Planning an Impactful Trip - It's About the Participant Experience

What makes a Reno ICO Adventure successful?  The best measure is whether the participants want to come back for more. Consider any day hike you have taken. That same hike on the same day with the same weather can be a very different experience for participants based on several factors. From the perspective of a participant...

• Did I feel welcomed and valued? (Inclusion)
• Did I feel physically and emotionally safe?
• Was I comfortable with the physical challenge? Did I enjoy the physical challenge?
• Did I have a voice? Could I be myself?
• Did I make any friends?
• Did I have fun?

When participants answer "YES" to these questions, it is likely they will want to take part in more outdoor experiences.  Through intentional trip planning a Trip Leader or Volunteer can set up and guide the trip with inclusion, safety, doable challenge and group dynamics as part of that plan. 

At the Reno ICO Outdoor Leadership Training (OLT), new volunteers and prospective Trip Leaders experience a weekend retreat rooted in the outdoors. The retreat has been planned with the above questions in mind. During the OLT, the facilitators use many activities and games which build community, promote inclusion and communication, and promote a feeling of physical and emotional safety and well-being. All of these aspects of the training help participants build relationships and give them the sense that this is a group of people I would like to spend time with. I want more of this in my life. I want to be part of Reno Inspiring Connections Outdoors.

ICO trip leaders and volunteers are encouraged to use these activities to make every trip one that participants will cherish. There are hundreds of activities and games that one can incorporate into outdoor adventure trips - These are good ones to get started with!  Good luck and have fun!

Activities and Trail Games 

Pre-trip Meetings and at the Trailhead (Opening Circle)

• Diversity Welcome - The intention of the Diversity welcome is inclusion. Such a great way to begin an ICO meeting, training, or outing.
• Name Game - We are Reno Inspiring Connections Outdoors - Not only are we connecting with nature, but we are connecting with others. That starts in a fun way as we learn each other's names.
• Greeting Frenzy - This can be used any time after the group has had a chance to begin to get to know each other. It is an excellent way to bring people together at the beginning of the second and third days of a trip - a morning greeting!
• Share a Stretch - This is a great way for participants to get the kinks out after sleeping and a long day yesterday. Also, it gives everyone a chance to lead the group in a light and fun way.

Trail Activities and Games (Also good at lunch and breaks)

• Strategies For Bringing People Together - Getting a group of 8 to 30 people can be a challenge!  Here are some tricks and fun activities, that will also build community.
• Strategies For Forming Groups - Forming groups of 2-4 people or splitting a large group into smaller groups can be done with finesse with these strategies.
• 1 - 2 - 3 Clapping Game - A silly physical game with some hidden positive outcomes for groups
• Big Booty - The silliest game ever. And so much fun!
• Encouraging Worm - A neat way to get the whole group up the hill, while building community and teamwork
• Farthest Place You Have Been - This activity inspires participants about their travels and is a step in building relationships.
• 7 Tips to Quiet Your Mind - Hiking and backpacking can be very spiritual experiences.  These tips can be shared to help participants get the most out of a day of walking. Also, leaders can use these techniques throughout a trip to remain calm.

End of the Day Activities (Closing Circle)

• Reflecting on the Day - By facilitating a group reflection time, ICO leaders can help participants consider what's important, what made the day great, and help them to consider their place in nature and the group.
• Gratitude Activities - A couple of activities to share about the gifts of others in the group. Specially designed so that all are recognized and appreciated.
• Energy Ball - A powerful closing activity that is also a science lesson!

Camp and Evening Activities (Overnight Trips) 

• Spoon and Fork (Piney and Fishy) - Another silly game. This one is really fun, but is probably the most challenging of all for the group to get it right.
• Fire Poem - A beautiful poem about fire and a whole lot more.
• ICO Wilderness Quotes - A powerful activity for deepening the outdoor experience, getting the group talking deeply together, and introducing participants to environmental activism.
   

Gratitude is expressed to the many people who developed the above strategies and activities, and brought them forward. Many of the above activities grew out of the work of social and emotional learning (SEL) consultants & employees from the Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL), along with dozens of SEL coordinators, coaches, principals, and teachers from eight collaborating school districts from Anchorage, Alaska to Nashville, Tennessee. This work took place from 2010 through 2018.