Back to Activity Guides : Get the Acrobat Version

#1-1014

Introduction

Congratulations on your purchase of TeamTimbers. The activities described in this guide are meant for a group of up to 16 people. Some activities can be done with as few as 2 people. You can work with groups larger than 16 with this equipment, but you may need to have some people act as observers, spotters or referees.

Before leading any activity with TeamTimbers you must put the safety of the participants first and foremost in your mind. The most important thing you can do as a leader is to create a safe learning environment. The activities must be led in such a way as to protect the participants� physical safety as well as their emotional safety. Putting safety first will help participants increase their level of trust in you and the program. When the participants feel safe, they are going to have more fun and get more out of the activity.

This activity guide is divided into sections by shape configuration. The activities follow a description of how to build the shape, and each shape lends itself to different activities.

The activity description provides many of the details you�ll need to successfully present the exercise to your group. For best results, read about the activity prior to working with your group and practice setting up the TeamTimbers for that activity.

A list of rules accompanies each activity. In leading the activities, you can simply cite the rules or read them from the activity guide. It�s important as a leader to know how and when to change, modify or bend the rules for a particular group. Changing the rules midsteam of an activity is very challenging, but when done effectively, the group feels empowered.

General Procedures And Safety Guidelines

IMPORTANT SAFETY MESSAGE: The following people should avoid participating in TeamTimbers activities: 1) People weighing 250 pounds or more; 2) People who are at risk for heart attack; 3) People with back pain or injury; 4) People with joint pain or injury (knee, ankle, hip, neck, etc.); 5) People who have unusual difficulty balancing. If you are unsure as to whether one of your participants should participate, DO NOT allow them to participate.

Always set up the TeamTimbers on a flat surface. Do not elevate the TeamTimbers.

Don�t use the TeamTimbers in a manner other than that described in this activity guide.

Inspect the TeamTimbers prior to any use. Check all metal pieces for cracks or abnormal wear. Check the boards for cracks that may lead to a broken board or splintering. If the Team Timbers do not pass this safety inspection, do not use them.

Prior to allowing a group to use the TeamTimbers, always double check your work for safety. It is preferable to have a co-facilitator inspect your work for safety.

Store the TeamTimbers on a flat surface in a dry area.

The Importance Of Spotting

Some of the activities presented here require spotting so as to reduce the chance of serious injury. For this reason, you must be able to convey the importance of proper spotting.

Spotting is the art of protecting a team member�s head and upper body from the impact of a fall. Spotting does not mean you catch a person when they fall. It does mean that you create a cushion, effectively slowing down their fall. Effective spotting requires that all participants pay close attention to what�s going on. If the group or any member of the group is not ready to participate in an activity that requires spotting, choose another activity that doesn�t require spotting.

To be effective spotters, participants must have a high degree of trust. If participants have been into horseplay or are using language (or other forms of communication) that takes away from the feeling of trust, then you must reconsider any activity that involves spotting. Spotting is a difficult task to teach because the potential spotter usually doesn�t recognize their importance until they actually have to support a falling body.

• Explain the concept and meaning of spotting (see above).
• Practice spotting with participants before they actually need to use the skill in an activity.
• Promote the attitude that teasing and joking about not catching someone has no place in your program.
• The activities in this guide require at least 2 spotters, and depending on the skill and ability level of your particular group, more spotters may be necessary.
• Supervise spotters closely.
• The leader must model spotting. The leader must participate in spotting, paying close attention to the head, neck and upper back.
• A good spotter shares the responsibility of spotting equally. It is easier and safer to work as a team when spotting.
• Spotters should stand in a balanced position, holding hands up in a �ready position,� or as some say, �bumpers up.� Spotters must focus on the participant(s).
• Spotters should cushion a fall, not catch and hold, and should move with the direction of force.
• When lifting one of the participants is required for a group to successfully solve a challenge, the leader must teach participants how to safely lift so that injury can be avoided. Remember, lift with the legs, not with the back.

Debriefing The Activity

• Encourage the group to review both the task and the process (most groups tend to focus on the task).
• Clarify and focus the comments of the group and provide helpful information (data).
• Call attention to details that may have been overlooked.
• Assist the group in discovering what they have experienced as opposed to telling them what they experienced.
• Be comfortable with the time between the question you ask and the often quiet period before someone responds.
• Help participants see the link between their behavior (their choices) and the outcome.

