parachute tight, have the group practice the basic parachute move. Shout "Up!" [...]

Filed under : Mini Lesson Plans

Nitro Can Pass:
Props: Coffee can / bucket of water
A.L.: 3
D.L.: 1
Focus: Cooperation
Credit: I'm fairly certain this activity came from Karl Rohnke, but I'm not sure which book…
Circle. Have the group take a seat upon the ground, facing inward. A nuclear reactor has just gone critical. Unfortunately, some idiot left a [...]

Filed under : Mini Lesson Plans

Blind Object Retrieval:
Props: Blindfolds and an object (bucket of water, coffee can, rubber chicken, etc.)
A.L.: 2
D.L.: 4
Focus: Cooperation
Credit: Kimball Camp YMCA
Have the group assemble in a circle on the edge of a wide open space (fields and/or playgrounds work well). Hand out blindfolds to everyone in the group and have [...]

Filed under : Mini Lesson Plans

Touch The Can:
Props: Your average soda can!
A.L.: 2
D.L.: I
Focus: Cooperation
Credit: Silver Bullets (page 108)
Circle. Most people don't truly realize just how lonely it can be being a pop can. I mean, think about it: you spend most of your life waiting, just waiting for someone to come along, to [...]

Filed under : Mini Lesson Plans

Spider Web:
Props: Yellow Course
A.L.: 4
D.L.: 3-5
Focus: Communication / Cooperation / Caring
Credit: Kimball Camp YMCA
You have been sent out by International Geographic, that world-wide magazine of nature and the bizarre. Recently, surveillance satellite photographs taken by International Geographic as it was mapping Africa have discovered a valley which was previously [...]

Filed under : Mini Lesson Plans

The Trolley:
Props: The Trolley
A.L.: 3
D.L.: 3
Focus: Communication / Cooperation
Credit: Silver Bullets (118-120)
Mount Camp Kimball, exploded since the "All Aboard" activity, continues to spew lava all around the camp. You managed to protect yourself by standing on the only area of camp where lava would not flow, but the rest [...]

Filed under : Mini Lesson Plans

Robin Hood and Little John / T.P. Shuffle:
Props: Green Course
A.L.: 3
D.L.: 3
Focus: Communication / Cooperation
Credit: Cowstails and Cobras II (page 112)
Have the group stand on the telephone pole. Cover your mouth and then look up. Wait until everyone has had a chance to glance up before beginning. (If not everyone [...]

Filed under : Mini Lesson Plans

Human Knot:
Props: Just Your Group
A.L.: 3
D.L.: 3
Focus: Communication Cooperation / Caring
Credit:,. Kimball Camp YMCA
Circle. Have everyone raise their right hand. (For some .groups,-this will take longer than the activity. (P.S. Hope everyone has deodorant on!)) They will reach out and take hold of another right hand, as long as [...]

Filed under : Mini Lesson Plans

All Aboard:
Props: Towel (larger is better) or
A.L.: 3
D.L.: 3
Focus: Communication / Cooperation
Mount Camp Kimball was thought to be an extinct volcano. Unfortunately, those silly scientists were clueless again, and the volcano just blew its top! (Shades of Dante's Peak here!) Well, when I got out of bed this morning. I [...]

Filed under : Mini Lesson Plans

Toxic Waste:
Props: Tin can, water, bicycle tube, ropes
A.L.: 2
D.L.: 4
Focus: Communication / Cooperation
Credit: Boy Scouts of America
You did so well with removing the nitroglycerin from the nuclear reactor meltdown (if you've done that activity), that the Nuclear Energy Regulatory Department (N.E.R.D.s for short) have decided to give you a promotion [...]

Filed under : Mini Lesson Plans

Mine Field:
Props: Carpet squares and blindfolds
A.L.: 2
D.L.: 3
Focus: Communication Credit: Silver Bullets (page 24)
Before this activity begins, lay out a maze of carpet squares within definite boundaries. Have the group split into pairs and have each couple stand on the starting line. Hand blindfolds out to the group, and have them, [...]

Filed under : Mini Lesson Plans

Group Juggle:
Props: Tennis balls
A.L.: 2
D.L.: 2
Focus: Communication
Credit: Cowstails and Cobras II (page 84)
Circle. The facilitator then takes one tennis ball from the crate beside them (trust me. you will need plenty of tennis balls for this activity) and then throws it to someone in the group, (henceforth designated [...]

