Game Description
Use this group building game to build community, teamwork, and trust within the group.
Game Materials
- a board at least 6 inches wide and of a length of three feet that is strong enough to be used for a platform on which a student may stand.
- two bricks, cinder blocks, or solid wooded blocks that the board can be placed upon so that someone can place there hands beneath the board to raise it.
- Blindfold
Game Play
- Place the board on a couple of bricks or something that raises up the ends so that two leaders can place their hands beneath the board and raise it.
- Blindfold a volunteer and have them step on the platform.
- A third leader must stand in front of the volunteer so that the volunteer can place their hands on the shoulders of this leader to keep their balance.
- Tell the volunteer that you will raise them up no higher than waist level and then they will be asked to jump from the platform using the leader as a spotter to maintain their balance. (In actuality, the board only leaves the ground a few inches.)
- The leader in front of the volunteer slowly squats making the volunteer believe they are being raised whereas in actuality they haven’t.
- Tell the volunteer to jump, assuring them that they will not be hurt. They will be jumping only a few inches but expect to fall a few feet.
- The feeling is eerie, and they are quite surprised. They will, of course, be falling into the waiting arms of the group.
Debrief
- What were you feeling before you jumped?
- What were your fears?
- How much did you trust the leaders / the group to protect you from harm?
- How is this activity like trusting God?
- Do you feel you can trust our group or not?
- What are some ways we can learn to trust each other?
- What responsibilities do we have to each other for support and encouragement?
Closing Application
Be someone others can trust and go to for encouragement and support.
Icebreakers Ahead: Take It To the Next Level
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