Hole Tarp & Outside, NOT inside-2 activitites
Hole Tarp (tought by Jim Cain)  

Objective Make the ball/s travel around the holes without falling through a hole or off the tarp  

Set Up / Preparation 12 participants surround the tarp spacing themselves out evenly holding on to the tarp with both hands, creating a table top effect. The group with is initially supplied with one tennis ball.

Rules

1. If the ball falls off the tarp or through a hole, the game starts over.
2. Participants must hold onto the tarp with both hands throughout the activity.
3. The tarp must be stretched out so that it remains flat (like a table top).
4. The tarp must be held so that it remains at its maximum size (the tarp may not be “gathered up” around the edges to be made smaller).
5. The group must hold the tarp in the air (i.e. not laid on the ground or on any other surface).
6. If the ball starts to roll off the tarp, participants can use their body like a “bumper” to keep the ball on the tarp (hands may not let go of tarp though).
7. Tarp holes may not be blocked. Should a ball fall through a hole, it may not be knocked back through the hole (example: kicking ball with foot back through the hole).
8. The tarp may not be altered
   

Debriefing

1. This activity lends itself well to discussions around achieving success despite the obstacles in our lives. Life long success is rarely achieved through chance – instead, the successful make a plan, continually evaluate, then change the plan as needed. When everyone on the team is committed to the plan success is much more likely.
2. What strategies did you apply here to experience success and are any of these strategies applicable to real life situations?
3. How is this activity just like real life? How is it unlike real life? 

 Variations

1. Provide the group with a time limitation (example: only 10 minutes to complete this activity).
2. Require the group to do the basic activity without verbal communication.
3. To make this easier, cover some of the holes with paper and tape. As the group improves, uncover more holes.
4. Require the group to circle the holes in a specific order.
5. Start the group off with only one ball then have them graduate to completing the same task with 2 then 3 balls simultaneously.
6. Try using different size and types of balls (example: baseball, marble, Nerf ball). The balls will react differently. It’s especially interesting when the group must manage different types of balls simultaneously. The different balls could represent different types of challenges.
7. Here is a more involved version: Have the group identify the top 5 things that hold them back in some way then have them write these top 5 on 5 removable stickers (measuring approximately 2” x 3”). Now have the group write their first names on a tennis ball. Then supply the group with the Hole Tarp and ask them to apply the stickers next to the holes. Now ask the group to complete the basic challenge (described above). To debrief this exercise, ask the group to find strategies that promoted success on the tarp (i.e. how to avoid the top 5 pitfalls) and identify which of these strategies can be translated to avoiding the same pitfalls in real life.   

Objective To retrieve the “objective” index cards of each participant without anyone touching the inner circle or falling inside of it.

Set Up/ Preparation Each participant writes their main objective for the conference, or something they really need in their live now that they are available to share with others. Each participant is tied around a sling which is tied to the main rope. On the ground a rope represents the area of “defeat” and must not be touched or stepped inside.

Rules The facilitator is allowed to move the index cards during the activity (all is changing at all times..) All index cards that have been retrieved must be placed back if any participant steps on the inner rope or falls inside it.

Debriefing Of many sorts, styles and subjects   Duration (both together): 90 minutes Max Participants: 12 per each activity