Day 1
Mentors Only
*Note: The facilitator will run all discussions and activities below, but remembering to guide the athletes into their own discussions and not take over.
Introductions- 10 minutes- Begin by doing a brief introduction of what the goal of this program is, how it will be implemented and why we are doing this.
Circle activity- Have everyone sit in a circle. Each person must:
a. introduce themselves
b. share something fun that they did this summer
c. share something that they are looking forward to this season
Why are you here activity? - Hand out post-it notes and writing utensils and have each runner:
a. Write as many reasons why they choose to run cross-country.
b. Post all of their responses on the wall in a collage so that everyone can see what they have written
c. Briefly go up and discuss what some of them say and make some comments
Mentoring discussions- One of the imperative activities that must happen in order to create good mentors, is that they need to determine what basic skills are involved in being a good mentor. Most people understand what this entails, so open, Socratic style, discussions are necessary for the athletes to create their own set of guidelines. By creating their own guidelines for what it means to be a good mentor internalizes their roles and makes it their own.
I will divide the team into groups of 5 or so people. Each group will be given a book of post-it notes and some writing utensils. They will be given some guiding questions to get their thoughts out.
Guiding Questions
- Using only one word per post-it note, write down words that come to mind when you hear the word mentor
Have the students place their post-it notes up on the wall. After all of the responses are on the wall, work together to try to organize them into common themes. We will then look at them and discuss what makes a good mentor. We will narrow it down to several characteristics and discuss what examples of each are. These will be written down on large poster board.
We will then discuss what it means to be a good mentee and repeat the same process.
- Using only one word per post-it note, write down words that come to mind when you hear the word mentee
Feel free to share the research that was done on mentor and mentee relationships and explain the rules that the coach has created for what it means to be a good mentor and a good mentee.
Creating team rules- In this discussion athletes will discuss what team rules they feel are necessary to be successful. It is important to let the team create their own rules because it allows them to take ownership of the expectations throughout the season.
a. The facilitator will write the athletes responses on a poster paper
b. Team rules will be discussed
c. When completed, the coach will explain the three main rules that he has implemented for the team in addition to what the team comes up with
End Day 1- Wrap up any discussions that the team may have. Let them know that the mentees will be doing the same types of activities tomorrow and then we will all get together for the day 3 activities. Feel free at this time to add any words of encouragement.
Day 2
Mentees Only
Note: The facilitator will run all discussions and activities below, remembering to guide the athletes into their own discussions and not take over. Today involves the mentees only so there may be more guidance needed to engage them in discussion.
Introductions- 10 minutes- Begin by doing a brief introduction of what the goal of this program is, how it will be implemented and why we are doing this.
Circle activity- Have everyone sit in a circle. Each person must:
a. introduce themselves
b. share something fun that they did this summer
c. share something that they are looking forward to this season
Why are you here activity? - Hand out post-it notes and writing utensils and have each runner:
a. Write as many reasons as to why they choose to run cross-country.
b. Post all of their responses on the wall in a collage so that everyone can see what they have written
c. Briefly go up and discuss what some of them say and make some comments
Mentoring discussions- One of the imperative activities that must happen in order to create good mentors, is that they need to determine what basic skills are involved in being a good mentor. Most people understand what this entails, so open, Socratic style, discussions are necessary for the athletes to create their own set of guidelines. By creating their own guidelines for what it means to be a good mentor internalizes their roles and makes it their own.
I will divide the team into groups of 5 or so people. Each group will be given a book of post-it notes and some writing utensils. They will be given some guiding questions to get their thoughts out.
Guiding Questions
- Using only one word per post-it note, write down words that come to mind when you hear the word mentor
Have the students place their post-it notes up on the wall. After all of the responses are on the wall, work together to try to organize them into common themes. We will then look at them and discuss what makes a good mentor. We will narrow it down to several characteristics and discuss what examples of each are. These will be written down on large poster board.
We will then discuss what it means to be a good mentee and repeat the same process.
- Using only one word per post-it note, write down words that come to mind when you hear the word mentee
Feel free to share the research that was done on mentor and mentee relationships and explain the rules that the coach has created for what it means to be a good mentor and a good mentee.
Creating team rules- In this discussion athletes will discuss what team rules they feel are necessary to be successful. It is important to let the team create their own rules because it allows them to take ownership of the expectations throughout the season.
a. The facilitator will write the athletes responses on a poster paper
b. Team rules will be discussed
c. When completed, the coach will explain the three main rules that he has implemented for the team
End Day 2- Wrap up any discussions that the team may have. Let them know that the mentors did the same types of activities and then we will all get together for the day 3 activities. Feel free at this time to add any words of encouragement.
Day 3
Mentors and Mentees
Introductions- 10 minutes- Begin by doing a brief introduction of what we are going to be doing today and the goal.
Get to know you activity- During this time have the students sit in a circle and introduce themselves yet again. This time have them say something fun that this did this summer and something about themselves that most people would not know just by meeting them. Examples: favorite ice cream flavors, a secret talent, favorite movie etc.
Team Building Activities- 60-120 minutes- Introduce each of the team building activities before implementing each one. (See the team building Activities Page for a brief explanation of each. Click on the link to give a better, more detailed explanation).
Adjust your activities to fit your needs. If you have new or different activities that you would like to implement and execute, feel free to do so.
End Day 3- Feel free at this time to add any words of encouragement. At this time, it is important to stress and go over the team values and expectations that each group had determined together, as well as what the coach has created. Stress the importance of teamwork and community. Share the website with the team. Read the quotes. Get them excited about the season.