Title of Activity: Deliver The Message

Number of Teams & Group Size: Minimum 4 people per group Maximum 8 people per group At least 2 teams

Logistics Needed: None

Time Allocated: 15 - 30 minutes

Goal: Deliver the message to your own team while avoiding the obstacles

Preparation & Set-Up: Prepare a list of at least 3 or more messages for participants to deliver The activity is best done indoors, using a room of average size for your playing field. If done outdoors, you will need to mark out a boundary.

Directions for Conducting the Activity: 1. Gather all teams at one end of the playing field. 2. Brief participants on the Specific Rules. Then appoint 1 Sender, and 2 Receivers. 3. Gather the Senders at the opposite end of the playing field, preferably out of sight or sound of the other participants. 4. Have the Receivers stay at their assigned area, and instruct them to stay still. 5. Allow the Blockers 1 - 2 minutes to plan and set up obstacles in the middle of the playing field. 6. At the same time, brief the Senders on the message. Give all the Senders the same message, and repeat it at least 3 times. Then get each Sender to repeat the message back to you.

7. Begin the activity. Once all Senders have delivered their message, or have been permanently stopped by the Blockers, ask each groups Receivers to share the message they heard. 8. Have participants swap roles within the group, and conduct the activity again.

Specific Rules: 1. Facilitator to appoint 1 Sender, and 2 Receivers from each group. The remaining group members are Blockers. 2. Receivers are to stay at the end of the playing field, and cannot move around. They are to receive the message from their own teams Sender. 3. Blockers are to move around the playing field, using obstacles and sound to distract and prevent Senders from delivering their message. They can only block their own teams Sender. 4. Senders are to cross the playing field while avoiding the Blockers and their obstacles, and deliver their assigned message to the Receivers. They can only deliver the message to their own teams Receiver. 5. Senders can only whisper the message to 1 Receiver at a time. They cannot use any other form of written or technological communication, and they cannot shout or speak aloud the message.

Variations: None

Learning Points: Communication - Communication Methods, Communication Breakdown Strategy Active Listening Checking And Ensuring / Clarifying Perseverance Patience Coordination Memorizing

Facilitator Notes: Ensure the safety of participants while they are going through, around, or over obstacles in the playing field. Check that Senders are whispering the message to the Receivers.

For best results, conduct sufficient rounds till everyone in each group has had a chance to be a Sender, and a Receiver. Choose messages that are not phrases or sayings, and make them as difficult to recall as possible. Sample Messages: o Squirrels like to eat walnuts. o Vast ocean reflecting multiple colours. o The computer started up while the table collapsed. o The baker put orange peels in his pocket while dancing the waltz. o I like to pat my head and lick my lips while skipping through puddles. o Friendship is more important than money and success consists of going from failure to failure with enthusiasm. o Mix 1 ounce Baileys Irish Cream with 4 ounces strong coffee, add 1 teaspoon each of sugar and cinnamon, then top with whipped cream.