Chapter 3, Annex O ENERGIZERS AND ICEBREAKERS

A large, open space free from obstacles,

Rope (enough for 0.5 m [1.6 feet] per group), and

Scissors.

Divide the cadets into groups of five.

Give each group a “ship” (rope circle).

With all members holding on to the sides of the “ship”, the cadets must run back and forth the length of the playing field.

When the leader yells “SHARK”, all members must lay the “ship” down and jump “on board” (inside the rope circle). The first group with all feet off the ground gains a point.

Repeat the procedure until a group reaches five points.

A large, open space free from obstacles,

Balloons (a minimum of one per group),

Funnel, and

Water.

Divide the cadets into groups of five.

Have each group form a circle.

Give each group a balloon with a small amount of water in it.

Have the cadets try to keep the balloon off the ground by using their feet to hit it to the other cadets in the group.

Encourage teams to try to keep the balloon moving from cadet to cadet for as long as possible.

Divide the cadets into pairs (pairs should be close to the same height).

Within each pair, have one cadet initiate an action and the other imitate it, becoming the “mirror image”.

Encourage the initiator to make slow movements, stretches and jumps.

Swap roles after a few minutes.

Have the cadets form a circle, either seated or standing.

Ask for a volunteer to sit or stand in the middle (the “questioner”).

Have the “questioner” ask an appropriate question to the group that is prefaced with “Have you ever….?” (eg, Have you ever stayed up for 48 hours straight? Have you ever been to another Cadet Summer Training Centre?). The question that the “questioner” asks must be something that they have actually done.

If there are cadets in the circle who have experienced what the “questioner” asked, they are to leave their place in the circle and find an empty place somewhere else in the circle. The “questioner” also tries to find an empty space.

The person who is left without a place in the circle once everyone has moved is the new “questioner”.

Continue the process with a new “questioner”.

Have the cadets stand in a circle.

Ask for a volunteer to stand in the middle. This cadet is the “zipper”.

Have the “zipper” approach someone with their hands pressed together and all fingers pointing forward, look them straight in the eye and say “zip”.

Once “zip” is called, the cadet being pointed at is to duck down – the “ducker”. The two cadets on each side of the “ducker” are to face in toward each other, with their hands clasped and index fingers pointing at the other person. Each cadet is to yell “zap” at the other person (this will usually occur simultaneously). These people are the “zappers”.

If the “ducker” does not duck quick enough or a cadet gets zapped, that cadet is to go to the middle and become the new “zipper”.

After two or three rounds, invite another “zipper” to the middle to create more challenge. Continue the activity with two or more “zippers”.

Have the cadets stand in a circle in the centre of the “ship”.

Demonstrate and explain the seaworthy terms and chores that the cadets will be performing:

As the Captain, issue a series of commands to the cadets.

Have the group stand in a circle.

Teach the group the following moves – with the index fingers, point up to the sky and alternate thrusts of each hand to a beat (eg, left hand up, then right hand up). Point down with alternating thrusts, point to the left while taking rocking steps and point to the right while taking rocking steps.

Using the dancing moves, teach the cadets the Chic-a-Boom song:

“Hey there (enter name), you’re a real cool cat.
You’ve got a lot of this, and you’ve got a lot of that.
So come on in and get down…
…aaaand, up chic-a-boom, chic-a-boom, chic-a-boom.
And down chic-a-boom, chic-a-boom, chic-a-boom.
To the left, chic-a-boom, chic-a-boom, chic-a-boom.
To the right, chic-a-boom, chic-a-boom, chic-a-boom.”

Have one cadet volunteer to be the first cadet to go in the middle of the circle.

Have the cadets sing the song and complete the dance moves. The cadet in the middle begins to sing while looking directly at someone in the circle. When the song gets to the “come on in and get down” part, have the cadet in the middle sidle up to another cadet, link arms and lead them to the centre of the circle.

On the next turn, both cadets stay in the middle and bring another cadet in, and so on.

