Flungee
Teams catapult a rubber chicken from an anchored bungee cord toward designated field targets. Participants calibrate draw tension, launch elevation, and release mechanics across successive trials.
Choose this exercise
Purpose: Test mechanical adjustments and iterative planning through repeated launch trials toward visible targets.
Use it when: Use in an open outdoor area or large gymnasium with sturdy anchor posts when a group needs an active trial-and-error challenge.
Skip it when: Skip when you lack an open flight corridor, when immovable anchor points are unavailable, or when physical outdoor activity disrupts adjacent sessions.
Group arrangement: Up to 3 teams of 4 to 8 taking turns. In calibration, each team completes 1 launch cycle before the next team. In the target challenge, each team completes 2 back-to-back launch cycles.
Timing: Source indicates 15 to 20 minutes for small groups. Expanded to 30 minutes for groups up to 24 to allow safe launch cycles, measurement, and debrief.
Materials and tools
- 2 sturdy anchor points (such as steel ground posts or thick mature trees)
- 1 heavy-duty bungee cord (5 to 10 meters long) with secure attachment straps or carabiners
- 2 standard rubber chickens (or soft rubber projectiles)
- 6 field boundary cones
- 1 target cone (distinct color or shape from boundary cones)
- 1 whistle for safety control
- 1 clipboard, pen, and blank paper score sheet (or printed template)
Before participants arrive
- Substantial advance setup is required outside run time.
- Inspect the 2 anchor points to confirm they are completely immovable.
- Securely anchor the bungee cord between the two anchor points at waist height.
- Mark a 25-meter clear landing corridor directly in front of the cord using 4 boundary cones.
- Mark a launch box behind the cord using 2 boundary cones.
- Place the 1 target cone in the corridor at 12 meters.
Say this to open
Welcome to Flungee. We have a giant slingshot cord anchored between two posts. Each team will launch a rubber chicken toward our target markers. Safety is non-negotiable: nobody enters the corridor while the cord has tension, and launches happen only after the range whistle blows. Let us walk through team roles and run a test flight.
How to run it
Demonstrate launch mechanics and safety 4 minutes
Assemble everyone behind the launch line. Deliver the opening script. Demonstrate loading the chicken at cord midpoint, drawing straight back into the launch box, and releasing cleanly. Explain whistle signals: 1 blast means clear to launch, 2 blasts means immediate all-stop, and 3 blasts means safe to retrieve.
Assign team positions 3 minutes
Divide participants into up to 3 teams of 4 to 8. Each team assigns roles: Launcher, Cord Loader, Angle Guide, Distance Caller, Retriever, and Scorekeeper. Teams of 4 or 5 combine roles (Angle Guide with Distance Caller; Retriever with Scorekeeper). Teams of 6 assign all roles distinctly. Teams of 7 or 8 assign extra members as launch spotters who assist the Angle Guide and Loader.
Run calibration round 6 minutes
Each team takes 1 calibration launch in sequence. Team 1 loads, clears the range, launches on whistle, records distance, and retrieves projectile. Teams 2 and 3 follow in order while non-active teams observe and plan.
Execute target challenge 12 minutes
Run the scored round aiming at the 12-meter target cone. Each team executes a block of 2 consecutive launches before the next team steps up. Teams swap launchers between attempts. The Distance Caller and Scorekeeper log the distance from the target cone after each shot.
Debrief and pack down 5 minutes
Gather the group behind the safety line with no tension on the cord. Invite 3 to 4 team representatives to share answers to the debrief questions. Release tension and pack down equipment.
Debrief questions
- Which specific mechanical adjustment created the greatest improvement between your initial attempt and later launches?
- How did your team translate observations from the landing zone back into clear adjustments for the launcher?
- Where did your initial assumptions about cord tension or launch angle fail?
Finished output: A completed team score sheet recording landing distances and target proximity across trials.
Remote
This activity requires physical tension cords and an outdoor field. It cannot be run online. For a remote team, run a separate digital physics or trajectory simulation challenge instead.
