After youve covered a topic or concept in your lecture, divide students into small discussion groups (or breakout rooms online). Not sure what topics to cover? They can be especially helpful for remembering values, which you may already plan to discuss in your retreat. The board actually never leaves the ground. Other leaders blindfold all the youth and tell them that one at a time they are going to be lifted on the board, which will be about 3 feet off the ground, and see if they can walk across the board from one side to the other. Team sports are great retreat games for large groups. Advent Comic Strip. IDEAS will provide meals, transportation, and materials for activities. Of course, researchers have proven that physical exercise increases mental sharpness. Fortunately, finding ideas for workshops to include in a retreat can be pretty easy thanks to the plethora of sample agendas available online. They can then share the answers out loud or, if youre teaching remotely, on a discussion board, which is a great option for introverts as well. 2 0 obj You can do this in the office or outside on a company retreat, but either way, you're going to develop your communications skills and one of the more elusive leadership bonds trust. Consider volunteering with an organization that youd like to establish a long-lasting partnership with or one that directly benefits students and their needs. Adding some fun and levity to your classroom helps your students build informal connections with peers. 2. SQ[ws*W A tightened fist represents a rock sign. For online courses, instructors can make use of Zoom rooms to organize teams or groups. Then, prepare the needed equipment like fishing rods, boots, hooks, and bait. But, Ive found that most people arent sure of when or how to express genuine compliments that venture beyond surface-level remarks like, nice shirt!, great hat!, or I loved your program idea!. Divide students into teams and provide them with building materials, such as dry spaghetti, marshmallows, string and tape. After, provide the necessary materials to make engaging in the activities or games possible. as a way to introduce the framework for the retreat. A Dozen Essential Activities to Include in Any Student Leadership Retreat, Planning a retreat for student organization leaders can be a daunting task. Instructors should group up college students into small teams. Each person writes a letter of the alphabet on the cards (one per card), and then teams have a certain amount of time to make words from their letters. We also have a list of the best energizer games for large groups. Lemonade, lemon desserts, lemon dcor, all yellow, etc. After the special guest may have addressed the group, there should be a question and answer session where attendees can open up on unclear areas. 3. Have students put each goal in a quadrant then assign due dates. Pretend one team is your staff and the other is a round of budget cuts that you have to creatively survive. By incorporating group activities into your teaching, youre providing students with an opportunity to learn essential life skills theyll carry with them long after they graduate. A yet another exciting classroom activity that enhances interactivity in colleges is the use of the simulated press conference. When everyone is physically and mentally back from the break, you could use an energizer to prepare everyone to get back to work. We have some recommendations for you here, specific to higher education. Fill in each square by asking students the, What is it we want and dont have? 2023 teambuilding.com, all rights reserved | Terms | Privacy, list of the best energizer games for large groups. You can make this more challenging by offering clues or riddles rather than the names of items. As with icebreakers, there is science to back up the benefit of teambuilders. TED Talks are no longer niche, hidden gems. You dont need to hang out in an actual pub for this team-building activity; the idea is to mimic a trivia pub night, fostering teamwork in a fun environment by encouraging participants to work towards a common goal. Set a time limit (five-to-ten minutes) for each group to create a short skit tied to course content, based on the items in the bag. Heres how it works: Each team member is given a PVC pipe (though they could also use paper and tape, or paper towel rolls). The winner of a round then plays with the next group member. Many retreat centers offer educational activities. However, I think that some of the activities can be adapted for blind people. A Message of Hope from Isaiah. Next, pair peers up and encourage them to agree on a response. 3, 'Colored items', instead of using colors, you could use items of different shapes or different textures. So, how can you lead retreat activities without everyone begging for a nap session at the end? These activities help them exercise physically, which builds their mental sharpness. So, rather than the same ole uninspiring goal-setting exercise, why not mix it up? This team-building exercise helps students think outside the box. Another problem might be that the icebreaker doesnt facilitate familiarity. Prior to the retreat, ask each member of your team to tell you one song that they feel captures their personality, hits upon their professional goals, or speaks to their emotions regarding their work or your students. , plus you can sprinkle in shorter activities such as problem-solving games between other workshops. 