To encourage group cohesion on the first night of the BGDLF weekend, we use the team jingle and a few other icebreakers for the first team time activity. Given set criteria, teams must create a song to describe their group of leaders. Jingles are always fun, creative and great opportunity to participants and sponsors to get to know each other. There is also no better Saturday morning wake up call!!
Olympics-
The BGDLF Olympics consists of over 12 events where teams put their leadership training and team bonding into actions. With challenges to the mind and the body, teams compete for the lowest times and the highest number of points. A few of these events include: cornhole toss, blindfolded basketball throw, team jump rope, and Monkey on My Back. Teammates and sponsors to compete to have BGDLF Olympics bragging rights, but the true success of this event is the bond which forms between all the participants.
Pringle Drop-
The BGDLF Pringle Drop challenges a team's ability to be innovative and to make decisions as a group at the same time. Teams are given a set number of materials in a bag and must use only items given to them to create a structure which will protect their objects from being dropped on from above. Those teams that survive the drops see their structure go up against heavier and higher drop levels. We've seen it all in this event: from the most bizarre to the most conventional constructions, it is always a surprise which designs will endure the drop.
Ethics Case-
The Ethics Case event is a chance for group discussion and discovery. Serious and relevant issues are brought to the table through five different cases which motivate team members to voice their opinions about what is right & what is wrong. After sponsors ask questions to unearth key concerns surrounding the cases, the groups choose team leaders who present the topics they discussed and their solutions to their entire BGDLF group. With two teams per case, the Ethics case always brings up interesting conversations and challenge every mind involved.
Letters & Reflection- Teammates and sponsors are given the chance to sum up the weekend during this final team time. Sponsors lead discussions and ask questions regarding what participants learned about themselves and about leadership as a whole during the weekend. Teams reminisce about how they grew during BGDLF and write letters to their teammates and their sponsors to express their thoughts about the time they shared.