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Kansas 4-H Tip Sheet

August 14, 2017

4-H Big Black Bag Workshop Registration Open

Submitted by Deryl Waldren

Join us for the Northwest 4-H Big Black Bag Workshop at the KSU Agricultural Research Center in Hays on August 25-26th.  What is the Big Black Bag Workshop?  BBB teaches portable challenge skills in a fun and engaging way using five big black bags that you can take anywhere.  All your “tools” needed are in a black canvas bag.

In this workshop you will receive an introduction to the BBB, learn lots of group builders and the principles of portable challenge, along with great facilitation tips.  You’ll experience the Full Value Contract as well as the importance of name games and silly name games.

Basic portable challenge skills can be used once the group has met and become familiar with each other.  Initiatives are effective in building many skills in your group, including trust, support, goal setting, problem solving, leadership, communication skills, getting acquainted better, group dynamics, physical development and team building.

What’s in the Big Black Bags? To the outsider they look like they are filled with toys, but they’re much more than that.

  • Bag #1 – especially designed to focus on getting to know each other, fun name games and cooperation.
  • Bag #2 – Trolley – learn how to walk and work together as a team
  • Bag #3 – Spider Web – learn how to work together to get through holes in a flexible wall.
  • Bag #4 – Human Ladder lets your group work together climbing a human-held ladder.
  • Bag #5 - TP Shuffle, Mohawk Walk and other challenges force your team members to trust and rely upon each other to succeed.

This workshop is open to youth 7th grade and older and adult sponsors, KSRE staff and volunteers.  The workshop focuses on Team Building, Problem Solving, Communication, Group Builders, Facilitation Training Tips, “Make It & Take It”, and Networking that will help build your team.

The workshop begins Friday, August 25th, and runs from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. and again on Saturday, August 26th from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.   The cost of the registration includes facilitation training by Bryan K. Chadd, retired 4-H Agent, Maricopa County Extension, Phoenix, AZ and Deryl Waldren, NW Area 4-H Specialist, Colby, KS,  Make It and Take It” activity, meals and snacks.  Friday’s workshop will focus on the Big Black Bags #2, #3, #4, & #5, and Saturday Focus will be on the Big Black Bag #1.

  • Cost for KSRE Extension Staff, 4-H Members and 4-H Volunteers:

            One Day - $40; Two Days - $75                 

  • Non-Extension Related Participants:

            One Day - $55; Two Days - $105

  • School Teams: (4 youth, 1 sponsor)

            One Day - $150; Additional Students - $35 each

Make checks payable to KSU, and mail to:  NW Research-Extension Center, ATTN:  Deryl Waldren, P. O. Box 786, Colby, KS 67701; Telephone – 785-462-6281; FAX- 785-462-2315; dwaldren@ksu.edu. The deadline to register is August 18, 2017.  You may also register on-line by visiting:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeyYItW1Bug7irB5pnJhQQjypcBE-2-1SZ05j3vdAcXk8bayQ/viewform.  However, you must still mail your check by hand, and return a Kansas 4-H Participation form for each participant attending.  Visit:  http://www.kansas4-h.org/p.aspx?tabid=470.

This event is sponsored by K-State Research and Extension, the Northwest 4-H Advisory Committee, and through a grant from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation, Logan, KS.  For more information, contact Deryl Waldren, 785-462-6281; or e-mail him at dwaldren@ksu.edu.