ASKshownotes

#60: Thoughts About (and Activities for) Camp Staff Training

6/10/2022

Mentioned in the Episode

Greet Your Partner "As If" ...s/he is your best friend; ...s/he is someone you're meeting for the first time; ...you are getting together to reconcile a previous disagreement; ...you're getting together to discuss something that's bothering you.

If you're going to lead Name Games, be sure to let people practice with names they know so they can focus on the names they don't - "Test Out." They don't have to get an 'A' right off the bat. Have them take the 'test' as many times as they want until they get the grade they want. (Build those neural pathways.)

Later Letters - make your own postcards to yourself so you can read them mid-way through the summer for inspiration. You can also collect inspirational postcards during your travels to distribute to your staff for this activity. (Try searching 'postcard collections' to see all variety packs you can pick up.)

Other thoughts:
Create a fair amount of down time for staff so they can process what's going on and get some rest so they can take in new information with a rested brain.

Have one-on-one check-ins regularly to open up opportunities to ask questions privately and share their frustrations and successes.

Find Us At:
Michelle Cummings - Training-Wheels.com
(Online Store for Team Builders, Trainings, Activity Database, FREE Resources)
Sign up for Michelle's weekly E-Newsletter HERE
michelle@training-wheels.com

Chris Cavert - OnTeamBuilding.com & FUNdoing.com
(Online Store - Digital Downloads, Blogs, Online School, FREE Resources)
Sign up for the FUNdoing Fridays activity email HERE
chris@onteambuilding.com

Music from Josh (our Ask Michelle & Chris podcast editor)
OTB Graphics - RikiResources Mentioned in the Episode

#59: Reinvigorating Classices (Vol. 3) Group Juggle and TP Shuffle

5/19/2022

Thank you so much for your 'Ask' interest! The Show Notes will be here shortly....Spring fun is all around!

Find Us At:
Michelle Cummings - Training-Wheels.com
(Online Store for Team Builders, Trainings, Activity Database, FREE Resources)
Sign up for Michelle's weekly E-Newsletter HERE
michelle@training-wheels.com

Chris Cavert - OnTeamBuilding.com & FUNdoing.com
(Online Store - Digital Downloads, Blogs, Online School, FREE Resources)
Sign up for the FUNdoing Fridays activity email HERE
chris@onteambuilding.com

Music from Josh (our Ask Michelle & Chris podcast editor)
OTB Graphics - RikiResources Mentioned in the Episode

#58: The Challenge of Making Choices

5/3/2022

Find Us At:
Michelle Cummings - Training-Wheels.com
(Online Store for Team Builders, Trainings, Activity Database, FREE Resources)
Sign up for Michelle's weekly E-Newsletter HERE
michelle@training-wheels.com

Chris Cavert - OnTeamBuilding.com & FUNdoing.com
(Online Store - Digital Downloads, Blogs, Online School, FREE Resources)
Sign up for the FUNdoing Fridays activity email HERE
chris@onteambuilding.com

Music from Josh (our Ask Michelle & Chris podcast editor)
OTB Graphics - RikiResources Mentioned in the Episode

#57: Team Building with Paper

4/19/2022

Activities Mentioned in the Episode

Air Zones - Work together as a group, sharing combined knowledge, to make paper airplanes using 8.5 by 11-inch paper - one plane for each participant. Practice launching/flying the planes. For a tougher challenge, don't use the 'zone' area to practice.

Set up a 'launch line' and three launch zones - the first zone is the largest and closest to the launch line (about 12 feet), the furthest zone is about 20 feet and is the smallest. The mid-zone is in-between the closest and furthest zones, about 16 feet away from the launch line - a bit smaller than the first zone and bigger than the furthest zone. The closest zone to the launch line is worth 15 points, the mid-zone is 25 points, the furthest zone is 50 points.

Before the official launch, show the group the launch area and share the point value for each zone, then ask everyone in the group how many points they plan to contribute to the team - based on what zone they plan to go for. Add up all the individual goals to establish an overall 'group' goal. Then, each person receives one plane launch, from behind the launch line. Keep track of points as you go. Some participants may decide to adjust their goal in order to reach the overall group goal.

With application knowledge, play a couple more rounds to see how goals are adjusted and attained.

NOTE: Chris talked about an easier version of Air Zones. Crumple up the paper into a tossable object. Then, play the same as above. In this version, Chris does not provide time to practice tossing. Players make their best guess, set a goal and go for it.

Stepping Stones - One piece of paper for each player. Use the paper 'stones' to step on to get from point 'A' to point 'B.' Stepping off the paper results in the loss of a stone (i.e., piece of paper).

Tallest Tower - Small groups of three work together to build the tallest, free standing, tower. Using only paper.

Paper Tear - Check out This Video for the details.

Off the Ground - Each player starts with one piece of paper. For each Round, the group goal is the same: Everyone in the group must be off the ground/floor at the same time (i.e., not touching the ground at the same time). Start with everyone standing on his/her piece of paper - no part of a person may be touching the ground, or anything else. Done.