Filed under : Mini Lesson Plans

Blind Square:
Props: Blindfolds
A.L.: 1
D.L.: 2
Focus: Communication / Cooperation
Credit: Cowstails and Cobras II (variation of page 81-82)
Circle. Have the group hold onto hands, shut their eyes (or blindfold them) and Listen closely. They are, now, in a circle. They must form themselves into a perfect square without opening their eyes! They [...]

Filed under : Mini Lesson Plans

Animal Attack:
Props: Cards with animal names on them, tape
A.L.: 2
D.L.: 1
Focus: Communication Credit: Kimball Camp YMCA
While out on a mission for International Geographic, you have chanced upon the mythical Castle of Sight. This castle, according to legend, possesses a unique power. Any who enter in will be changed into some kind [...]

Filed under : Mini Lesson Plans

Imagination Station:
Props: Tinker Toys (2 buckets) and 2 towels
A.L.: I
D.L.: 1
Focus: Communication
Credit: Kimball Camp YMCA (though a written variation of this is found in Quicksilver, page 174))
Have the group talk it over and nominate a spokesperson who will be their Foreman. When they have chosen, have the representative go off [...]

Filed under : Mini Lesson Plans

Birthday Line-Up:
Props: Just your group (blindfolds optional) or TP Shuffle in the Green Course
A.L.: I
D.L.: 1
Focus: Communication
Credit: Kimball Camp YMCA (is also in almost every Low Rope manual out there)
Have the group line up in any particular order. Then, have them line up by last names. They are allowed to [...]

Filed under : Mini Lesson Plans

Chocolate Factory:
Props: Prop Clothes, a spoon, a fork, tape, large chocolate bar, newspaper, two dice
A.L.: 4
D.L.: 4
Focus: SOTR
Credit: Kimball Camp
I know, you're wondering what a SOTR activity is doing in the "Challenge" section. The reason I threw this in, though, is because it is a tried and true activity and [...]

Filed under : Mini Lesson Plans

The Straw That Broke:
Props: 100 wrapped soda straws, 1 roll of scotch tape, a pair of scissors and a 10" circle of cardboard.
A.L.: 2
D.L.: 5
Focus: Communication & Cooperation.
Credit: Don't know. Lots of book have it, but we have done it a long, long time ago…
Not much of a story. Sorry. [...]

Filed under : Mini Lesson Plans

Hammeroids:
Props: Rubber-handled carpenter's hammer, one 12" ruler, 14" section of nylon cord A.L.: 1
D.L.: 5
Focus: Communication
Credit: Quicksilver (page 160)
First of all, I would like to deny anything to do with the naming of this activity. The guy who created it, a man from Project Adventure New Zealand, created the name, created [...]

Filed under : Mini Lesson Plans

Balance The Nails:
Props: Block of wood w/ nail in it, 12 nails
A.L.: 1
D.L.: 5
Focus: Communication
Credit: Not sure. Classic of Low Ropes.
The object of this activity is to balance all twelve nails (or any even number of nails) on the single nail pounded into the block. You are only allowed to [...]

Filed under : Mini Lesson Plans

Balance The Egg:
Props: 1 egg (raw)
A.L.: 1
D.L.: 5
Focus: Communication
Credit: Book of Metaphors, Volume II (page 131)
Very simply put, you have one egg, a long, flat, hard, unmovable surface and your brain power. All you have to do is balance the egg on the point without using anything other [...]

Filed under : Mini Lesson Plans

Marshmallow Bridges:
Props: Marshmallows, toothpicks, two blocks of wood
A.L.: 1
D.L.: 1-5 (the longer, the tougher)
Focus: Communication, Cooperation
Credit: Kimball Camp YMCA Nature Center (Geodomes)
Well, ladies and gentlemen, it has finally come to this: the city is broke. We promised the voters more; a bigger, better city of (Your city’s name), and that's [...]

Filed under : Mini Lesson Plans

The Great Egg Drop:
Props: Eggs, Straws and Masking Tape
A.L.: 1
D.L.: 1-5 (Trying to get it to survive Dante’s Peak? 5 is way too small!)
Focus: Communication / Cooperation
Credit: Cowstails and Cobras II (though it's been done forever")
Mars, the red planet, the source of countless alien invasions, is now the place [...]

Filed under : Mini Lesson Plans