• Providing too much information at the beginning of the activity so that participants have little to discover for themselves.
• Talking more than listening.
• Leading participants to the �classic solution� instead of allowing them to reach the goal in their own unique way.
• Processing the experience in more detail than is required.
• Stopping the activity too frequently.
• Not waiting for a teachable moment.
• Encouraging the group to be creative and then restricting this creativity with unnecessary rules or guidelines.
• Leading an activity without a clear outcome and purpose in mind.

Box-Shape Activities

How To Build the �Box� Shape
1. Start with a flat surface.
2. Layout all four TeamTimbers into the shape of a square (box), see Figure B-1.
3. Using four (4) Quick Pins (one at each corner), secure the TeamTimbers bracket at the four corners (see Figures B-2 and B-3).
4. Double check all connections for safety and security.

Description - 6 to 16 participants divide into two groups. The two groups stand at the same corner in a line then step onto the box one by one. Every other person travels around the box clockwise while the rest of the group travels around the box counter-clockwise. The two groups must pass each other in their effort to travel completely around the box.

Rules - 1) People must stay in contact with other teammates at all times; 2) If anyone falls off or steps off, an appropriate penalty is given (that person is blindfolded, that person starts over, everyone starts over, etc.).

Safety - Participants must stay in contact with at least one other person at all times. This will help prevent people from jumping from one board to another. Encourage participants to support one another. Remind participants that if they are going to fall off a board they should not pull others off with them.

Variations - 1) Allow no verbal communication once you step on the board.

Description - A group of up to 16 people stand on the box with equal numbers on each side. The objective is for each side to get to the side opposite them. Each side divides itself in half with half of one side traveling to the opposite side in a clockwise direction and half of one side traveling in a counter-clockwise direction. Keep in mind that each of the 4 people on each of the 4 sides must travel to the side opposite them in the same way (half clockwise, half counterclockwise) which results in LOTS of movement. See Figure B-4.

Rules - 1) People must stay in contact with other teammates at all times; 2) If anyone falls off or steps off, an appropriate penalty is given (that person is blindfolded, that person starts over, everyone starts over, etc.).

Safety - Participants must stay in contact with at least one other person at all times. This will help prevent people from jumping from one board to another. Encourage participants to support one another. Remind participants that if they are going to fall off a board they should not pull others off with them.

Variations - 1) Allow no verbal communication once you step on the board.

Description - The participants step onto the box and make room for the entire team. The group facilitator tosses several pennies onto the ground inside the box. The group must locate and retrieve as many coins as possible. This activity works best when the box is set up outside in the grass where the coins become partially hidden.

Rules - 1) Team members must stay in physical contact with at least one other person; 2) If anyone falls off or steps off, an appropriate penalty is given (that person is blindfolded, everyone starts over, etc.); 3) Team members may not touch the ground.

Safety - Participants must stay in contact with at least one other person at all times. Encourage participants to support one another. Remind participants that if they are going to fall off a board they should not pull others off with them.

Description - Two people step onto the box simultaneously at opposite corners. The pair has a 9-foot rope between them, which acts as their only source of support. Each person travels around the box in a clockwise direction. The pair uses the rope as a support tool to aid their balance.

Rules - If anyone falls off or steps off, the pair starts again.

Safety - Participants must be spotted.

Variations - If someone falls off, you can provide a penalty (blindfold, no verbal communication, etc.).

Description - The group surrounds the box while standing on the ground with equal numbers on each of the four sides. All at once, the group steps up onto the box. The group picks a direction (clockwise or counter-clockwise) to travel in. The goal is for the entire team to travel around the box in the same direction to make it all the way back to where they originally started.

Rules - 1) People must stay in contact with other teammates at all times; 2) If anyone falls off or steps off, an appropriate penalty is given (that person is blindfolded, that person starts over, everyone starts over, etc.).

Safety - Participants must stay in contact with at least one other person at all times. This will help prevent one or more people from jumping from one board to another. Encourage participants to support one another. Remind participants that if they are going to fall off a board they should not pull others off with them.

Variations - Allow no verbal communication.

[email protected]
1-YEAR GUARANTEE OF SATISFACTION