Desert Survival Group Discussion

Summary: A team-based decision-making exercise where participants must prioritize items for survival after a simulated plane crash in the Sonora Desert.

Purpose: To develop critical thinking, teamwork, and decision-making skills under pressure, while also learning about desert survival principles.

How: Participants individually rank 15 salvaged items based on their perceived importance for survival, then collaborate as a team to create a consensus ranking. Finally, they compare their choices with an expert's ranking.

Expected outcome: Improved group decision-making skills, enhanced understanding of desert survival techniques, and insights into individual vs. group problem-solving dynamics.

How to measure impact:

  • Compare individual rankings to team rankings and expert rankings

  • Assess the degree of change in individual opinions after group discussion

  • Evaluate team communication and negotiation processes

  • Collect feedback on lessons learned about survival and teamwork

Pre-event checklist:

  • Prepare individual ranking sheets

  • Create team ranking sheets

  • Have expert ranking available (but hidden until the end)

  • Brief facilitators on desert survival facts and common misconceptions

  • Set up a "survival master" station for questions

Post-event checklist:

  • Reveal expert rankings and explain rationale

  • Facilitate discussion on differences between individual, team, and expert rankings

  • Discuss key survival principles learned

  • Reflect on team dynamics and decision-making processes

  • Collect participant feedback

Curated by: Foundation

Ideal audience:

  • Community members

Resource Links/Attatchments:

Recent events: Leads camp

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