Hands in the Middle

This is a daily, if not multiple times a day, tradition we embrace in all our Learning on the Log programs. Just like sports teams, Learning on the Log attempts to gain a "team" feeling within all of our groups. This exercise requires everyone (kids and adults) to put their hand in the middle of the circle and on the count of 3, they cheer for a common goal (usually the next transition or activity). It is challenging for many reasons. You have to be in very close proximity with other people and for many of our campers, they initially find this incredibly uncomfortable and if not supported by a staff, they would just walk away or refuse to participate. You have to sustain focus on a common goal for longer than some of our campers find comfortable. You have to sequence the directions, hear the word to use, listen to the countdown, and then lift your hand in sync with the group, as well as say the cheer at the right time. All of these steps are difficult for many of our campers to track. But, because we do this on a very consistent basis, the kids start looking forward to joining in, they slowly become less and less uncomfortable with different aspects of it and soon are enduring closeness like never before. They are able to focus for longer and longer without help, and they are all incredibly proud when the sequencing goes right and they all cheer at the same time. This is an incredibly important practice, because: it introduces consistency, it encourages team work, the campers feel like they can be successful in uncomfortable situations, everyone cheers together for a common goal, and overall the kids leave the group energized, organized, and excited for the upcoming activity.