Team-Building Campout

EDU 506 Assignment 3March 2, 2009

By Liz Stewart, Amy Smith and Beth Smith

Team-Building CampoutOverview

• Rationale: Why a campout?• Tent Assembly• Simple Outdoor Cooking • Team-Building Games and Activities• Resources and Links

Why a campout?

• Fun, non-competitive atmosphere• Build communication skills• Nature appreciation• Students work together to achieve

goals• Build self-esteem, learn new skills• Students feel part of the group

Setting Up A Tent

• Find a clear, level spot to place tent to lay down the tarp

• Lay tent out flat

Setting Up A Tent

• Sort out tent poles• Insert tent poles• With another person, bend pole upward

and secure• Repeat with second pole

Setting Up A Tent• Insert poles into tent fly• Put fly over top of tent and secure to tent.• Stretch out tent and stake into ground at 4

corners and sides

Outdoor Cooking“Quick” Energy; Fun, Inclusive Activity

Campfire Safety Rules 1. Choose a safe spot under proper

weather conditions.2. Use stones for a fire ring.3. Have a shovel and a pail of water

nearby.4. Never leave a fire unattended.5. No loose clothing. Hair back.6. No horseplay around a fire. Get

rid of tripping hazards.7. Extinguish fire after cooking.

Outdoor Cooking“Quick” Energy; Fun, Inclusive Activity

Dinner on a Stick Use a food-safe green stick,

make a point on cooking end

• Hot dogs – plain or with biscuit mix strip wrapped around

• Biscuits: Pat thin layer of biscuit mix around stick point. Cook until toasted and light brown. Remove from stick, fill opening with butter and jam

• S’mores

Outdoor Cooking“Quick” Energy; Fun, Inclusive Activity

Pie Iron Cooking• Need one pie iron for two students• Use pre-cooked ingredients for a safe,

ready-to-heat-and-eat meal• Use buttered bread for the top and

bottom layers• Have heavy oven mitts ready to

remove hot foodFilling Ideas:

• PBJ• Tuna salad• Grilled cheese• Apples and cinnamon sugar• Canned pie filling• Sliced meat• Pizza sauce, pepperoni, mozzarella

cheese

Outdoor Cooking“Quick” Energy; Fun, Inclusive Activity

Foil Packet Cooking• Spray heavy-duty foil squares with non-stick

cooking spray• Place ingredients in center of packet. • Fold foil into packets, label with permanent

marker• Cook on hot coals, turning packet with tongs

as neededFoil Packet Ideas

• Cooked chicken, sliced vegetables, Italian Dressing

• Bacon slices, cooked potato slices or frozen hash browns

• Hamburger, chopped onions, 2 T. rice, ¼ cup water

• Sliced apple, cinnamon sugar• Baked potatoes (small)

Important Things to KnowAbout Team-Building Activities

• Practice giving clear, concise directions.

• Be persistent, but flexible. If it really isn’t working, move to something else.

• Do not tolerate negative attitudes and comments. Make sure there are specific consequences for students who are discouraging their peers.

• Know your students’ limits and areas in which they need improvement.

• Research new and creative activities so the students will remain interested and engaged.

Ice Breakers

• Primary purpose- to break the ice!

• This should be the first team-building activity.

• Focus on similarities and common interests among students.

• Work in pairs or small groups first, then whole-group activities.

Interactive Songs

• Students will love and remember singing songs together.

• It does not matter if you think you cannot sing! If you are enthusiastic, they will be, too.

• Make sure the songs are easy to learn. Examples: “Repeat After Me” songs Songs with hand motions

and actions Songs with a simply melody

and lyrics

Team Challenges• Make sure students are

ready to face a challenge together.

• It is crucial for all students to understand the rules entirely.

• Adjust the activities to be challenging, but not impossible.

• Allow students to make mistakes, but keep the rules intact.

• Do not tolerate discouraging or negative comments.

Resources and Links• Picture 1:

http://lifestyle.resourcesforattorneys.com/camping/index.php?d=15&m=07&y=08&category=6

• Picture 2http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/1361432035066410139ijdPJioutdoors.webshots.com

• Picture 3http://www.webstart.com/jed/house/jpg-images/cf-put-up-tent.jpg

• Picture 4http://www.trailjournals.com/images/gear/lightning.jpg

•  Picture 5http://image52.webshots.com/152/6/1/50/414160150IYFkvY_fs.jpg

• Outdoor Cooking: www.pieirons.com• Outdoor Adventure Handbook by Hugh McManners