Tools That Teach pt.2-Hunter Gatherer games.

Howdy again folks!
In this continuing series of Tools That Teach we are going to continue to explore the research of David Sobel and his work with youth and Sense of Place education. As stated in the previous posting, Sobel has identified 7 design principles for environmental/ experiential education programs based on watching children play outside. The second principle he has identified is playing/using Hunter Gathering Games. These games or activities should include skills that would be needed in a hunter/gatherer society. Some skills in that category might be sensory awareness, physical quickness, agility, decision making, teamwork, and strategy.
In a traditional or classic ropes course program games/activities that could fit in this category would be:
Smaug's Jewell's, Have You Ever-the movement version where you have to find a space marker or you are in the middle (like above), Everybody's It-actual any tag games really, Key Punch (calculator), and SWAT. These of course are just a few activities that would address several of the skills mentioned above. In an environmental education program activities such as Discovery Hikes, Deer Ears, Coyote Eyes, Stalking, Camouflage, Animals-Animals-Animals, and Bat and Moth. In a metaphorical sense, the small groups that we work with could be seen as tribes or packs. A challenge for you would be to see how you could weave that metaphor into your group work.
If you work with more teambuilding type activities, you can have your group explore what modern day "Hunter Gatherer" skills might look like and how they could help their Tribe ensure their longevity. Now, unless your program is based in indigenous education models or strictly environmental, using the term Hunter Gatherer with groups may not be effective. And having that model in your head as you plan and guide your program can add a design concept into your program. Even though the 7 areas that Sobel  recognized in children's outdoor play, I think that they can have a positive influence on adult groups. We were all children at some point, and by engaging childhood paradigms with adults groups you may be able add some emotional energy to your programs. Enjoy playing with hunter gather games and paradigm models.

Until next time, keep doing amazing work changing the world one group at a time. You can leave comments here, or email me at asinglefootstep@gmail.com. And I have another blog which is nature activity based called What's Out There.