Team Work Joe

Today's "Staff Musing" is from Joe Herbert, our Lead Team Challenge Course Facilitator, Lead Counselor, and future director of a lucky camp. Joe was born in a camp and was raised by camp counselors.

Teamwork. A word that conjures images of people doing things together. But teamwork is much more than this. I believe the ability to work with others is a skill that is necessary for all of us, no matter what our profession. In fact, I am sure that at some point everyone will be in a situation where they will need to work with others to reach some sort of common goal. This is why so many outdoor centers offer team building as a core curriculum for those seeking to teach our kids how to work together, and to reteach those adults who sometimes forget what it means to work together.

Working here at the Eastern 4-H Center, one of my responsibilities is to facilitate teambuilding

...and I am always amazed at how hard many of our youth find it to work with others. When they finish an activity and are asked what helped them reach their goal, they almost always respond “Teamwork!” but are unable to define what exactly teamwork is. It sometimes takes awhile before they come up with some defining words such as cooperation, communication, trust, etc. And while these are large concepts in themselves, they’re easier to grasp than the idea of “teamwork.” When you think about it, sitting in a classroom doing your school work doesn’t exactly scream “work together.” In fact, students are usually encouraged to do their own work away from others. So then, where do they learn this skill that I feel is so important? Besides the occasional group project or sport environment, I feel teamwork must be learned outside of the traditional school atmosphere.

This is where facilities such as the Eastern 4-H Center come into play. With facilities and staff who are trained to stimulate this growth, kids and adults alike are exposed to intense challenges and issues that force them to work together to better understand all the different facets of what it means to truly be a team. While each team operates slightly differently, the core concepts are the same. Groups learn about effective communication, cooperation and collaboration, trust, leadership, and innumerable others. The great thing is that all of this knowledge doesn’t just end when they leave the challenge course presented to them. All of these skills can be transferred back to a school or work environment if effort is put in to maintaining the learning that took place. So ask yourself, “Am I good team member?” “Would I want to work with me?” and depending on your answer, keep an eye on the blog. There are sure to be more tips and specific ideas on how to build an effective team.

Enjoy the day...