3 0 obj Here is our list of the best group retreat activities. You can inform your team that the purpose of the activity is just to have the group enjoy a walk together. Statements can be tailored to your discipline such as what if everyone lived to 150 for a developmental class or what if there was no such thing as evolution for a biology class. Take that further by showing students how to make. <>/ExtGState<>/XObject<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/Annots[ 15 0 R] /MediaBox[ 0 0 612 792] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>> To host this party, decide whether or not the party will have a theme. The group should decide on the type of experience. Also, having a break between workshops that cover different topics lets students absorb the ideas of the last workshop before focusing on the next one. Have students put each goal in a quadrant then assign due dates. Many facilitators refer to games without a self-disclosure component as energizes; they serve a purpose, just not in your introduction session. For sports like volleyball, the beach will be a good location. The first step you should take is to decide the activity to learn. Stand Up Here's a simple one that requires no props. Set aside time during the retreat to reflect on personal and business performance over the previous year. You dont need to be a budding Andy Warhol or Frida Kahlo to enjoy it. What are some of your favorite retreat activities? Pose a new question, and the process is repeated, exposing students to the different perspectives of their entire team. They reflect next on how they felt, what they were reminded of, how they connect with their values, and other "affective" questions. In the middle, students list negative self-talk they find themselves using. Grace is the Director of People & Culture at TeamBuilding. When their time is up, the tallest freestanding tower wins. You can also rent a karaoke venue like a club or private lounge without going through the stress of setting up the machine. Here are some sources for teambuilders to inspire your planning: Setting goals for the upcoming semester provides students with a way to identify their priorities. Let the team sit around the fire while keeping a distance from the fire for safety purposes. Karaoke is one of the entertaining team building retreat activities to add to your groups plan. This helps to promote problem-solving, communication and great teamwork. Sample activities include having students draw an emoji or write one word to describe their current mood, or placing a sticker dot on a bullseye to represent if they think that the workshop is helping the group meet its goals. 2. Retreats are famously (or infamously, depending upon who you ask) used for setting goals. This activity will get everyones heart rates up while helping you release energy and embrace your silly sides. Invite campus departments and student-led groups to set up booths or games & activities to help promote their organizations in a fun, lively atmosphere. One team member explained how a shell (which he had just found) reflected his personality, and another shared a quirky memory inspired by the sand. Virtual Scavenger Hunt 2. It is pretty common to have the critical problems in a company simply solved over lunch. You should also check in with your office of diversity programs or multicultural affairs to tap into their expertise. Self-disclosure is a fancy way of saying that icebreakers encourage people to, But a weak icebreaker likely wont produce these benefits. Combine two pairs and have a group of four accomplish the same task. From there, students continue the conversation, prompting one another to support their claims with evidence from previous course concepts or texts. Also, you can place a time limit on how long a player can say a word. You can gather the group together, ask the members to channel their inner comedians, and tell jokes. The lack of resilience is interfering with the academic mission of the University and is thwarting the emotional and personal development of students.". Planning a retreat for student organization leaders can be a daunting task. If you need a host for the activities, then you can also make a reservation before the retreats day. Group agreements are a set of behavioral expectations that are co-created between the facilitator and the participants. Jennifer Gonzalez, Another problem might be that the icebreaker. Each team is then instructed to come up with questions about the topic that will be discussed. Get articles with higher ed trends, teaching tips and expert advice delivered straight to your inbox. 1. Creating connections in your classroom will ensure your students are engaged. %PDF-1.5 In this method, each group receives its own piece of easel paper to write their ideas on, then everyone hangs their paper up in the same room. Held in the mountains of northeastern Virginia, this exciting retreat came back in 2022, and registration is open for July 10 - 16, 2023. Then plan the menu and other activities to entertain the attendees. To do this, consider leading a centering activity. After a few minutes, encourage one or two members in each group to defend their position amongst a new group of students. Charades: Group members take turns to describe an action or phrase with just gestures. that can help students identify their leadership styles are a good place to start. 