Hybrid
Hybrid operation is not supported. The physical cord manipulation, flight safety line, and outdoor depth perception require all participants to be present on site.
Access and participation choices
- Non-strenuous roles such as Angle Guide, Scorekeeper, and Distance Caller allow full operational participation without physical strain.
- Anyone may opt out of physical cord pulling and observe behind the launch boundary without giving a reason.
If the session gets stuck
- The chicken flies erratically or slips sideways out of the cord.
- Ensure the Cord Loader seats the cord securely under the wings or neck fold and instruct the Launcher to pull straight backward without twisting the cord.
- Participants wander into the flight corridor before the retrieval signal.
- Sound 2 blasts on the safety whistle immediately to pause all activity. Remind everyone that only designated Retrievers enter the corridor, and only after 3 whistle blasts.
Terms used here
- Launch Corridor: The cleared 25-meter field space directly in front of the bungee cord where projectiles land.
- Launch Box: The marked safety area behind the anchor line where tension is drawn.
Flungee Score Sheet
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Help me prepare and run the exercise below. First ask for my participant count, time, setting, access needs and intended result. Check these against the stated limits. Use the supplied rules and materials. Explain any proposed changes before using them, and label them as adaptations. Do not invent source claims or require personal disclosure. Give me one step at a time when I say start. I manage the people, physical activity and clock; do not claim to observe the room. Ask me what happened before choosing a next step. Reference revision: 49f663e71787d07b2ad3892a70aca65490d5414662beaec3f0ed82342d7a3c5a # Flungee Teams catapult a rubber chicken from an anchored bungee cord toward designated field targets. Participants calibrate draw tension, launch elevation, and release mechanics across successive trials. **Time:** 30 minutes. Source indicates 15 to 20 minutes for small groups. Expanded to 30 minutes for groups up to 24 to allow safe launch cycles, measurement, and debrief. **People:** 4 to 24. Up to 3 teams of 4 to 8 taking turns. In calibration, each team completes 1 launch cycle before the next team. In the target challenge, each team completes 2 back-to-back launch cycles. ## Choose this exercise **Purpose:** Test mechanical adjustments and iterative planning through repeated launch trials toward visible targets. **Use it when:** Use in an open outdoor area or large gymnasium with sturdy anchor posts when a group needs an active trial-and-error challenge. **Skip it when:** Skip when you lack an open flight corridor, when immovable anchor points are unavailable, or when physical outdoor activity disrupts adjacent sessions. ## Materials and tools - 2 sturdy anchor points (such as steel ground posts or thick mature trees) - 1 heavy-duty bungee cord (5 to 10 meters long) with secure attachment straps or carabiners - 2 standard rubber chickens (or soft rubber projectiles) - 6 field boundary cones - 1 target cone (distinct color or shape from boundary cones) - 1 whistle for safety control - 1 clipboard, pen, and blank paper score sheet (or printed template) ## Before participants arrive 1. Substantial advance setup is required outside run time. 2. Inspect the 2 anchor points to confirm they are completely immovable. 3. Securely anchor the bungee cord between the two anchor points at waist height. 4. Mark a 25-meter clear landing corridor directly in front of the cord using 4 boundary cones. 5. Mark a launch box behind the cord using 2 boundary cones. 6. Place the 1 target cone in the corridor at 12 meters. ## Say this to open Welcome to Flungee. We have a giant slingshot cord anchored between two posts. Each team will launch a rubber chicken toward our target markers. Safety is non-negotiable: nobody enters the corridor while the cord has tension, and launches happen only after the range whistle blows. Let us walk through team roles and run a test flight. ## How to run it ### 1. Demonstrate launch mechanics and safety (4 minutes) Assemble everyone behind the launch line. Deliver the opening script. Demonstrate loading the chicken at cord midpoint, drawing straight back into the launch box, and releasing cleanly. Explain whistle signals: 1 blast means clear to launch, 2 blasts means immediate all-stop, and 3 blasts means safe