Games that Teach is a practical workshop for teachers, youth workers, summer scheme leaders, outdoor pursuits instructors, community leaders and anyone else interested in the positive development of People.

What’s the Games that Teach Workshop all about?

You will participate in a range of activities and games that will reinforce:

• Problem solving
• Communication Skills
• Community Awareness
• Conflict Resolution
• Critical Thinking
• Responsibility
• Respect

What will I learn on the Games that Teach Workshop?

• How to modify games and activities so suit desired learning outcomes
• Linking games and activities through a progressive development process
• Games without resources
• Open space games versus closed space games

Participants will also receive:

• A resource pack which includes briefs for the games, activity plans and another 20 games
• Certificate of completion

Who will be leading the Games that Teach Workshop?

With over 15 years experience Stephen Brown has developed and delivered adventure based personal and social development courses with marginalised young people and community groups, team building events for small businesses and large businesses alike, activity days for families, groups of friends, schools and youth organisations.

For more details on Stephen and his work:

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/TeamBuildingAdventure
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/AdventureTeam
• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/theadventureteam
• Flickr: www.flickr.com/theadventureteam

When is the Games that Teach Workshop?

There are two Games for Fun Workshops in February:

• Course 1 – Wednesday 22nd and Wednesday 29th February 2012, 6.00pm – 9.00pm
• Course 2 – Saturday 25th February 2012, 10.00am – 4.00pm

How much does the Games that Teach Workshop cost:

£125 per person and bring a friend or colleague for £100

Community Groups, Schools and Voluntary Organisations are entitled to a 50% discount

All prices are subject to VAT and the total amount is payable at the time of booking

How do I book my place on the Games that Teach Workshop?

Just give us a call on 0845 5213145 or email info@theadventureteam.co.uk

You can also book Stephen to deliver this workshop for your organisation – just ask!

Other workshops include:

• Games for Developing Teams
• Chaos – The 30 minute energiser
• Reviewing skills for beginners
• Reviewing skills for business
• Plan it, do it, review it – refining the reviewing process

Where is the Games that Teach Workshop?

The Adventure Team, CEAL, 8 Meadowbank Road, Carrickfergus, BT38 8YF

What people say:

"Five star!! really enjoyed the activities bringing out our competitive nature and also that of team work and strategy planning! Brilliant facilitators and great way with the guys who deliver the training. Very well done i know its not the last you will see of me! You helped me build relationships within the NICE group and I know those relationships are now based on our level of trust and co-operation.. keep up the great work! Thanks to you all.”

"From the initial set up right through to the delivery Stephen and his Adventure Team provided a first class service. Stephen, via his calm, self assured and professional style of delivery created an atmosphere that enabled our groups to feel safe and challenged. All the activities provided were delivered in a professional, fun and creative manner. The group, whether participating in an icebreaker or games session right through to the more challenging outdoor activities were at all times in very safe and knowledgeable hands. Stephen and his team ensure that the young people are supported to feel safe both emotionally and physically.”

We all know what it is like when things go wrong. When we are up against it and everything we are doing seems to be hitting the wall. We feel stressed. We worry. We can’t sleep? Sometimes we can’t even eat!

So why is it, that when we take groups Raft Building and their Rafts sink they are in no way put off by the experience? Why do they not get caught up in the feeling of failure? What makes them continue with the activity? In fact, why do they even try and swim their Rafts across the lake instead of turning back?

The answer may be simple – is it because they are enjoying what they are doing!

They have already connected with each other through the team building games and challenges we have led them through. They have learned that not being able to do something is NOT failure. They have learned that working together is fun and should be enjoyed even when the best plans just aren’t working out.

It really is amazing how a safe environment, free from judgement, can help people enjoy new experiences. By providing activities that are pitched at the right level we help people challenge themselves physically, practically and mentally.

But there is more to it than the careful selection of activities! It’s all about developing trust and not just between us and the group members. Trust among the group members is crucial. They must know that they can rely on each other and that they are all in the same boat (pardon the pun).

We are very lucky!  We have the ability to provide really fun activities that make a brilliant platform for learning new skills, facing new challenges and reaping great rewards – whatever your age and ability.  That’s why what we we offer is suitable for individuals, families, schools, youth clubs, sports teams and business teams.