Encourage cadets to be creative and expressive with their singing and dancing when they are in the middle of the circle. They could bring some attitude or even beat boxing into the circle.

The activity ends when all cadets are in the middle of the circle.

Paper (one sheet per cadet), and

Pens/pencils (one per cadet).

Distribute a piece of paper and a pen/pencil to each cadet.

Read the following out loud, “On a blank piece of paper, draw a pig. Don’t look at your neighbour’s pig. Don’t even glance.”

Allow approximately three minutes for the cadets to draw a pig.

When all cadets are finished, allow a few moments for the cadets to look at their neighbours’ pigs.

Explain that the pig drawings could indicate a person’s personality traits. Share the personality traits of the pig exercise with the group. If the pig is drawn:

Allow time for the cadets to discuss their pigs with others.

A large, open space free from obstacles, and

Hula hoop.

Have the cadets form a circle and hold hands with the cadet on either side of them.

Rest a hula hoop on two cadets’ grasped hands.

Have the cadets try to have the hoop travel around the circle, while everyone is still holding hands.

If the activity is completed quickly, have the cadets try again.

Have the cadets gather in the designated space.

Explain that numbers will be shouted out (eg, “four”, “seven”, etc). When numbers are shouted out, the cadets are to form groups consisting of that number of people. Those cadets who do not form a group can simply wait until another number is shouted out, and then form a group.

If the cadets catch on quickly, add a new rule that each cadet cannot form a new group with any cadet who was in their previous group.

Cadet Feud Survey (one per cadet),

Scissors,

Pens/pencils (one per cadet),

Tennis ball,

Chalkboard/whiteboard, and

Chalk or whiteboard markers.

Photocopy, cut out and have the cadets complete the survey.

Conduct the attached survey.

Tally and rank the top five answers for each question.

Prepare the chalkboard/whiteboard by writing the numbers one through five.

Divide the group into two teams and have them sit facing each other.

Place a tennis ball on a table or on the floor. Have the first person from each team come forward and sit an equal distance away from the tennis ball (this will serve as the “buzzer”).

Ask the first question (eg, “Name five of the top restaurants.”). The first person to grab the ball will get a chance to answer the question. If the ball is grabbed early, stop reading the question and allow for the cadet to give an answer.

If the cadet gives an answer that is on the list, write it beside the corresponding number. If this person has not guessed the number one answer, the other player may have a turn to guess. The person who guesses the highest answer on the list gets to choose whether his/her team will play or pass.

After this, each team gets three strikes (wrong answers). The team that is playing gets the chance to guess the remaining answers on the board. Give each person a turn, down the line.

Once the playing team gets three strikes, the other team decides as a group what one answer they want to give to try to fill in one of the remaining blanks.

If the first team fills in all the blanks, they win the round, but if the opposing team guesses one of the remaining answers, they win the round.

Continue with the rest of the questions in the same manner.

Cadet Feud Survey (one per cadet),

Scissors,

Pens/pencils (one per cadet),

Tennis ball,

Chalkboard/whiteboard, and

Chalk or whiteboard markers.

Photocopy, cut out and have the cadets complete the survey.

Conduct the attached survey.

Tally and rank the top five answers for each question.

Prepare the chalkboard or whiteboard by writing the numbers one through five.

Divide the group into two teams and have them sit facing each other.

Place a tennis ball on a table or on the floor. Have the first person from each team come forward and sit an equal distance away from the tennis ball (this will serve as the “buzzer”).

Ask the first question (eg, “Name five of the top celebrities.”). The first person to grab the ball will get a chance to answer the question. If the ball is grabbed early, stop reading the question and allow for the cadet to give an answer.

If the cadet gives an answer that is on the list, write it beside the corresponding number. If this person has not guessed the number one answer, the other player may have a turn to guess. The person who guesses the highest answer on the list gets to choose whether his/her team will play or pass.

After this, each team gets three strikes (wrong answers). The team that is playing gets the chance to guess the remaining answers on the board. Give each person a turn, down the line.