Then, take away three pieces of paper. Go for the goal. Yes, papers can be relocated. Done. Take away two pieces of paper. Go for the goal. Then, take away one piece of paper before the next few Rounds. Ultimately, the group will not have enough paper to stand on. But, does the group really need the paper to accomplish the goal? What if they all simply jumped up into the air at the same time?

Do you have a favorite Paper Team Builder? Leave us a Comment.

Find Us At:
Michelle Cummings - Training-Wheels.com
(Online Store for Team Builders, Trainings, Activity Database, FREE Resources)
Sign up for Michelle's weekly E-Newsletter HERE
michelle@training-wheels.com

Chris Cavert - OnTeamBuilding.com & FUNdoing.com
(Online Store - Digital Downloads, Blogs, Online School, FREE Resources)
Sign up for the FUNdoing Fridays activity email HERE
chris@onteambuilding.com

Music from Josh (our Ask Michelle & Chris podcast editor)
OTB Graphics - RikiResources Mentioned in the Episode

#56: How Do We Choose Activities That Interest Our Students?

4/5/2022

If you have a question or comment about this episode, click HERE.

Find Us At:
Michelle Cummings - Training-Wheels.com
(Online Store for Team Builders, Trainings, Activity Database, FREE Resources)
Sign up for Michelle's weekly E-Newsletter HERE
michelle@training-wheels.com

Chris Cavert - OnTeamBuilding.com & FUNdoing.com
(Online Store - Digital Downloads, Blogs, Online School, FREE Resources)
Sign up for the FUNdoing Fridays activity email HERE
chris@onteambuilding.com

Music from Josh (our Ask Michelle & Chris podcast editor)
OTB Graphics - RikiResources Mentioned in the Episode

#55: New Activities We're Using (and Excited About)

3/22/2022

Resources Mentioned in the Episode

Floor Safe - Venn Key Punch Variation You can check out all the details and the short video at this FUNdoing Blog Post.

TENZI Macro - HERE'S a write-up and video of one version at the FUNdoing Blog. If you don't know about 'regular' Tenzi, HERE'S some videos using smaller dice. Now, imagine 10 larger foam dice rolled by a small team to get onezies, twozies and beyond! (The full description this activity is under 'Dice Games' in, Team Building from the Toy Aisle.)

Dude Mingle - In this fun connection activity, everyone receives a card and is instructed to only say the word, "Dude" in the way it's expressed on the card. Without showing cards to anyone, participants attempt to gather with others like them, only by the way they say, "Dude." (Click the link for more details and a video from Michelle and the option to buy your Dude cards.)

We'd love to hear from you. Submit your questions and other comments HERE.

Find Us At:
Michelle Cummings - Training-Wheels.com
(Online Store for Team Builders, Trainings, Activity Database, FREE Resources)
Sign up for Michelle's weekly E-Newsletter HERE
michelle@training-wheels.com

Chris Cavert - OnTeamBuilding.com & FUNdoing.com
(Online Store - Digital Downloads, Blogs, Online School, FREE Resources)
Sign up for the FUNdoing Fridays activity email HERE
chris@onteambuilding.com

Music from Josh (our Ask Michelle & Chris podcast editor)
OTB Graphics - RikiResources Mentioned in the Episode

#54: Phrasing - Thinking Through the Words We Use When Leading Activities

3/8/2022

The EMPTY Bag: Non-Stop, No-Prop Adventure-Based Activities for Community Building - You can find 'Chicken Circles' and a whole lot more fun in The EMPTY Bag. Find it at the Training Wheels online store.

Stepping Stones - check out this quick video.

We'd love to hear from you. Submit your questions and other comments HERE.

Find Us At:
Michelle Cummings - Training-Wheels.com
(Online Store for Team Builders, Trainings, Activity Database, FREE Resources)
Sign up for Michelle's weekly E-Newsletter HERE
michelle@training-wheels.com

Chris Cavert - OnTeamBuilding.com & FUNdoing.com
(Online Store - Digital Downloads, Blogs, Online School, FREE Resources)
Sign up for the FUNdoing Fridays activity email HERE
chris@onteambuilding.com

Music from Josh (our Ask Michelle & Chris podcast editor)
OTB Graphics - RikiResources Mentioned in the Episode

#53: No Prop Activities for Groups of Up To 50! (Safe Distancing Approved)

2/15/2022

Resources Mentioned in the Episode

Verbal Number Exchange - Go to this FUNdoing Blog Post for a full write up.

Clasped Hands - Check out Michelle's Blog post for details.
Here's the Quick Idea: "Without thinking, clasp your hands together interlocking fingers. This is your normal way of clasping - feels okay, right? Look at your hands and notice which thumb is on top of your clasp - the right or left. Now, open up your fingers and re-clasp them so that your other thumb is on top. How does this feel? You're basically doing the same thing, you just changed which thumb is on top." This is a nice experience to open up a conversation about change...

