The Beam

1. In advance, assess your group’s physical abilities and spotting skills as required for this exercise.
2. Ask your group to stand on one side of the suspended beam.
3. Objective: Challenge your group to pass every member of their team over the beam as quickly and as safely as possible.
4. For safety purposes, team members can position themselves as spotters on either side of the beam at any time, ie when a participant is actively being passed over the beam, everyone is a spotter.
5. No more than three people are permitted on top of the beam at any time, including the person being passed.
6. Any person who is off the ground (including those sitting on the beam) must have at least one person spotting them at all times.
7. Allow up to 20 minutes to complete the task (or other time as will challenge your group.)
8. Process your group’s experience at the conclusion of the task.

• Inspect the area for unsafe ground cover and other obstructions.
• Inspect and confirm the integrity of the wooden beam and attachments.
• Plan an appropriate sequence of lead-up activities to prepare your group (physically, emotionally & mentally) for success.
• Present the problem clearly, review recommended spotting guidelines and answer questions before the first participant makes their attempt.
• Assume necessary spotting role when required.

• Be an active spotter at all times.
• Offer support to all group members both physically (spotting) and emotionally (supporting and contributing.)
• Be aware of the strength and body size of all group members, and agree not to have members lifting, supporting, or being supported in a manner in which they are not comfortable.
• Commit to spotting all members of the group who are off the ground, including those who are on the beam.
• Participants agree that all movements (up to and down from the beam) must be controlled and physically supported by other team members.
• Agree to remain alert for the prospect of kicking or moving feet when participants are climbing onto and off the beam.
• The climbing participant will only commence their ascent (or descent) after all safety and check-in protocols have been performed.

There is no particular group size for this event. Naturally, the size of your group will influence the length of the activity as well as the number of people actively involved. Anywhere from 6 to 15 people is ideal.

Often, this challenge is presented as a timed event. That said, do not excuse poor planning and overly-rigorous moves to achieve a world’s record, lest someone gets hurt.

Do you wonder why jumping from the top of the beam is not permitted? Research indicates that one of the most prevalent injuries incurred on this activity is rolled ankles sustained by those who jump from heights.

May I just reinforce the advice in regards to remaining alert for the presence of kicking feet as people attempt to climb over or down from the beam? These feet are often dangling at the eye-height of spotters and, therefore, are ideally situated to cause a lot of surprising harm.

You could integrate The Beam as part of a well-designed SEL program to help your group make caring and constructive choices about personal behaviour and social interactions across different situations.

Specifically, this activity offers ample opportunities to explore and practice the following social & interpersonal skills:

Self-Awareness

• Recognising Strengths, Prejudices & Biases
• Demonstrating Self-Confidence, Honesty & Integrity
• Experiencing Self-Efficacy
• Having A Growth Mindset

Self-Management

• Identifying & Managing Stress
• Demonstrating Self-Discipline & Self-Motivation
• Setting Personal & Group Goals
• Taking Initiative
• Use Planning & Organisational Skills

Social Awareness

• Taking Other’s Perspectives
• Demonstrating Empathy & Compassion
• Understanding & Expressing Gratitude
• Appreciating Diversity
• Recognising Strengths In Others
• Respecting Others

Relationship Skills

• Communicate & Listen Effectively
• Seeking and/or Offering Support
• Build Positive Relationships
• Work Collaboratively
• Showing Leadership
• Resolving Conflict Constructively

Responsible Decision-Making

• Demonstrating Curiosity & Open-Mindedness
• Identifying Problems
• Making Reasoned Judgements
• Identifying Solutions
• Anticipating & Evaluating the Consequences of One’s Actions
• Promoting Personal & Collective Well-Being

You can learn more about SEL and how it can support character education here.

Behavioural Norms

The dynamics of this simple, yet not easy group initiative will invite your group to interact and engage with each other in a manner that would necessarily speak to the benefits of having developed a set of supportive and healthy behavioural norms in advance. Or, if not, you could focus on any less-than-desired interactions or outcomes to explore what sorts of behaviours your group would prefer to see and commit to in the future.

For example, in addition to those described in the Reflection Tips tab, you could invite your group to reflect on the following questions to explore a variety of full value behaviours such as:

• How did the group demonstrate its ability to care for self and others?
• Generally speaking, how did the group make decisions? How were all members involved?
• Describe your group’s goal-setting process?
• What types of leadership were demonstrated during the exercise? Were they effective?
• Was adaptability a key component of the group’s success? How?
• Were there moments of safety that concerned you? Why?
• Did you observe any emotional or social cues during the exercise? If yes, what did you do with this information?

• Off-Side Rule: Your group starts on one side of the beam and no one is permitted to physically assist others on the other side until they have passed over the beam themselves. For safety purposes, you may permit spotters from any side to assist on the other but they are not entitled to physically assist the person being passed.
• Rope Assist: If you perceive that some members of your group may have difficulty with height or arm strength, allow a rope to be used for the first, last or all participants.
• Immobile Limb: Introduce the handicap of an immobilised limb to simulate a broken arm, leg, etc, for one or more of your group members, ie these appendages can not be used at any time.
• Can’t Hear You: Challenge your group to complete the task non-verbally.
• Individual Challenge: Invite one person, supported only by spotters (no lifting or other assistance,) to climb over the beam on their own. It looks easier than it is.
• Take a look at The Wall for a similar team-based challenge.
• Take a look at One Line Electric Fence for a lower, yet tougher scaling challenge.

Perhaps you’ve watched army and commando training videos where the officers in training are led through a series of very difficult and physical challenges, such as scaling a tall wall or a beam. Well, guess what…?

When you stand here looking up at this wooden beam suspended between these two trees, I am certain you have already figured out what is about to happen…

Our next exercise will present you with two very different challenges. One will be the task itself, and the other will be the process by which your group chooses to solve it. Task and process, I wonder which dimension will feature more prominently in your minds…

Coupled with one or more reflection strategies, here are some sample questions you could use to process your group’s experience after leading this challenging group initiative:

• What were the most difficult challenges of this task?
• Where and when did you feel the least and most comfortable? Why?
• How did your group manage these challenges? Were you successful?
• What types of support were offered during the exercise?
• Are these forms of support demonstrated in other areas of your group’s experience?
• What is an example of a challenge you or your group have overcome?
• What strengths did you call on to help you succeed?