I'm surrounded by teenage boys who won't go to sleep.

[Bebek Sincap Ratatosk]

We divide the group up into two smaller groups.  The 2 groups sit on the floor opposite from each other.  We bring a tarp (though really just a blanket) between the two groups.  One person from each group moves to the front on either side of the tarp.  We drop the tarp and the goal is to say the name of the other person first.  The loser has to join the group who won that round.  It continues until everyone is on one side or we run out of time and need to move on to the next part of the program. 

That would be really fun stoned...

[Richter]

It sounds like a hilarious excuse for Freudian slips.

[AFK]

How is the level of physical activity at these retreats?
After dark football, capture the flag (especially in an area with lots of cover), or night hikes (no flashlights allowed) are all tried and true ways to get them good and tired. 

We sprinkle in some activities to get kids moving.

We play this one game called "Have you ever..."  All of the kids except one get in a circle and mark their spot with one of their shoes.  So if we have 25 kids at the retreat there are 24 shoes, so spots for all but one of the kids.  The kid in the middle asks something like "Have you ever....climbed a mountain?"  Every kid who has done that has to race to another spot in the circle with a shoe.  Whoever doesn't find a spot asks the next question.  It's a good activity to get them moving and also allows them to learn more about each other. 

Actually after the programming on Tuesday, a bunch of the kids decided to play flashlight tag in the main hall.  Luckily for me, and my agency, nobody got hurt, though I did have to close off the kitchen after awhile because I really didn't want anyone cutting themself or getting hurt in there. 

Ah, bound by insurance and liabilty to keep things "safe".
Even if you can't condone it, can you kick them outside?

No, because essentially my agency is on the hook either way.  We put the training together so while we are on someone else's grounds, technically, we are still hosting the training.  And outside is probably worse because we're out in the middle of the woods.  It's pitch black.  There are roots and rocks sticking up all over the place, and there is a big pool of cold drowny death nearby. 

[Richter]

How is the level of physical activity at these retreats?
After dark football, capture the flag (especially in an area with lots of cover), or night hikes (no flashlights allowed) are all tried and true ways to get them good and tired. 

We sprinkle in some activities to get kids moving.

We play this one game called "Have you ever..."  All of the kids except one get in a circle and mark their spot with one of their shoes.  So if we have 25 kids at the retreat there are 24 shoes, so spots for all but one of the kids.  The kid in the middle asks something like "Have you ever....climbed a mountain?"  Every kid who has done that has to race to another spot in the circle with a shoe.  Whoever doesn't find a spot asks the next question.  It's a good activity to get them moving and also allows them to learn more about each other. 

Actually after the programming on Tuesday, a bunch of the kids decided to play flashlight tag in the main hall.  Luckily for me, and my agency, nobody got hurt, though I did have to close off the kitchen after awhile because I really didn't want anyone cutting themself or getting hurt in there. 

Ah, bound by insurance and liabilty to keep things "safe".
Even if you can't condone it, can you kick them outside?

No, because essentially my agency is on the hook either way.  We put the training together so while we are on someone else's grounds, technically, we are still hosting the training.  And outside is probably worse because we're out in the middle of the woods.  It's pitch black.  There are roots and rocks sticking up all over the place, and there is a big pool of cold drowny death nearby. 

Ah, you're doing this solo too, right?

[AFK]

Actually, I have two other trainers with me.  We each focus on different parts of the training.  My main focus is on the action planning segment of the training, though we all help each other out with all portions.  But I am responsible for the overall training as I'm the sole representative of my agency and the coordinator of the program.  The other two are contract trainers.