Flaps, Winks and Laughs - here's a quick summary of the activity:

Round 1: Ask everyone to think of a number in their head - a 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 (don't verbally share). Get into groups communicating ONLY by flapping arms like a bird (bird sounds are okay!!) - no verbal language. Stay with those like you - same number of flaps - or venture out and find others like you and bring them back to the fold. When everyone has made it into a group, check each numbered group - they respond with a good bird call.
Round 2: In your head, choose a different number from 1 to 5. Get together with those like you only communicating with winks (of the eye) or blinks (if you can't wink). Stay with those like you or venture out and find others like you and bring them back to the fold. When everyone has made it into a group, check each numbered group - they respond with a good yell.
Round 3: In your head, choose another different number from 1 to 5. Get together with those like you only communicating with Belly Laughs (e.g., If I'm a 2, I say, "Haa, Haa!" with gusto). Stay with those like you or venture out and find others like you and bring them back to the fold. When everyone has made it into a group, check each numbered group. Each group responds together with their number of laughs.

Handshakes - This link goes to a FUNdoing Blog post (video included) with guest star Michelle Cummings. Chris and Michelle show a variety of handshakes. NOTE: Be creative with handshakes if you are safely distancing. We call them, "Virtual Connections."

We'd love to hear from you. Submit your questions and other comments HERE.

Find Us At:
Michelle Cummings - Training-Wheels.com
(Online Store for Team Builders, Trainings, Activity Database, FREE Resources)
Sign up for Michelle's weekly E-Newsletter HERE
michelle@training-wheels.com

Chris Cavert - OnTeamBuilding.com & FUNdoing.com
(Online Store - Digital Downloads, Blogs, Online School, FREE Resources)
Sign up for the FUNdoing Fridays activity email HERE
chris@onteambuilding.com

Music from Josh (our new Ask Michelle & Chris podcast editor)
OTB Graphics - Riki

#52: Recommitting and Keeping That Fire Burning

2/1/2022

Keep the Fire Burning Through the Year - Ideas

Use your Word of the Year to motivate progress. Where do you want to go?
Use a Word of the Month to help you focus on a monthly commitment.
Challenge yourself to try something new during each of your team building programs (Chris has done this for over 20 years. It's a way to keep learning and puts a little 'newness' excitement and mystery in a program.)
When you're out and about, look around you with your team building eyes. You never know when a new idea will show up - an idea that could help you work with your groups.
Read! Even if it's just 15 minutes a day. Explore what's written to help you learn and grow. Check out the FUNdoing Blog (Chris') - lots of activity ideas to explore. The OnTeamBuilding Blog (Chris') is filled with articles to keep you learning. Michelle's Blog is also filled with lots of great information. (All three suggestions include short reads you can fit into your busy days.) Read Recommendation from Chris: The Obstacle is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumphs, by Ryan Holiday. (Check out the Downloadable 'Obstacle Cards' Chris created using quotes from this book.) You can get through each insightful chapter in about 15 minutes!
Get together with like-minded people (face-to-face, virtual or both). Play, talk, create, disagree, think together! If you're learning you're growing. You just can't help get excited about trying something new with your groups.
Find the places that help you recharge and use them often. Here is an undeniable fact: 'Batteries' only last so long. Then they need to be replaced or recharged. How will you do this for your batteries.

Submit your questions and other comments HERE.

Find Us At:
Michelle Cummings - Training-Wheels.com
(Online Store for Team Builders, Trainings, Activity Database, FREE Resources)
Sign up for Michelle's weekly E-Newsletter HERE
michelle@training-wheels.com

Chris Cavert - OnTeamBuilding.com & FUNdoing.com
(Online Store - Digital Downloads, Blogs, Online School, FREE Resources)
Sign up for the FUNdoing Fridays activity email HERE
chris@onteambuilding.com

Music from Josh (our new Ask Michelle & Chris podcast editor)
OTB Graphics - Riki

#51: Refections on 2021 - Hitting 50 and Over 10,000 Downloads

12/14/2021

Thank you so much for joining us this season. If there are any questions you have for us about this Episode, use the link below and ask away.

We're back in early February 2022!

Be well friend....

HELP US GET 2022 ROLLING! We would love to hear your ideas, answers, questions and comments! You can share here using the 'Comments' link to this post (above & below). You can also....

Submit your questions and other comments HERE.

Find Us At:
Michelle Cummings - Training-Wheels.com
(Online Store for Team Builders, Trainings, Activity Database, FREE Resources)
Sign up for Michelle's weekly E-Newsletter HERE
michelle@training-wheels.com

Chris Cavert - OnTeamBuilding.com & FUNdoing.com
(Online Store - Digital Downloads, Blogs, Online School, FREE Resources)
Sign up for the FUNdoing Fridays activity email HERE
chris@onteambuilding.com

Music from Josh (our new Ask Michelle & Chris podcast editor)
OTB Graphics - Riki