Electric Chicken!

Type: Energizer

Objective: To move from one area to another.

Approximate time: Unlimited

Activity: Participants must move from one area to another but must do so by passing the electric chicken. 

• If participant has the chicken, he/she cannot move, they may only pass it to someone else.  
• If the chicken drops or if someone moves while they have the chicken, the group must start over. 

Props: One rubber chicken

Potential processing outcomes: Teamwork, communication, fun

Moon Walk

Type: Group Development

Approximate time: 15 minutes

Number of participants: 10 - 15

Objective: For the group to make it from one spot to another while keeping their feet connected.

Activity:

• Line the students up next to each other, facing the same direction (shoulder to shoulder).

• Mark a line approximately 15 feet in front of the group and tell them they need to cross the line, but they need to keep their feet attached to the person next to them.

• Activity is complete when all members cross the line.

Props: None

Potential processing outcomes: teamwork, problem solving, communication

Moonball

Type: Energizer

Approximate Time: 10 minutes

Activity: Basic set up is to have participants keep a ball/object in the air. The rules/parameters as flexible and can be changed for the group. Examples of parameters:

• Participants may only touch the ball once and must wait until all other participants have touched it before repeating.
• Participants may hit the ball in any order, but they are all silent.
• Have group set a goal for the amount of touches before the ball hits the ground.
• Limit the limb (right arm, or left leg) they can use to touch the ball.

Props: beach ball (or similar)

Potential Processing Outcomes: Goal setting, Communication, Teamwork  

Higher Challenge: Mute all participants to see how well they do without talking.       

Mingle, Mingle, Mingle

Type: Icebreaker

Approximate Time: 10 minutes

Activity: Have participants move around the room at random. Facilitator will call out a number or attribute (i.e. blue shirts, brown shoes, eye color) for the participants to use as group size.  Once the groups are formed the facilitator will give them a question to discuss in their small group. After a given amount of time the individuals will go back to moving around the room until another group number/attribute is announced.  Repeat this process for all questions.

Props: None

Potential Processing Outcomes: Group Cohesion

Instructor Notes: Easy get to know you game that gets group members running around, ask if they found out anything new about other group members they did not know before.  It is a great way for participants to connect with one another.      

Just One Word

Type: Icebreaker

Approximate Time: 10 minutes

Activity: Lay out all the letters that create the phrase “Just one word” and inform participants they must use all the letters to make just one word.  They will struggle utilizing all of letters because they think they have to create one word out of all the letters instead of the phrase "Just one word."

Props: Cut out letters from the phrase “just one word”

Potential Processing Outcomes: Listening skills, Interpretation of Directions (Perspectives)

Instructor Note: There are numerous solutions to the initiatives that are going to be presented, there is no one right way to answer everything.    

Hog Call

Type: Energizer

Approximate Time: 10 minutes

Activity: Have group split up in pairs.  One partner is then blindfolded.  The other partner is "the caller."  Have the callers move away from their partner a distance set by the facilitator.  At the same time all the callers will try to get their partner to walk to them.  With all other participants yelling at the same time, it becomes very confusing. Increase the challenge by having them use an animal, or some other noise instead of their names.

Props: Blindfolds

Potential Processing Outcomes: Communication, trust, teamwork

Instructor Note: Safety.  Have blindfolded participants walk with their “bumpers up” (hands out in front of them) so they don’t run into one another. 

Group Lap Sit

Type: Icebreaker

Approximate Time: 15 minutes

Activity: Have participants stand in a circle. Each participant will turn and face the person to their right. Explain to them that the object is for the entire group to "sit" down at the same time on the lap behind them without falling. Have a facilitator or the group count off to start the activity. An added challenge would be for them to then stand back up as a group.

Props: None

Potential Processing Outcomes: Teamwork, trust, communication

Instructor Note: Make sure the group has the maturity to perform this icebreaker because spotting and safety is critical to the success of this activity.  If the group isn’t mature enough, don’t introduce them to this activity. You will also need to assess the groups' level of spacial comfort.

Superstar

Type: Ice Breaker

Approximate Time: 15 minutes

Activity: Facilitator has group form a circle.  The facilitator asks for a volunteer to be the first superstar in the middle. Ask the participant what they are a superstar in (volleyball, piano, talking, etc.)  The facilitator then asks for another volunteer. The second participant will be the bodyguard for our superstar, who is able to block the pictures from the paparazzi on the outside of circle.  The paparazzi (the outer circle) attempt to hit the superstar with one soft object (simulates taking a picture) while the bodyguard protects him/her from getting hit.  To begin get middle participants to close their eyes and hand out the soft object. Then say go. Great way to learn names and personal interests.      

Props: One soft object

Potential Processing Outcomes: Name game, everyone brings their own personal touch to a group.

Instructor Note: Safety: make sure object is soft and students do not throw object with all their might. No head shots!  

Gotcha!

Type: Energizer

Approximate Time: 5 - 10 minutes

Activity: Great warm-up activity. Participants stand in a circle and have their right thumb facing down into their neighbor's left palm and their left palm held out for their neighbor's thumb. When the facilitator yells “gotcha” participants must try to simultaneously lift their thumb so it doesn’t get caught while capturing the other participants thumb.       

Props: None

Potential Processing Outcomes: None

Group Count

Type: Energizer

Props:  NONE 

Activity: The group tries to count to twenty by shouting out numbers with no established order.  Anytime two people say the same number or speak at the same time, the whole group starts over.

Activity Specific: Land or Water based; General

Potential Processing Outcomes: Problem Solving

Approximate Time:  10 - 15 min

Additional Comments:  This could be a great energizer on a canoe or kayak trip.  And it will ensure people are in close enough convoy to play.

Port, Starboard, Bow, Stern

Type: Energizer

Props: Paddles

Directions:  Participants stand in a circle facing each other with their paddle in hand.  The facilitator will shout out one of the following, "Port" "Starboard" "Bow" or "Stern." Participants follow directions for each thing as described below.  If they mess up or their paddle falls they step out of the circle.  The may heckle from the outside of the circle as others continue to play. Go till there is one person left.
Port: leave paddle and move one paddle to the left. 
Starboard: leave paddle and move one paddle to the right. 
Bow: bow with paddle in hand.
Stern: Let go of paddle and turn 360 degrees then catch paddle before it falls.

Activity Specific: Land-based (canoe or kayak)

Possible Processing Outcomes: Listening under pressure (especially when hecklers are added)

Time Needed: ~15 minutes

Additional Comments: Great activity to help teach boat parts to beginners.