Objective: Team work, problem solving through communication and to learn how perceptions can affect teams. Props: Cushions or something else that participant can use as rock to cross the lava, rope or tape to mark the starting and ending lines (prepare these lines before starting the activity and before dividing groups). [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9tvF3_ghM0[/embed] Step by step instructions
  1. Divide the group into small groups (depends on how many participants are), and give each group the same number of cushions if the number of participants in groups are the same.
Example: If we have 3 groups with 8 people in each group, give them cushions half of the number of participants plus one (for 8 people means 5 cushions). If one of the groups have only 7 participants, give them one less.
  1. Line the groups up behind the line of tape or rope. Explain that their task is to get from the starting line to the ending line without touching the ground but only touching cushions (distance between starting line and ending line can be from 8 – 16 meters, depends on how big groups are and the age. For groups with 8 participants it is fair enough to be 10 meters).
  2. They will have 2 minutes to discuss a strategy.
  3. Time for crossing the lava depends on how big are the groups.
Example: if groups are with 8 participants, 7 minutes is enough for them to cross the lava.
  1. They can only use the cushions to stand on, and there can only be one person on a cushion at a time.
  2. If anyone touches the lava or are two persons in a cushions, the whole team must go back to the starting line.
  3. Let the groups try, but they will soon realize that they cannot make it across without help from the other groups (it is good if they can do it as a group alone). When they ask if they can combine, say something like “I never said you couldn’t”. Once they combine, they should be able to accomplish the task.
Debrief
  1. Are there any situations you’ve experienced or can think of where there was a similar situation? (e. when people could accomplish more by working together).
  2. What do you think prevents people from working together?