Ships and Sails

Tell all participants to stand in the middle of the room facing the leader who is in the front of the room.

Explain that all participants are sailors and they are all on a ship. The Captain (designated leader) will give a series of orders. Any sailor who cannot complete the order correctly in a timely manner is out and must sit down on the side.

The orders and their explanations are as follows: (Have a few retreat team members demonstrate.)

1. Go West: All must run (walk) to their right.

2. Go East: All must run (walk) to their left.

3. Hit the Deck: All must quickly lie on their stomach.

4. Captains Waiting: Sailors must not move for any reason until they hear the order “At Ease.” The captain may bark out several orders before saying “At Ease.”

5. Man Over Board: Sailors must fine a partner. One sailor is to get down on fours, hands and knees. The other sailor is to place one foot on the back of his or her partner and place his or her right hand over his or her brow to block the sun so that he or she can look for the man overboard.

6. Three Men Eating: Sailors are to form groups of three and sit down in a circle. Next they are to cup as if to hold a plate and scoop with the other hand quickly as if to feed themselves.

7. Four Men Rowing: Sailors are to form groups of four and sit in a row on the floor. They are to swing their arms as if they are rowing.

Shark Attack: Explain that all retreat team members are sharks and they have jumped onto the deck to attack the sailors. Sailors are to run away to a safe place. Designate all chairs or the wall as the safe place. If a shark touches a sailor before he or she reaches a safe place then the sailor is out.