We are also lucky in that we have a vast catalogue of activities and adventure sports; and with such a variety we can create the following opportunities for you:

• participants are exposed to and enjoy their new experiences
• participants are often uncharacteristically enthusiastic
• participants are inspired and motivated to learn more
• participants become more self-confident
• participants increase their self-esteem and self-awareness
• participants develop better thinking, decision-making and language skills
• participants learn to communicate better with their peers and adults
• participants feel more positive about learning
• participants become healthier, and their sense of well-being increases

There are, of course, many other benefits, some more obvious that others; and we can easily offer you solutions and ideas if you are interested in using activities to explore:

• Attitudes and values
• Confidence and resilience
• Communication and social skills
• Physical development and well-being
• Emotional and moral development
• Motivation and behaviour
• Risk, challenge and adventure

Using activities for Personal and Social Development is a key part of our mission and purpose.

If you would like more information on how we can help you achieve your goals then send us and email to info@theadventureteam.co.uk or call 028 8164 8390

The biggest challenge in any Team Building Session is the transfer of the skills and information learned back to the work place – the transfer of learning.

Wouldn’t it be great if you could turn your Team in to “learning sponges” who are eagerly awaiting their next Team Building session? Wouldn’t it be great if in return you received improved work performance as a result of the time, energy and money invested in Team Building? And wouldn’t it be great if you were told all of this is possible?

Well, it is!!

All that you need to do is select a suitable Team Building company by asking them for plenty of information on what they will provide and how they will provide it. They in turn of course will be asking you who they are providing to and what learning outcomes are expected. The other crucial element to all of this, which is usually overlooked, is the role that you expect the participants to take during their Team Training Session.

We have all heard the usual complaints when it comes to Team Building: “this is a waste of time”, “I don’t have time for this”, “my line manager never lets me do anything I learn anyway”, “I am already up to my eyes in work”; but these can all be overcome. How participants interact during their Team Building Session makes all the difference to the transfer of learning which in turn will spark improved performance in the workplace.

Here are some tips to aid the transfer of learning:

Make Team Building part of a consistent message

No matter what the type of training being undertaken, research shows that if it is to have a real impact on the transfer of learning, it must build on and reinforce the content learned in earlier sessions

Interconnected Team Building Sessions provide organisations with a great opportunity to reinforce basic shared skills, approaches and values.

Ask each participant’s manager to attend the Team Building Session and ask and the manager’s manager too!

Participants may be more willing to try out the ideas learned in training, especially if they see their manager trying out new skills as well.

Provide Team Building in “chunks”

Quite often, people learn more in Team Building Sessions that are provided in short manageable “chunks” with small amounts of content, based on a couple of well-defined objectives.

This allows the participants to practice the concepts in between the training sessions. Both the content of the training and the application of the concepts are reinforced at each subsequent session. Participants attend these sessions, perhaps a couple of hours per week or month.

Train people in skills and information that are immediately applicable “on the job”

“Use it or lose it” is a phrase that is widely used and is actually true. If participants are to retain their learning it is vital that practice is immediate and frequent after any type of training and this includes Team Building skills such as effective communication, collaboration, etc.

The Facilitator makes a difference

A good Facilitator will be able to “see” the individuals within the Team and work with them all at their own individual level. Participants appreciate Facilitators who have experienced and addressed the issues and situations highlighted in the training.

The Facilitator can set a positive, productive tone for a Team Building Session

How the facilitator opens the Team Building Session begins the process of managing participants’ expectations. Participants need to know what expectations they can have of the session.

The Facilitator makes a difference (again)

A good Facilitator will use a range of activities and information applications in order to appeal to participants’ varied learning styles. By keeping the training exciting, varied and stimulating the Facilitator will help the participant’s retain the content.

Increase participant investment in the session by engaging them in tasks requiring action

A good facilitator will ask them to share these ideas in a small group quite often in a structured and fun manner. Action planning in the form of reviewing is an ongoing activity during the Team Building Session.

During the Team Building Session, discuss how to address real life scenarios and the barriers participants believe they will encounter when they apply the training

A good facilitator will use the activities as “anchors” that will provide retained learning when coupled with a review. By thinking about the application of new skills in advance the participants are already preparing themselves for the transfer of learning.

Provide reference materials and job aids for review after the session

Include participant input into the materials, making participants more likely to use the documents. A good example is the development of a Customer Services Standard as an outcome of a Team Building Event focused on communication – how well do we communicate with our customers?

Assign or self-select a training partner

The role of the training partner needs to be well-defined and agreed upon by participants.

All of these tips can be taken individually if necessary however it is best to include as many of them as possible in your next Team Building Event if you would like the participants to take real learning back to the workplace.

If you would like any further information on any aspect of this article please feel free to email info@theadventureteam.co.uk or give us a call on 028 8164 8390. We would be delighted to share our thoughts and help you plan your next Team Building Event.