Goals of the exercise: To strengthen the capacity for cooperation and communication
Age of the participants: 10+
Number of participants: 10-30
Duration of the exercise: 30 minutes
Materials: Rope (possibly with small bells), can be played both inside and outside

Step by step

1. A rope is stretched at a height so that the participants can’t just climb over it, but still are able to reach the other side without any tools (ladder, chair, etc.).
2. The side where the participants start shouldn’t allow them to jump easily over the rope (for example, put the rope close to a wall so that they won’t be able to jump).
3. Participants are given the task to transport all group members to the other side of the rope in a limited time (3 to 5 minutes) without touching it (if they touch it, the bells that are attached to the cord ring).
4. If the line is touched, all participants have to go back to the start and try again. The time keeps running.

Notes

From our experience, boys first try to solve the problem on their own. However, since the task is only completed when all participants are on the other side, the group usually fails during their first attempt. Only when the group (usually with the support of the facilitator) determines at what point each of the participants is safely handed over and received on the other side, the task can be solved. The exercise becomes more exciting when it is connected to a story and combined with other exercises.

Important
Jumps over the line should be prevented (risk of injury). You can adapt the duration according to the situation.

Debriefing

• What is this exercise about?
• What it difficult? If yes, why?
• Did you have confidence in the others?
• What does the exercise have to do with social skills?

Authorship/adaptation or source: author unknown, adapted by Roter Baum
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