So far we have given you some icebreakers, touch barrier breakers, and an initiative. This next activity is a standard for the challenge course industry. Chances are that if you have ever facilitated, dare I say, been a part of a challenge course day, you have probably heard of this activity. I will give you the outline, and then next week I will give you a variation that I learned at the University of Michigan Challenge Program. For those who have not guessed:
TOSS-A-NAME
Equipment: Assemble a series of soft throwables (Nerf or plastic balls, rubber chicken, whale, dog, cat, heart, brain, etc. They must be soft. If you toss a hard object to someone and that person is not looking, it could hurt).
How you do it:
Put them in a bag. Ask the group to assemble in a circle. Say, “You only have to remember one name to get this game started”. Taking one item and, while holding it, announce, “My name is Josh”……. While passing it to the person next to you, ask them to say, “Thank you, Josh”…….. That person then takes the throwable and, while passing it to the next person, says, “My name is Joe”….. This goes on until the entire circle has been engaged. From that point, using the same name and thank you scenario, throw the object across the circle to a person on the other side. Gradually introduce new items. The rubber chicken always gets a good laugh. Asking for names is encouraged. Laughter is a natural consequence. Somewhere along the line, ask if someone can name everyone.
Variation: “Everyone move to a new place, and we’ll play the game some more.”
Safety: We must reiterate, tossing a hard object can result in bruises or worse. Since there are a great deal of objects flying about, and a resultant confusion, the items must be soft enough to sustain a hit on the temple or the eye. Do not use tennis balls or plastic toys. Don’t allow participants to “wing” (throw hard) the objects, either. There is a modicum of trust to this activity. After all, we are dealing with each other’s precious names!
