[ instigate change ]

I hope that you have had a chance to try "As if". If you haven't...seriously - the next time you have a group of ANY age and of ANY size - try it. Your group will be laughing and interacting within seconds. Always have a couple of really fun interactions before you do the more difficult ones that take a little more thought or place the participants in conflict. That's when it gets interesting. Before I get into that too much I'll give you some easy Q & A debrief material: Debriefing topics:   What did you notice? Who was uncomfortable with some of the early "as if's"?  What about the later introductions?  How were your interactions different with each scenario? What did you notice about non-verbal body language with the different roles?  How did your attitude change during the exercise? Who was uncomfortable with some of the early 'as ifs'?  What about the later introductions? Would you agree that ev...

Hello!! This activity is typically labelled as an Ice-breaker - and it might be - but it's an Ice-breaker that packs a punch. Drama teachers...pay attention because this is also a super great warm activity for improv games. Let's get right into it: Activity: "As If"   Type of Initiative:     Icebreaker Source: Related to us by Chris Cavert who learned it from "Steve the Aussie" at the 2006 National Challenge Course Practitioner Symposium Props Needed:   None Group Size:    2-100 Directions:   Divide your group into pairs.  Begin this activity by letting participants know that you will give them a relationship role to play for the upcoming interaction.  Have the pairs stand about 15 feet apart from one another.  Have them determine which partner will be the 'greeter' and which partner will play out the 'role'.  Each interaction is approximately 20-30 seconds in duration. Then announce the first interaction.  As...

No, I wasn't studdering. It's just funny to title a debrief post on a debrief tool. As I mentioned earlier this week, this is one of my favourite debrief tools. There's so many applications. Probably one of the best characteristics of this tool is its relevance to our lives. As we age and grow - we're in a constant state of change. That change may be noticeable on the outside or maybe only on the inside. The point is - something is always happening to us. Which makes this tool really great to introduce at the beginning of a program so that you can refer back to it as the participants work through tasks and experiences. It helps the participants to begin making 'processing' a habit. They don't have to spend tons of time analyzing their thoughts and feelings...they can just look at how they're reacting through the experience and then - if they choose - they can dig into the why after that. Beyond the straight up "Change" uses of this tool - ...

Hello! Long time, no write. This last month has been a little hectic for me - as I'm sure most of yours have been. Spring tends to be that way. Upon returning from Jamaica I was hoping to be able to just pick up where I left off but I don't think, now that I look back at the last month, that was entirely possible. Along with massive changes at the camp that I work at and it being the month where everything ramps up (summer is, after all, coming), a completely unexpected incidents, and a significant death in my family - I decided I just needed to step away from [ Instigate Change ]. But I'm back with great hopes and plans to be consistent. That's how it all has to start, right? Set realistic goals. Don't win the war - just win the first battle that you have. Worry about the rest after that battle is won . That's what my university rugby coach drilled into our heads. Win the moment - don't try and win the whole game. This last month - I've been remindi...