Partners

August 3, 2012

Partners

Most of our campers are incredibly independent and DO NOT like to work together or be part of a team, or be dependent on others to ensure their success. So, we make them :) One of our most frequently utilized games, is with a scenario like this one, where the kids start out doing the task on their own but then we add turns where it is necessary to have a friend go with you in order to accomplish the task. After that, we add in two sets of partners working together, and then 6 kids together and then 8, and then the whole camp together. The kids get so into the game and taking their turn, and accomplishing the task, getting across to the other side without touching the rope, that they are usually OK with holding their partners hand and working together as a team. Everyone cheers for the teams and the look of triumph on their faces is great. After practicing these strategies throughout the week in different game scenarios, the campers don't even balk at the request to do a task with a partner. This is a skill, feeling comfortable working together with a friend or sibling, that we hope translates to other aspects of their life. The more they practice this, and find that it is not too bad, the more comfortable they are going to be and pretty soon they see working together as an asset vs. a burden.