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 [...]

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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 [...]

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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 [...]

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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 [...]

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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 [...]

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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 [...]

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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 some [...]

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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 [...]

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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) [...]

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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 [...]

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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 [...]

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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 [...]

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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 [...]

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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 wire. [...]

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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. [...]

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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, [...]

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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 [...]

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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 of [...]

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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 [...]

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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 [...]

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