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

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 [...]

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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) 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, [...]

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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 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 [...]

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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 Jungle, [...]

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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 [...]

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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

Balance Practice:
Props: Funnoodles, balls, etc.. A.L.: 3
D.L.: 3
Focus: SOTR
Credit: Silver Bullets (page 147)
Very simple activity. Take a funnoodle and place it on your hand. Balance it for as long as you can. Feel free to run around to prevent the noodle from falling. Who can keep it on their hand [...]

Filed under : Mini Lesson Plans

All Screwed Up:
Props: Threaded rod (2'-6' in length), four nuts
A .L.: 3
D.L.: 3
Focus: Cooperation
Credit: Cowstails and Cobras II (page 88)
Have the group circle around. Hold up the threaded rod and the nuts. The activity is pretty straight-forward: the group must work together to thread the nuts from the top of [...]

Filed under : Mini Lesson Plans

Webbing Pass:
Props: Two tubular nylon webbings (Or ropes, hula hoops, bicycle tubes, etc….)
A.L.: 2
D.L.: 2
Focus: Cooperation (You'll get a great idea of how well your group can work together from this experience. Pay close attention, and you'll see what to focus on right away!)
Credit: Kimball Camp
Assemble the group in a [...]

Filed under : Mini Lesson Plans

The House:
Props: 40' rope
A.L.: I
D.L.: 3
Focus: Communication
Circle. Hand the group a 40' rope knotted in a circle and have them spread out so that the circle is fairly obvious. (In other words, don't let everyone stand in a straight line, two inches apart from each other, with a great deal of [...]

Filed under : Mini Lesson Plans

Group Yell:
Props: None
A.L: I
D.L.: I
Focus: SOTR (Sense of the Ridiculous)
Credit: Cowstails and Cobras II (page 45)
Yell. That's it. Have the group gather around and tell them they are going to do something serious. This is something which will require concentration, stamina, strength, skill, and require them to pay a few [...]

Filed under : Mini Lesson Plans

Activity: Scent Canisters
Props: Scent Canisters
Location: Anywhere
Remove a scent canister from the bag and hold it up. Explain to the students that they are not allowed to look inside the canister, but must figure out what is in it by what it smells like. Explain to them that the different scents could be [...]

Filed under : Mini Lesson Plans

Activity: Perspectives
Props: Nothing
Location: Forest
Gather the students around you and have them open their journal to the “Perspectives" page. Each student must then choose a tree that is at least twenty feet away and write a short description of it. After they have a short description written down, have them approach the tree [...]

Filed under : Mini Lesson Plans

Activity: Images
Props: Images Box
Location: Anywhere
Pull out an object from the box and pass it around. Students are to describe the object using short, one- to two-word phrases. Nobody can say the same thing about the object, but must find something different about it. The group may help if the person cannot think of [...]

Filed under : Mini Lesson Plans

Activity: Hug- A – Tree
Props: Blindfolds
 
Divide the class into groups of two and blindfold one of the partners. Have the sighted person lead the blindfolded one to a tree within sight of the Instructor. The person who cannot see is to explore the tree in any way they choose: touch, smell, taste (not [...]

Filed under : Mini Lesson Plans

Activity: Wildlife Communities
Props: Wildlife Communities Box
Location: In the forest
Explain to the students that you are looking around you and are totally impressed! Look at how busy this town. is. The factories are working overtime, the hardware store is open and the apartments are nearly full! What a huge community this is. (At this [...]

Filed under : Mini Lesson Plans

Activity: Camouflage
Props: Toothpicks colored
Location: On edge of forest (recommended)
Take toothpicks (preferable the colored kind), count out twenty and throw them out into the woods. The students must work together to find all of the toothpicks. Once they have them all brought back, count out forty toothpicks and try again.

Focus:
Natural camouflage. [...]

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Activity: Blind Trust Walk
Props: Blindfold, rope (optional
Location: Around the camp / Pointe
There are two main ways to do a blind rust walk: with partners or by rope.
With partners, you must divide the group up into pairs and blindfold one person from each group. The one with sight must follow the Instructor on [...]

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Activity: Ant's Eye View / Micro Parks
Props: Toothpick flags see box
Location: Forest
Tell the students that they have just become park rangers at a very unusual park: the Ant's Eye View National Park. They, as forest rangers, must come up with attractions that visitors to Ant's Eye View would like to see. Have the [...]

Filed under : Mini Lesson Plans