Once the playing team gets three strikes, the other team decides as a group what one answer they want to give to try to fill in one of the remaining blanks.

If the first team fills in all the blanks, they win the round, but if the opposing team guesses one of the remaining answers, they win the round.

Continue with the rest of the questions in the same manner.

Divide the cadets into pairs.

Explain that there will be a series of partner activities announced that the cadets will have to perform.

Introduce each performance:

Call out a performance and have each pair of cadets perform it. Continue calling out different performances.

Have the group sit on the ground, with space between each cadet.

Explain to the cadets that anyone can stand up when they would like to, but no one can remain standing for longer than five seconds before they sit again.

Once some cadets begin to stand, tell them that the goal is to have exactly four people standing up at all times.

Have the cadets form a circle and grasp the hands or wrists of their neighbours.

Have the cadets move back and stretch out the circle without letting go (not to the full extent of the arms).

With everyone’s feet together and planted on the ground, instruct everyone to lean backwards.

Encourage the cadets to adjust the position of their feet if they are uncomfortable.

Try to get everyone to fully support each other’s weight. This may take a few tries!

A large, open space free from obstacles, and

Hula hoops (four).

Have the cadets form a single file, one behind the other.

Have the cadets hold hands front-to-back by reaching backward through their legs to grasp the free hand of the person behind them.

Designate one cadet to be the “starter”. Have the “starter” stand in front of the line, holding four hula hoops.

Explain that when signalled to begin the game, the “starter” will place one of the hula hoops over the head of the first person in line. The cadets will have to try to have the hula hoop travel from cadet to cadet. When the first hoop reaches the third person in line, the “starter” may add another hoop, and so on. If the “starter” wishes to be part of the game, they can simply start the last hoop and become the first person in line.

Signal to begin the game.

When the first hoop reaches the last cadet in the line, they will run to the front of the line with the hoop, grab the hand of the now second cadet and start to move the hoop to the end of the line.

Continue until the original front cadet returns to their original position.

A large, open space free from obstacles,

Balloons of varying colours (two per cadet), and

Markers (one per group).

Divide the cadets into groups of four.

Distribute deflated balloons of varying colours around the space.

Have each group get into train formation (together in single file) and give the first person in each line, the “engine”, a marker.

Explain to the cadets that each group is a passenger “train” that must pick up “passengers”, balloons, two per person. Each person in the train will be a “car”.

Balloons become “passengers” when they are inflated and have a face. One cadet must inflate the balloon, tie it and paint a face on it with the marker.

Each train must move around together and pick up “passengers”. “Passengers” must be the same colour and everyone must be carrying two. The train must stay still while a cadet is inflating and drawing. The objective is for each train to have all “passengers” that are the same colour.

The first “train” to reach the destination point with all “passengers” accounted for (two balloons per cadet) wins the game.

Explain to the cadets that instructions will be given for them to line up in a particular way.

Once lined up, the group must sit at the same time, to indicate that they are finished.

Possible categories include:

Pick Pocket Activity Sheet (one per group),

Scissors,

Pens/pencils (one per group), and

Stopwatch.

Divide the cadets into two groups.

Explain to the cadets that they will have five minutes to try and find as many items on the Pick Pocket Activity Sheet as possible.

Distribute a Pick Pocket Activity Sheet to each group.

Start the activity.

Once five minutes have passed, bring the cadets back to one area and compare which items were found by each group.

A large, open space free from obstacles, and

Stopwatch.

Gather the group in an area.

Explain to the group that on the command “Now” everyone will try to count 60 seconds in their head and then sit. There is to be no talking and the cadets cannot look at their watches.

While looking at the stopwatch, yell “Now” to signal the cadets to begin.

Note the cadet who sits down closest to the 60 second time frame.

When all cadets are sitting, announce who was the closest.

Repeat the activity.

Divide the cadets into two equal groups.

Have each group sit in a circle, with their backs to the middle.

Have the cadets in each group link elbows with the cadets sitting on either side of them.