20 Unique Activities to Mix Up Your Next Staff Retreat, 75 Fantastic Program Ideas for First-Year Students, 22 In-Person Activities Students Can Enjoy While Maintaining a Social Distance, 12 Ways for Urban Institutions to Engage Students on Campus and Beyond, How You Can Help Student Orgs Thrive Under Social Distancing Measures, Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance, What Were Learning from Online Education, How to Stay Calm When You Know Youll Be Stressed. Sometimes, we as facilitators get so caught up in designing the activity that we forget the original purpose. You can use generic quiz questions (from the board game Trivial Pursuit, for example), or you could relate questions back to the course material. For smaller groups, you can also answer icebreaker questions, tell stories, or brainstorm ideas while you walk. In class, pose an introductory, open-ended question. The first order of business should be to create. When all is said and done, thank the students for attending the retreat and remind them to fill out a survey to help you improve future retreats. Yes, Segways look silly. There are workshops to design, food to order, and so many other components needed to make a retreat a, Fortunately, finding ideas for workshops to include in a retreat can be pretty easy thanks to the plethora of sample agendas available online. One great presentation method to consider is a gallery walk. For inspiration, here is a collection of icebreaker jokes. Many team-building activities incorporate such skills as active listening, questioning assumptions, giving clear directions, problem-solving or learning how to ask effective questions.. :u&` %B&p&2AEn-uU$+89,P%@Uq Engaging in team games and activities during a retreat can be relaxing for small and large groups alike. Fishing is a unique activity to engage in on a retreat, especially if many of your group members are fond of the pastime. #wd88?W. Word clouds can help your team visualize interconnected ideas and concepts. Taking a group class can get your team to bond during a retreat. I recommend avoiding games that involve elimination. Youll keep repeating the exercise, giving everyone a chance to do at least one round of tapping, until you run out of unique statements. (Just dont tell Gallup I told you about it.). Typically, I do this through experiential group activities. Another theme was "When Life gives you Lemons, make lemonade". Teams are given the task of carrying a marble or ball from a start line to a finish line, without it ever touching the flooror students hands. To do this, consider leading a centering activity. You do not have to make hiking competitive. The first person to laugh leaves the game. Facilitating this activity is as simple as drawing a matrix on an easel or whiteboard and labeling each of the quadrants with the four categories. Use breakout rooms in Zoom and randomly assign students in pairs with a discussion question. After all, most of your coworkers have likely seen (and done) it all. 4 0 obj This is not a comprehensive list of retreat locations. Not sure what topics to cover? Divide the class into teams of up to ten people and provide each team with a goodie bag filled with random items. Tell older children to divide a sheet of paper into three columns. Individual opinions are less important. These projects empower our students to effect change through awareness, advocacy, activism, and aid. Group agreements are a set of behavioral expectations that are co-created between the facilitator and the participants. When students are feeling anxious about an upcoming paper or test, taking deep breaths will help them calm down so they can focus on the task at hand. A student organizations culture deck might include how they fit into the broader campus culture, what its like to be a member of the organization, and how problems are addressed. from start to finish, including setting up a timeline, reaching out to co-sponsors, negotiating a contract, are available to them on campus is only the beginning. You can designate the planning to a committee in your group to make the entire retreat easier. Gather all of the song choices into a retreat playlist and play it during breaks. They give participants an idea of the facilitators leadership style. You can follow up the lunch with fun activities like icebreakers, a dance session, or other activities on your to-do list. Feel free to check out these lists of corporate retreat locations, company offsite ideas and team building exercises. If you are looking for additional ideas, check out this leadership activities database and list of virtual leadership activities. But be sure to set aside time for each team member to reveal which song they picked and why. These retreats are designed for students of all faiths and spiritualities. Shark Tank Shark Tank is a great interactive team building game for college students. 