Description

An essential component is the building of the tree house together. Here, participants are challenged and encouraged in their different gifts and abilities since there are many different tasks to complete. Planning, coordinating, tree climbing, making knots, moving logs and nailing planks offer everyone the opportunity to get involved based on their personal limits (e.g. fear of heights).

For the construction of the tree house it is crucial to decide on a suitable concept. For example, fixed teams can be formed, each building a platform. Here the efficiency is the focus and results can be generated quickly. Alternatively, the participants can decide which construction sites they want to work on according to the "pleasure principle". Here the group process is more in focus. The participants have to organize themselves a lot more and negotiate who will do which tasks.

Another important point is not to overburden the participants. In a treehouse camp, the construction of the treehouse is the main focus, but this will also push the participants to their physical limits. Therefore, free time or even days should be scheduled at regular intervals to allow for regeneration. On such days or at such times the construction site will be closed, and other recreational activities will take place. Such activities could be a day at the outdoor pool, or a hike (possibly with the local forester).

Methods

The tasks to be completed are distributed throughout the group in a meeting. Here it is important that the participants voluntarily agree to complete them. Leaders should steer the group and support the process without giving many instructions. Targeted reflection can be helpful in certain situations. Leaders should also keep the overall process in mind and plan for future tasks.

Impact

The participants will experience that together they are able to build a complete tree house. In the different steps of the work they can work on their personal limits and competences. Participants will reach their limits and have to learn to deal with them. It is important that they are encouraged to accept their personal limits, but also the limits of others. An "I can't do any more" can be more courageous than an "I'm going on".

During the planning process it is important that the participants learn that each individual is important and needed. This promotes self-confidence and increases the willingness to take responsibility. Open and free planning communication encourages creative thinking and puts the focus on possibilities instead of obstacles.

Tree climbing is about coming to terms with one's own fears and to go beyond one's own limits within appropriate limits.

Communication and teamwork is required when tying knots, as these (with the main beams) are always done in pairs. In addition, despite a stressful situation, it is necessary to work precisely and accurately.

A high degree of communication is required when moving and especially when lifting the main beams. Here, individual participants can test their organizing and coordinating skills.

Throughout the construction process it is important that the participants develop a culture of safety that is conducive to the process of building and the community. Few, clear rules that everyone has to follow are more helpful than a long list of detailed restrictions. Rules should be discussed and reflected upon with everyone so that they are accepted by all. Here participants automatically take responsibility for themselves and the group. Mutual admonition and control (buddy check) is expressly desired.

Contact

CVJM-Akademie gGmbH
Institut für Erlebnispädagogik
Im Dru­sel­tal 8
34131 Kassel

Tele­fon: + 49 (0) 561 30 87–506
Fax: +49 (0) 561 30 87–501
E-Mail: infosk-spamprotection@institut-ep.de

Funded by Erasmus+ "Youth in Action"

The website and the content was developed in the project "Treehouse Camps - a Method to Strengthen Key Competences and Integration in Youth Work".

Project duration: September 2018 - August 2021

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