Explain that on the command “Go” everyone will try to stand up as one.

Give the command “Go.” This activity may require a lot of encouragement and many tries.

A large space,

Word puzzle sheet (one per cadet),

Pens/pencils (one per cadet), and

Stopwatch.

Distribute a word puzzle sheet and a pen/pencil to each cadet.

Explain to the cadets that they have three minutes to try and complete as many word puzzles as possible.

After three minutes, have the cadets form groups of three. Among the three cadets, encourage them to come up with as many answers as possible.

Share the word puzzle answers with the cadets.

Have the group gather.

Explain to the group that they will separate and regroup according to the categories announced.

Announce a category. Possible categories include:

Once groups are formed, announce another category. Continue announcing categories until the time has lapsed.

Have the group stand or sit together.

Read a point from the human scavenger hunt. The team must send a cadet to the front who fits the description. For example, if the leader says “Two cadets who have the same middle name,” members must talk and find out if there are two cadets in the group who fit the description and then quickly send those cadets to the leader.

The human scavenger hunt could consist of:

A large, open space free from obstacles,

Flip chart paper (one sheet per cadet),

Markers (one per cadet), and

Masking tape (one roll).

Distribute a piece of flip chart paper and a marker to each cadet. Get all the cadets to place their first and last names at the top.

Write and post the following questions on a piece of flip chart paper:

Allow time for each cadet to write their answers on their piece of flip chart paper.

Using masking tape, have the cadets help each other attach the flip chart paper to the writer’s shoulders, to look like a “walking billboard”.

A large, open space,

Large sticky notes (one per cadet), and

Pens/pencils (one per cadet).

Distribute a large sticky note and a pen/pencil to each cadet.

Have each cadet write their first and last names on their sticky note.

Allow two or three minutes for each cadet to write down two words or brief phrases that tell something about themselves and can be used as conversation starters (eg, hometown, hobby, quirk, etc).

Have the cadets start to mingle and form groups of two or three and discuss their words or phrases with other cadets.

Once a few minutes have passed, tell the cadets to switch groups while encouraging them to meet and mingle with as many cadets as possible.

A large, open space,

Bingo Blast cards (one per cadet), and

Pens/pencils (one per cadet).

Distribute a bingo card and a pen/pencil to each cadet.

Allow five minutes for the cadets to roam around the area trying to find a person to fit each description on the card. Once a person is found, that cadet will sign their name on the bingo card. Encourage the cadets to try to fill out the complete card.

Once time is up, have the cadets gather in one area and sit.

Read the descriptions out loud and see who fits each description.

Divide the cadets into two equal groups.

Give each group five minutes to:

Allow one minute for each group to act out their group’s name, while the rest of the cadets guess.

Have the cadets spread out in the area.

Have the cadets walk around shaking hands and introducing themselves to other cadets.

Call out a characteristic and have the cadets form groups with other cadets who share that characteristic. Some characteristics could include:

Encourage the cadets to form groups with different cadets as frequently as possible.

A large, open space,

Peculiarities Activity Sheet (one per cadet), and

Pens/pencils (one per cadet).

Distribute an activity sheet and a pen/pencil to each cadet.

Allow five minutes for the cadets to roam around the area trying to find a cadet to fit each description on the card. Once a cadet is found, have the cadet tick their peculiarity off the list and write their name next to the description. Encourage the cadets to try to tick off as many as possible.

Once time is up, have the cadets join in one area and sit.

Read the descriptions out loud and see who fits each description.

Who was born on February 29^th?

Who has or had a dog named Spot, Midnight, Lucky, Shadow or Snoopy?

Who competes in sporting activities such as running, basketball, etc?

Who likes pizza with anchovies?

Who was born in a different province than the one in which they reside?

Who was born outside of Canada?

Who has been to Nunavut?

Who writes songs or poetry?

Who has a twin brother or sister?

Who has a shoe size greater than 10?

Who has milked a cow?

Who has been to a concert in the past three months?

Who has been on a radio or television show?