2 interactions, activities in nature, and reflection time designed to foster a sense of . Forget the one-sided lecture or PowerPoint. This activity helps develop students problem-solving and collaboration skills, with learners working towards a common goal. Dont have the budget for StrengthsFinder? The general purpose of a retreat is for participants to take time to pause and step outside of one's daily routines and practices, in order to reflect, rejuvenate, and gain new perspectives on one's relationships and life. I have some ideas 20, actually. The idea is to think ahead to what those failures might be,to put systems in place that will help minimize the damageor to prevent the bad things from happening in the first place. Creating an Advent Tree of Kindness. execute an efficient retreat for their student organization. The first player to complete the entire board or an entire row vertically, horizontally, and diagonally wins. After five minutes, have students share their picture with the larger group if theyre comfortablea fun way to help students feel like part of one interconnected community, particularly in the back-to-school season. Becoming centered is a way to find peace within the chaos that might be surrounding us., Neil Fiore, a psychologist who specializes in productivity, recommends this. Although the mention of icebreakers may make some participants groan, there is actually a bit of. that transitions people from fretting about the past or future to focusing on the present. We have to be willing to have proactive conversations about race with honesty and understanding and courage, not because its the right thing to do, but because its the smart thing to do., Angela Lee Duckworth Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance, Grit is sticking with your future, day in, day out not just for the week, not just for the month, but for years, and working really hard to make that future a reality. Its easy to forget to build breaks into the schedule. You may decide to have a fancy lunch outdoors in a buffet style. Ask students to prepare for a discussion by reviewing a course reading or group of texts and coming up with a few higher-order discussion questions about the text. 2 Maintain a Gratitude Journal Start right at the beginning of the retreat by inviting students to share their personal pronouns during icebreakers. can be broken down by their benefits into three types: Communication and collaboration improvers, These activities can fit almost anywhere into your retreat schedule! You could even invite students to join in on this part of the retreat. Download Now: 45+ Team-Building Activities. xYYoF~7d0JQ7nZN"jFr@;KJ2i1SL.e90dXNjo*qd:[dtZQ.'qLQ8#OGV O$w?5%#DL}Bz|D~)HE,W9_H4g5|k8pE51VS=~q2tE+ZPjMUJW8k5dLS)Pvf%Y~,?9eQL As a student affairs professional, you probably love crafting icebreakers, running team-building activities, and facilitating goal-setting sessions with students. Whether you're planning an overnight retreat, a day trip, or a campout, check out these 11 great youth retreat ideas to get inspired. They might jump at the chance to brainstorm solutions to your latest challenge. Divide students into small groups and have them rotate between each station together, performing some kind of task like sorting their observations into categories. When a teenager feels comfortable in a situation . Setting goals for yourself, especially as a teenager, can be a challenging and intimidating task. You can use an open space like a local park. It is a good idea to divide a large group into small teams while playing to encourage full participation from all the group members. Options - Outdoor Bball, Gaga, Meeting Room Game or movie, Gym (10-11) Although its not the most exciting topic, knowing how to cost out a project and keep track of expenses using a spreadsheet are very desirable skills for employers. Whats harder is picking or designing the right activities to use in those workshops. Or challenge your students to count to 20 as a group with one person saying each numberbut no one is assigned a number, and if two people talk at the same time, everyone starts again at one. Here are 21 examples of fun team-building activities for students you can use in the classroom that wont make everyone cringe. This activity can help. About the author: Justin Terlisner (he/him) is a student affairs professional who focuses on helping students thrive through dynamic leadership education and inclusive supervision practices. Be sure to bring speakers so you can blast out the best clips, and print out transcripts for anyone with hearing impairments. Dont forget to debrief your own experience as the retreat planner. Next, divide the group into smaller teams and provide all the necessary gear for the sport you choose. Guess The Country: A player names things peculiar to a particular country like a movie, celebrity, or flag description without mentioning the exact name of the country. For menu inspiration, check out this list of conference food ideas. Remember. 27 Fun Activities for College Students 1. Its easy to forget to build breaks into the schedule. Assign students a case study or reading to discuss with a partner, then have them share their thoughts with the larger group. Wrap up this process by using dot voting to identify which ideas the group wants to pursue the most. Bible Jeopardy: Save Image: Shutterstock You Will Need: A piece of paper to write the clues A bowl Perhaps you can use a recent picture of your team, a memorable selfie from a student event, or a talented student photographers amazing campus snapshot. If a tribe is united only by agreement, as soon as times change, agreement has to be reestablished., Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie The Danger of a Single Story, Show a people asone thing, as only one thing, over and over again and thatis what they become. Though lacking visual components, podcasts can be just as inspirational, humorous, and informative as TED talks. 