MIneField

How Do You Play the Mine Field Teambuilding Activity?
Setup
Find a good outdoor field or large indoor space.  Be sure there are no dangerous items or hazards nearby.  Set up the “minefield” by placing “gems” (the items from your advisory bag) in many places all over the space.
Add things you don't want them to pick up too, "mines," (items you find around your room).
 

Once the minefield is set up, divide players into pairs.  Create pairs carefully.  In each pair, one person will be blindfolded and will be not allowed to see or talk.  The other person is allowed to see and talk, but is not allowed to touch the other person or enter the minefield.  Have each pair decide which role they want to play and distribute blindfolds.

Playing the Mine Field Game
As you lead the activity, try to inspire the players and emphasize the importance of trust and safety.

 ~Promote a serious environment.~

The goal is for each blindfolded person to get from one side of the field to the other.  He or she must safely avoid touching the “mines,” by carefully listening to the verbal guidance of their partners. They need to pick up all the "gems" by the time they get across the field.

You can set up rules like, If you touch a mine you start over or if you miss a gem you have to send your partner to go get, etc.

Minefield

Trust and Communication Activity

Materials

You will need objects to scatter about the playing space. balled up paper or tape works great. Be careful of objects students could run into and get hurt. The courtyard would be a good place to take your class. You will also need to gather some blind folds. We have them in the PE office.

Task- Check out this Youtube Video to help give you an idea of the set up

Option 1 -Objects are scattered in an indoor or outdoor space. In pairs, one person verbally guides their partner, whose eyes are closed, or blindfolded, through the “mine field” to the opposite side.

Option 2- change the goal of crossing the minefield to entering the minefield to retrieve mines and bring them out. This is a way you can determine a “winning” team if you would like a more competitive activity to debrief.

Be wary of blindfolded people bumping into one another. Perhaps allow a short time for partners to plan their attack. Allow groups to take multiple turns until they are satisfied with their success.

Extensions to Simplify

Eliminate some objects or shorten the playing area  to cross. Have partner groups take turns so there is less chaotic noise while groups are trying to pass through. You may also choose to allow partners that are verbally instructing their partners through the” mine field” to move with them.

Extensions to Challenge

Place more objects to pass by or lengthen the playing area. Keep the speaking partner on one side with others that are instructing their partners.

Debriefing

·         How successful where you and your partner?

·         Did you trust your partner? How much?

·         What did your partner do to give you confidence in this activity?

·         What communication strategies worked best in this activity?

If you did not use blindfolds you can have a discussion on honesty of not peaking :)

This activity is possible to be expanded upon. You could break into an entire conversation used to heighten awareness about the effect of land mines on the lives of people in countries such as Afghanistan and Nicaragua. It is up to your comfort level! Here is a link to help http://www.unicef.org/graca/mines.htm

Resource

www.wilderom.com