On the 3-Day, we are all part of one big family. We walk, eat, cheer, glamp, share and succeed together. However, many of our 3-Dayers walk as members of teams within that larger family (teams ranging from 1 member to 119!), and we love seeing you all bond and thrive over the course of 60 miles.
To make your team as strong as possible, we recommend doing a few team building activities leading up to the 3-Day to get bring your teammates as close as possible. This is especially important for teams where not everyone knows each other. We have some simple and fun ideas to get your next team meeting off on a fun note!
Human Knot
Tried and true, this is never a bad idea, and could be a fun way to start each of your team meetings. Starting in a circle, participants connect hands with two others people in the group (but not anyone next to them) to form a human knot. As a team, they must then try to unravel the “knot” by untangling themselves without breaking the chain of hands. Time yourself each meeting and see if you get better the longer you work and train together.
Photo Finish
The aim of the challenge is to set up a “finish line” or your training walk, and get the whole group to step across it at exactly the same time. Strike a pose, or take a leap! If one person is out of sync, then you must start over again. This activity involves planning, communication and timing. Create your own finish line, and make it as exciting or intricate as you like! Then, set a timer on your camera and capture the action. This is great practice for crossing the finish line at the end of your 60 miles.
Human Shapes
Working together as a team, the group must use their bodies to form letters and words. You can lay on the ground to form them, transform your body while standing, or even use your fingers to make words together! Spell out your team name, the name of the person you’re walking for, or phrases like “The 3 Day” and “More Than Pink.” Take photos and tag us on social media! We might just re-post!
Shoe Tower
Just completed a long training walk or a team shoe fitting for the 3-Day? Make use of your sneakers! Using the shoes available to your team, split into two sides and try to construct the tallest tower of shoes. The team with the tallest tower wins the challenge!
Geocache Adventure
A lot like a scavenger hunt, a geocache adventures rely on clues, but has the added level of using GPS coordinates to find an item. There are several apps available to use on smartphones that you can use for geocache-ing. The team captain can hide clues or 3-Day treats in locations around a park or your local town. Then, split into pairs and go off hunting! The pair that hits all the spots first, and gets to the “finish line”…wins! This helps team members work together to achieve a specific goal, just like you will on the 3-Day.
Group Timeline
Using poster board, a bulletin board, or a large piece of paper, create a timeline. Have it start on the birth year of your team’s oldest member, and go up to this year. Mark each year on the timeline. Then, also mark important years for Susan G. Komen and the 3-Day, like the first year there was an event in your city.
After that, give your team members four slips of paper, and ask them to mark down four important moments in their life. Let them pin them to the timeline. This will help your team members learn more about each other, and about the history of the 3-Day.
What are your favorite team building exercises? Tell us in the comments!