6 community-building activities 1. In a prioritization matrix, the horizontal axis represents urgency while the vertical axis represents importance. Find purpose throughout your life and create meaning through self-reflection and intentional discussions. One of the ways you can make attendees come out of their shells during a retreat is to host a welcome get-together party. Split your students into teams and give them a time limit to find as many items as possible on a list youve provided. 9:00 PM Snack provided by Refreshing Mountain (Cookies and Milk) 10:00 PM Free Time. (Preserve), What is it we dont have and dont want? One way to immerse students in the organizations mission, vision, and values is to create a culture deck. Sara Keinath, Youth Leadership Educator at Michigan State University explains the value of team-building activities for students: Guiding group members through intentional games can help them improve their communication skills with each other, which will transfer to their work or club projects later. 6:00 PM SESSION 3 - Bring Bible/Notebook (Meeting Room) Human Tic Tac Toe, Message, and Small Group Breakout. Pick one enthusiastic team member to create the questions and get their Alex Trebek on as trivia host. Ignite Retreat The culminating event is a scenic 5K and 10K race on Saturday morning! However, if your group is on a tight budget, then you can camp on a public or dispersed campground. The first order of business should be to create group agreements as a way to introduce the framework for the retreat. stream Not only does this test their problem-solving skills, but it also helps them differentiate between the needs of the individual and the needs of the collective. A retreat held right before a new quarter or semester will especially be perfect timing for OKR-ing. I, like many others, was forced to move a face-to-face college class to virtual synchronous meetings in Zoom. Theyd probably love to charm guests in an office tour. This might take some students out of their comfort zone but it encourages teamwork and collaboration. Walk of Faith. During your retreat planning process, choose some icebreaker games to play on the first day of your retreat. And it doesnt have to involve awkward activities such as a trust fall. Engaging, relevant team-building activities for students can energize your classroom and take learning to a new level. Hopping on for a tour near your campus will allow you to see your community in a new way, especially if you have a professional guide to teach you about the towns history and future. Spring 2023 Fall 2023 . 3. Finally, Jennifer says that silly rules that are supposed to make icebreakers fun can take the focus away from learning. Course type: Online (synchronous or asynchronous), blended, in-person. on the job while leading their organizations, but hosting skill-building workshops during the retreat ensures that they have a foundation to build off of. Students certainly learn a lot of career-readiness skills on the job while leading their organizations, but hosting skill-building workshops during the retreat ensures that they have a foundation to build off of. Download The Best Classroom Activities for College Courses to engage and motivate students. Hiking gives teams a chance to spend time together while promoting fitness. Students will gain insight on skills such as facilitation and debriefing and apply them in their retreats. Some tips for organizing a group hike include: Hiking is a great outdoor activity that connects you to your natural environment. (Eliminate), Goals can be broken down even further using a. . During the period when you are planning for a retreat, find a place that intrigues the group. But a group retreat can be the perfect excuse to try out this fad. Another idea is to host a coffeehouse: Have one or two students with barista experience (there are bound to be some, since it is a popular college job) serve free drinks. If participants dont learn something about each other such as names, hobbies, and other interesting facts then theyll miss the critical self-disclosure component of a good icebreaker. After dividing students into teams, provide them with a list of items for survival. It is a great idea to familiarize yourself with the road and get a map. Try this free knock-off. Personality assessments such as the MBTI, the High 5 Test, DISC, and Enneagram that can help students identify their leadership styles are a good place to start. Connect with us on Twitter @themoderncampus and @JustinTerlisner. If no one in your group is well-versed in fishing, then you can hire a local expert angler to guide your group. endobj Staff can either pick their own favorite episode to spotlight or you can issue assignments. Have students draw a picture that represents why they enrolled in your course. It is essential to decide and be familiar with the destination. Course type: Online (synchronous or asynchronous), in-person. Some fun themes include: Just every other retreat activity, you should plan properly for the event. This is another one with a simple, yet valuable, benefit: Fun. Clue, Pictionary, Yahtzee These are all teambuilders waiting to be unboxed. Get articles with higher ed trends, teaching tips and expert advice delivered straight to your inbox. Whether you want to go old-school and rock out the leather jackets for a "Grease day" or set a more Cosplay-styled theme, an on-campus costume day can be a really fun way to switch up the normal weekly routine.