Examples of Initiatives

Spider Web

Group Initiatives –(a few of many examples) are based on or inspired by Project Adventure models. Though each initiative has its own individual benefits and challenges, all emphasize collaboration and teamwork in “an atmosphere that is fun, supportive, and challenging”. In establishing this atmosphere, Wildrivers’ instructors follow the fundamental Project Adventure tenet of “challenge by choice”: a “reasonable willingness to try is the criterion for success.” Each initiative works through group support that increases individual self-confidence.

Spider’s web – A large “web” is set up between 2 trees, using cord or rope, with openings large enough for students to pass through. The goal is for each student to get from one side of the web to the other, without touching the rope. Once an opening is used, it cannot be used again. The challenge is increased with higher openings that require the group to lift fellow students and to pass them through from one side to other. To do this, students “waiting to receive” need to be on the other side. Benefits & Challenge: Collaboration and communication, patience, planning and appropriate physical support. (12 to 20 participants)

The Maze – Lightweight rope is tightly strung between closely spaced trees, to make a baffling maze for blindfolded students. They must keep two hands on the rope at all times, except for reaching around trees to grab the rope on the other side. Finding the exit is never easy. Once they are out of the maze, the blindfold is removed, but they’re not allowed to talk. Benefits & Challenge: Trust (in self & group), anxiety, group communication, wonder, humor. (20-30 participants)

Nitro Crossing

Nitro Crossing – A large rope hangs over the center of an area of “poisonous chemicals” marked off by rope. Students must figure out how to reach the hanging rope without stepping in the water, using only things on their person. One at a time they assist each other in swinging across the water to the other side. As they swing across they must pick up a bucket of miracle elixir on the ground in the middle of the chemicals, half way across, and carry it to the other side, without spilling any of the contents. Landing in the chemicals or spilling elixir from the bucket sends the whole group back to the starting side. Benefits & Challenge: Collaboration on planning and problem solving, teamwork, communication, and physical support for the “swinging”. (12 to 20 participants)

Swamped Canoe Race: teams of 6-8 (depending on size of students and canoe). The race and clock begin with an empty canoe. Team gets in canoe, and then fills it with water, up to 4-inch freeboard. or fills it with water first, and then gets in. Hands are used for paddling. Race out to buoy, and return to starting line. Initial loading and the turn at buoy are largest challenges. Two or more canoes can race on parallel courses, or challenge can be increased with 2-3 slalom courses, and a canoe on each course. Benefits & Challenge: group planning, group communication, problem solving (how to keep from turning over), and paddling teamwork. (Participants: multiples of team sizes.)

Canoe/ Raft Building Race: Materials: 2 canoes, rope, paddles, etc. Rules: teams of eight are given 6 minutes to develop a construction plan that will connect two canoes into a functional catamaran craft. Advance planning is verbal, without contact with canoes or materials. At the end of the 6-minute planning period, the clock begins to tick, and building begins in silence, with no verbal communication allowed. Once craft is launched, verbal communication is allowed. The course can be either out to a buoy and back, or a slalom course to the buoy and back. Benefits & Challenge: problem solving, collaboration on a plan and its execution, non-verbal communication, paddling teamwork. (Participants: multiples of team sizes.)

Up For Trust