Who prefers winter to summer?

Divide the cadets into pairs, preferably two cadets that do not know each other well.

Have the pairs sit facing each other and decide who will go first and who will go second.

Have each pair make eye contact and sit with an open body posture (eg, do not cross arms).

Explain that each pair will have two minutes each to answer the question “What do I like about myself?” The partner not answering the question cannot talk but must express a keen interest in the cadet through body language.

Have the first cadet speak about themselves. At the end of the two minutes, have the cadets switch roles.

A large, open space free from obstacles, and

Tennis balls (three).

Have the cadets stand in a circle.

Start the activity using one ball. All cadets will begin the game with one arm in the air. The cadet with the ball will call out their own name and the name of the cadet to whom they are going to throw the ball they will then throw the ball to that cadet. The ball must be thrown to a cadet with their arm in the air to ensure each cadet has the opportunity to participate. Once the cadet has caught the ball they are to put their arm down.

Have the cadet who catches the ball say their own name, say the name of the cadet to whom they are going to throw the ball and then throw the ball to that cadet.

Continue the game until the cadets seem comfortable using one ball.

Add more balls. The rules remain the same, only that the cadets have to pay much more attention! Continue until everyone has caught a ball, then all cadets should start again with their arm in the air.

Divide the cadets into groups of three or four.

Allow two minutes for each group to find three distinctive things that all of the cadets have in common. The only rule is that the three distinctive things cannot be related to the Cadet Program (eg, won the marksmanship team or received an award at the Annual Ceremonial Review). Some examples could be:

Once all groups have completed Step 2., have the cadets regroup and share the three commonalities with the remainder of the cadets.

If time remains, complete the activity again with different groups.

A large, open space,

Index cards (one per cadet), and

Pens/pencils (one per cadet).

Distribute an index card and a pen/pencil to each cadet.

Have each cadet write down one thing about themselves that they do not think anyone else would know.

Collect all the cards and shuffle them. Randomly distribute one card to each cadet.

Allow five minutes for the cadets to circulate the room and ask questions to the other cadets to try to find out whose card they have.

Have each cadet sit after they have found the person whose card they have and when the cadet with their card locates them.

A large, open space free from obstacles, and

Tape/rope (approximately 10 m [32 feet]).

If using tape, tape two parallel lines 50 cm (20 inches) apart, each approximately 5 m (16 feet) long on the floor.

If using rope, place two parallel lines 50 cm (20 inches) apart, each approximately 5 m (16 feet) long on the ground.

Have all the cadets stand side by side inside the two lines, without their feet touching them.

Tell the cadets to organize themselves in order of birthday without stepping outside or on the lines.

If completed quickly, have the cadets organize themselves again using different criteria (eg, height, shoe size, hair colour).

A large, open space,

Coat of arms template (one per cadet),

Pens/pencils (one per cadet).

Distribute a coat of arms template and a pen/pencil to each cadet.

Have the cadets fill in their coat of arms by reading the following aloud, one at a time:

When complete, use the remaining the time for the cadets to mingle with others to share their coat of arms.

A large, open space,

Paper (one piece per cadet), and

Pens/pencils (one per cadet).

Tell the following story:

“Imagine you have just landed on Mars and need to introduce yourself to your Martian tour guide. Language on Mars is the complete reverse of ours. This means you must change your name so it is backward: last name first, first name last and both spelled backward, letter by letter. In addition, every name on Mars means something special and relates to the person who has that name. On your sheet of paper, write your name as it would appear on Mars. Practice pronouncing it. Think about what your Martian name means and be prepared to share it with the group.”

Show the cadets your Martian name and meaning. For example, Sarah Jones becomes “Senoj Haras,” which means “enjoys taking long trips and hiking with my friends” or Joshua Carew becomes “Werac Auhsoj,” which means “warrior of the desert.”

Distribute a piece of paper and a pen/pencil to each cadet and allow two minutes for the cadets to complete their Martian names.

Have the cadets share their Martian names with the group.