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One of my favorite things about leading UniCamp retreats was the opportunity to execute team-building activities that would spark a meaningful discussion and debrief afterward.

It was all about the debrief. The learning outcome. The hands-on experience that translated to a lesson.

I loved facilitating the debrief while the participants took control of the discussion. I was just there to help poke and prod and prompt and re-direct if we got off track.

Maybe that’s why I became a teacher. I liked the idea of being a facilitator, allowing people to come to their own a-ha! moments.

I had a favorite team-building activity during camp. One that I used every single year that I led a retreat. And one that I continue to use with my students during the first two weeks of school.

My Favorite Team Building Activity 

This activity is most successful when it’s done with a larger group of people. Anywhere between 15-30 folks.

We would blindfold each participant and carefully lead them out into the woods to a “rope maze.”

The “rope maze” was set up prior to the beginning of the activity and was out of sight so the participants did not know what to expect. In reality, the “maze” was just an enclosed circle created by a rope – tied around several trees.

But, again, the participants did not know that. They were informed that it was a maze and that they had to find their way out.

Once their hands were on the rope, they were given instructions.

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You are in an enclosed circle and the objective of this activity is to find your way out. There are a few rules so please listen carefully. 

1. You must keep one hand on the rope at all times.

2. You may not go over the rope or under the rope.

3. You must remain completely silent.

4. If you come across a knot in the rope, please do not untie it.

Remember, there is a way out. Please remain absolutely quiet, and raise your hand if you need help. 

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Participants would slowly start searching for their way out. Following the person in front of them. Going in circles. Again. And again. And again. Some people would think they found their way out only to realize they were hugging a tree and, still, enclosed in the circle.

After about five minutes, I’d repeat the instructions from above.

Scroll back up.

Re-read the instructions.

Have you figured it out? Do you know the way out?

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

By raising your hand.

Yes. That’s all you have to do.

Raise.

Your.

Hand.

Participants are so focused on the four rules that they completely disregard the final bit where I say, “Raise your hand if you need help.” Depending on how much time you have, you can have your participants struggling for hours. (The longest I’ve had this activity run for is about 2.5 hours).

I will typically repeat the instructions multiple times but, if we’re trying to wrap up the activity, I will over-emphasize the, “…AND RAISE YOUR HAND IF YOU NEED HELP” part. (Still, don’t be surprised if some people don’t pick up on it. So many people disregard the offer of help).

The Debrief

This is one powerful debrief. Whether it’s in a camp setting or a workplace or in the classroom, it’s something that everyone can relate to. We think asking for help is a sign of weakness. We think that being self-reliant is what makes us successful. But it’s not true.

When you acknowledge that you can’t do something alone, it shows both humility and strength. You are strong enough to admit you don’t have all the answers. And that doesn’t make you weak. It makes you human.

My Favorite Team Building Activity: On Asking for Help Share on X

Questions of the Day:

• Is it easy for you to ask for help?
  
• What is one of your favorite team building activities?