Common Ground brings Challenge Discovery’s innovative team-building and leadership development programs to groups of young people, from 3rd grade through college, on their home turf: schools, universities, camps, churches or sports teams. Common Ground uses hands on opportunities to develop social and emotional skills through fun and purposeful activities, at your school, or location of choice. This experience promotes diversity, respect, empathy, and building meaningful relationships. Using Social and Emotional Learning, we deliver outcomes that support the character growth of students.
Social and emotional learning is a framework that, when adopted by schools, communities and more, can help deliver the crucial social and emotional skills that students need to develop while in school. We can compliment this character development, and support students’ social and emotional growth. CASEL, an organization that has compiled the research and resources for students, parents and teachers alike, have put forth a framework that details five important competencies and skills for students to develop. Common Ground focuses on two of these competencies: Social Awareness and Relationship Skills.
Using the SEL framework and our nearly 40 years of experience, we have developed the Common Ground program to help individuals practice the social and emotional skills necessary to thrive in the school climate and beyond. This purposeful program uses activities to bring about conversation and reflection around being socially aware and building meaningful relationships. Facilitators come to your location to lead the program, bringing all equipment with them. The only thing you need to provide is a space at least 35 by 50 feet (or larger, depending on group size). Common Ground programs are designed for groups of 10 to 120, and take 1-2 hours. Each program costs $20 per person, with a minimum charge of $300.
We offer three varieties of Common Ground programs, all based on experiential, hands-on learning. Each program incorporates social and emotional skills, that especially focus on interpersonal interactions.
1. Common Ground – Social and Emotional Framework
This is the tried and true approach to allowing students to experience one another through activity. In this program we will incorporate the SEL framework (see above), focusing strongly on Social Awareness and Relationship Skills. Students will work in different size groups, from partners to full groups, to learn about one another, solve challenges, and reflect on their experiences together.
2. Common Ground – Custom Goals/School Values
Want to take a more personalized approach, but still allow us to use our years of experience to help? We can customize our program to incorporate your school or group values. We specialize in integrating new groups. Whether it is the beginning of the school year for your class of students, or the start of the season for your student athletes, we can personalize our language to support the group’s development.
3. Teaming the Teachers
We want to help teachers unite to support their students. We work with groups such as departments of teachers, or bring programs to full staff retreats. If you think it is time to get a fresh start with your teams of teachers, let us bring our specialized program to your school. We will use our hands-on interactive approach to build relationships, break down barriers, and build school spirit for your team of teachers.
“This program worked really well for us and was a very cost-effective way for us to work with your team. The students really enjoyed the program and they returned from the program energized and with a stronger bond than when they started.”
— Lauren Braun, VCU Orientation Leader
“I think they definitely benefitted from the session. My team went on to win the tournament last weekend and it was a true team effort. Thanks for the great work you did with them! I can’t help but assume your program helped them finish the season as one cohesive unit. Thank you!”
— Heather Quinn, Blackhawks Lacrosse
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