Top 5 Teambuilding Activities To Do Before UDA Camp

The time is here… UDA Camp 2018! We are so excited for your team’s to experience camp this summer! There is no doubt that your team will have the absolute best time at camp, however, your time at camp can be even better if your team participates in team building activities before coming to camp. At UDA camp, your team will learn routines, take technique classes, and participate in multiple activities, all of which will be more successful and enjoyable if a strong relationship within your team is already established. By participating in team building games prior to coming to camp, your team will already have developed communication, trust, leadership, motivation, and other key characteristics that are vital to having a unified team. All of these traits will only enhance your time at UDA camp this summer!

Here are five fun and easy team building activities to try before your UDA camp experience!:

Bridge Build

Start by dividing your team into two different teams. Each team should be provided with materials to build half a bridge each. The materials to build the bridge could include dry noodles/marshmallows, straws/duct tape, or popsicle sticks/glue. Once two teams are created and provided with the bridge building materials, each team will strive to design half of a bridge that is similar or identical in design to the other team’s section of the bridge. However, while constructing their half of the bridge, the teams must be separated so they cannot look at what the other group is building. The only way the two teams can communicate is through verbal communication. After an allotted time period, the goal is for the two team’s bridges to fit together perfectly!

Bedsheet Flip

For this activity, the only required material is a bed sheet big enough for 8-10 people to stand on. To start, divide your team into groups of 8-10 people and provide each team with a bedsheet. Have all team members stand on top of the bedsheet on a flat surface. When given the cue to begin, the teams will race to see who can flip the bed sheet over to the other side without having anyone step off of the sheet in the process. Completing this activity requires cooperation, trust, and communication!

The Minefield

Begin by sectioning off an area with tape and randomly filling that area with balls. These balls symbolize mines. One member of the team will be blindfolded and verbally guided through the minefield by his/her teammates. The goal is to have the blindfolded person make it through the minefield without stepping on any balls. Depending on the size of whole team, individual teams can be created to complete this activity as well. In order to complete this activity effectively, individuals must trust their teammates and communicate appropriately.

Two Truths and a Lie

To start, have your team sit in a circle facing inward. Have each person come up with three facts about themselves, two being true statements and one being a believable lie. Take turns going around the circle and have each person share their facts. After someone shares, everyone will try to guess that person’s lie. This activity is a super fun way to have the team learn more about each other and allows introverts to open up in a group setting!

Shape Shifting

The team starts by standing in a circle around a long piece of string that is tied end to end. Begin by asking the team to create shapes with the string such as a square, rectangle, star, heart, or any other shape. Once successfully completed, increase the difficulty by having all the teammates close their eyes, and then proceed to repeat the exercise. Another way to increase the difficulty of this task is to have the team make the shapes without speaking at all. This activity tests the level of leadership, trust, and communication within a team.

These are only five of the endless team building activities that your team can participate in before UDA camp! Not only are these activities great at building communication, trust, and leadership skills, but they are fun to complete as well. Too say the least, participating in team building activities before your team’s arrival to camp will ensure that your UDA camp experience is the best it has ever been! All of UDA staff cannot wait to see you and your team at camp!

 

By Harley Southmayd