Activity Guide
The Meuse
Item #18323
• Overview.
• FlagHouse and Project Adventure have partnered together to
create this unique and exciting cooperative challenge activity.
We’re confident that your participants will have a blast with this
exciting game!
• The Meuse is a creative and challenging activity that has
participants determining the best way to traverse the river
using only the planks and blocks provided. Think it through,
then try it… then think it again! The planks are moveable, but
“island” blocks must stay in their permanent position. If any
player or plank touches the ground, the whole team starts again.
• This activity challenges your teamwork, physical skills, and your thinking process as you attempt to move
your whole team from one side of the Meuse Swamp safely to the other side. It is not always whether you
finish crossing the Meuse, but rather what was the process and how did you work to solve the problem that
becomes the educational value.
• Includes eight 4”H foam blocks and four 4’L x 4”W wooden planks. Supports users up to 200 lbs.
• WhatAretheEducationalApplications?
• This activity is a small group challenge that fosters teamwork and group thinking.
• To travel the Meuse, the group must combine their physical skills with group problem solving and cooperation
skills.
• The post activity debriefing is an important part of the learning process.
• HowCanIUseThisProductWithMyStudents?
• Where: On a safe, flat area.
• Age: Students in Grades 4 through 10.
• GroupSize:6 to 12
• BasicSkillsNeeded: Teamwork, cooperative skills, balance.
• SetUp/Instructions:Before the team arrives, use the diagram below for setting up the swamp area and the
islands. The placement of the islands is the key to this initiative and its success. The narrative is very important to
setting the scene and the challenge.
Starting Area
Plank will touch Plank will
touch
Plank
Plank will will
not reach not
touch
Finishing Area
FlagHouse Activity Guides - http://www.FlagHouse.com/ActivityGuides
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TheGames/Activities
• Activity#1:CrossingtheMeuse
a. Objective: To have the whole team safely cross the Meuse and get to the other side.
b. NASPE Standards: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
c. How to Play:
• When the team is set and ready to hear instructions, read them the Meuse Story challenge directly from
the sheet. Once the challenge is read, the time will start. No questions will be answered.
• The Story of the Meuse: Your team has arrived at the River Meuse and Swamp. It is filled with flesh-eating
piranha fish whose existence depends on the availability of food crossing the river. They must eat every
15* minutes and will devour everything in and on the river. That gives you 15 minutes to safely cross the
river and get your whole team to the other side. If anyone touches the water or a prop touches the water
you must ALL start again and you lose one minute of your precious time. Teamwork and process is as
important to your success as your physical skills. *The Facilitator/Teacher determines the time allotted
based on the skill level of the group. Fifteen minutes is a good average base time frame.
d. Extensions:
• Allow a question or two to help the group.
• Give a hint such as, “Who is leading?” or “Does anyone have another idea?”
• Use four planks to make the challenge easier.
• To change the thinking process, make the first two rows of island reachable by diagonal planks, but not
the last row.
• Post-ActivityDiscussionQuestions
a. How well did your team do?
b. Were you able to determine a strategy that would help you get across the river?
c. How did you develop the solution/strategy? Was it one person’s idea?
d. Were you a “leader” or “follower” in this activity?
• SafetyIssues&Concerns
• Make sure the area is safe and free of items so that if the participants fall they will not get injured.
• Balance is a key issue in the Meuse. Students with balance challenges may need help or support.
• Moving the “planks” can be a safety issue.
MeetsTheseNASPEStandards
1. Demonstrates competency in motor skills and movement patterns needed to perform a variety of physical
activities.
2. Demonstrates understanding of movement concepts, principles, strategies, and tactics as they apply to the
learning and performance of physical activities.
3. Participates regularly in physical activity.
4. Achieves and maintains a health-enhancing level of physical fitness.
5. Exhibits responsible personal and social behavior that respects self and others in physical activity settings.
6. Values physical activity for health, enjoyment, challenge, self-expression, and/or social interaction.
Used by permission, Project Adventure, Inc. Cowstails & Cobras II: A Guide to Games, Initiatives, Ropes Courses, & Adventure
Curriculum, Karl Rohnke.
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Please direct your questions or concerns regarding this product to the appropriate office listed below between the hours of 8AM-6PM Eastern Time
IntheUS: FlagHouse, 601 FlagHouse Drive, Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey 07604-3116 Phone 800.793.7900 201.288.7600 Fax 800.793.7922
InCanada: FlagHouse Canada, 235 Yorkland Blvd., Suite 105, North York, Ontario M2J 4Y8 Phone 800.265.6900 416.495.8262 Fax 800.265.6922
InternationalCustomers: FlagHouse, 601 FlagHouse Drive, Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey, 07604-3116 USA Phone 201.288.7600
Fax 201.288.7887
FlagHouse Activity Guides - http://www.FlagHouse.com/ActivityGuides
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