Deer Hill Ranch - Youth Teambuilding

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You are here: Youth Programs >> Youth Team Building > Case Study

Benefits of Youth Team Building | Case Study | Logistics

Our Day at the Ranch
As experienced by the 7th Grade Class from
Roosevelt Middle School, Oakland, CA

Sixty children and their teachers, David Suarez, Margaret Jackson, and Mrs. Chi from the Oakland school district came as guests on the ranch for a half-day team building in December 2000. The children were from different ethnic backgrounds, including Asian, Thai, Latino, Hispanic and African-American.

Our facilitators started out by assisting the children with brushing, combing, and feeding the pony and pigs. They fed grain to the goats and sheep, collected eggs, and touched the lambs wool to feel the texture for lanolin. Starting out the session by meeting the gentle farm animals at Deer Hill has been proven to be a wonderful opportunity for participants to enjoy personal success. Our group leaders help them work through any fear of interacting with animals and provide nonjudgmental, positive reinforcement throughout the session.

Team building exercises followed with breathing, stretching, and "ice breakers" to get the session started. As the group began to solve the games and initiatives, they began to gel and understand the importance of respect, trust, safety, care, belonging, listening and speaking as they attempted each activity.

The Roosevelt teachers wanted the exercises to focus on increasing group cooperation and a feeling of inclusion for all students in the classroom. After the trip, Dave noted that "cohesiveness was much greater and the biggest thing was that the kids bonded. The kids were less on their guard with each other…They worked together really well for the rest of the year."

Dave feels his kids learned that they have some control over group interactions and that if they want to get something out of working with a group, they have to put something into it. He had been trying to get his students to work effectively as a group for months, but students were focused on their differences, rather than commonalties. After one session at Deer Hill Ranch, one boy raised his hand and said, "This is a much better way to get the point across-by doing it-working together and learning how at the same time."

Group Leaders Buy-In Key to Group Success

Throughout the years, we have witnessed how important it is that adult group leaders attending DHR team building sessions are committed to helping reinforce the day's positive outcomes. After a day at the Ranch with his class, David Suarez placed pictures of his kids participating in the program on the wall to help remind them of the valuable lessons they had learned that day. "It helped build group unity and open up communications." David recently told us that he was amazed that this year, students are returning to him saying that last year was their very best year! According to David, they liked it so much because of the day they spent at Deer Hill Ranch. After their visit, they worked better together in the classroom. The activities bonded the class, as well as allowed them to experience trust and group support. But having David reinforce their learning, by using the photos taken that day, was key to the success of their team building experience.

What the Kids Had to Say

"I am going to tell you about one of the activities we did. One was that our group had to save the world. They gave us a few wooden blocks and we had to keep our foot on the blocks or we would lose it. It was fun and we had to communicate with each other…I learned that when you listen to others' comments, things get done.
-Robbie Berry

"Our class did plenty of activities at Deer Hill Ranch. Petting the animals was my favorite activity. We also learned how to cooperate, have trust, have teamwork, have participation, and be nice in group activities. I learned that if you work along with your group, you would finish faster and have better work. All of this needs cooperation, trust, teamwork, participation, and kindness."
-Johnny W

"I learned that O.U.C.H. means Our Unkind Comments Hurt. I also learned that working together can be more fun than not cooperating in your team."
-Maribel Burgos

I really enjoyed learning about teamwork and cooperation. I also learned to trust my fellow classmates. Yesterday was a day I learned not to judge people right away and to respect other people's opinions."
-Roosevelt 7th grader

"When we arrived at Deer Hill Ranch, we settled down and helped care for the farm animals, then we split up into groups and played games. Each game involved team work, leadership, effort, and respect. I think the class really bonded. I learned how to listen and understand people's ideas.
-Julian Okiweln

Yesterday, I learned how to trust my classmates. I learned that when you can't see, your other four senses get much better. I also learned that working together as a team can get you real far. My team worked together great. Thank you!
-Shara White

Class participating in "Blind Trust Walk," an exercise that teaches the importance of choosing their words carefully to keep the blind-folded participant physically and emotionally safe.

"Acid River," an exercise that teaches the importance of planning, listening to other people's input, and the need for groups to be able to continually try new ideas.

Group members participating in a debriefing , a key component after each exercise to help process their growing awareness of how their behaviors impact others.

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