to retrieve. ### 2. Assign team positions (3 minutes) Divide participants into up to 3 teams of 4 to 8. Each team assigns roles: Launcher, Cord Loader, Angle Guide, Distance Caller, Retriever, and Scorekeeper. Teams of 4 or 5 combine roles (Angle Guide with Distance Caller; Retriever with Scorekeeper). Teams of 6 assign all roles distinctly. Teams of 7 or 8 assign extra members as launch spotters who assist the Angle Guide and Loader. ### 3. Run calibration round (6 minutes) Each team takes 1 calibration launch in sequence. Team 1 loads, clears the range, launches on whistle, records distance, and retrieves projectile. Teams 2 and 3 follow in order while non-active teams observe and plan. ### 4. Execute target challenge (12 minutes) Run the scored round aiming at the 12-meter target cone. Each team executes a block of 2 consecutive launches before the next team steps up. Teams swap launchers between attempts. The Distance Caller and Scorekeeper log the distance from the target cone after each shot. ### 5. Debrief and pack down (5 minutes) Gather the group behind the safety line with no tension on the cord. Invite 3 to 4 team representatives to share answers to the debrief questions. Release tension and pack down equipment. ## Debrief questions - Which specific mechanical adjustment created the greatest improvement between your initial attempt and later launches? - How did your team translate observations from the landing zone back into clear adjustments for the launcher? - Where did your initial assumptions about cord tension or launch angle fail? **Finished output:** A completed team score sheet recording landing distances and target proximity across trials. ## Remote This activity requires physical tension cords and an outdoor field. It cannot be run online. For a remote team, run a separate digital physics or trajectory simulation challenge instead. ## Hybrid Hybrid operation is not supported. The physical cord manipulation, flight safety line, and outdoor depth perception require all participants to be present on site. ## Access and participation choices - Non-strenuous roles such as Angle Guide, Scorekeeper, and Distance Caller allow full operational participation without physical strain. - Anyone may opt out of physical cord pulling and observe behind the launch boundary without giving a reason. ## If the session gets stuck **The chicken flies erratically or slips sideways out of the cord.** Ensure the Cord Loader seats the cord securely under the wings or neck fold and instruct the Launcher to pull straight backward without twisting the cord. **Participants wander into the flight corridor before the retrieval signal.** Sound 2 blasts on the safety whistle immediately to pause all activity. Remind everyone that only designated Retrievers enter the corridor, and only after 3 whistle blasts. ## Terms used here - Launch Corridor: The cleared 25-meter field space directly in front of the bungee cord where projectiles land. - Launch Box: The marked safety area behind the anchor line where tension is drawn. ## Participant material: Flungee Score Sheet Team Name: ____________________ Target Distance: 12 meters Calibration Launch: Estimated Distance: ______ m | Notes: __________________________ Challenge Launch 1: Distance to Target Cone (+/-): ______ m | Notes: __________________________ Challenge Launch 2: Distance to Target Cone (+/-): ______ m | Notes: __________________________ Final Best Distance to Target: ______ m ## Sources and adaptation Observed in Playmeo activity database, attributed to Mark Collard. Retained the Playmeo mechanic of launching rubber chickens from an anchored bungee cord toward outdoor targets. Standardized structured roles, safety whistle signals, role assignments across different team sizes, and scheduled launch blocks with a full group debrief. [Playmeo](https://www.playmeo.com/activities/fun-large-group-games/flungee) [Playmeo](https://www.playmeo.com/activities/fun-large-group-games/flungee/) Current run sheet: https://unitedwetransform.com/exercises/fun-outdoor-group-game-for-team-challenges-flungee/
Sources and adaptation
Observed in Playmeo activity database, attributed to Mark Collard.
Retained the Playmeo mechanic of launching rubber chickens from an anchored bungee cord toward outdoor targets. Standardized structured roles, safety whistle signals, role assignments across different team sizes, and scheduled launch blocks with a full group debrief.
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