Facilitation Technique Category: Leisure Education

Activity Title: Gamin

Source: Dixon, C. C., & Robinson, M. (2000, September 30). Leisure education protocols and
ideas. Retrieved November 3, 2016, from Recreation Therapy,
http://www.recreationtherapy.com/tx/txleisureeducation.htm
Equipment: Sport equipment or anything you choose
Activity Description: The purpose of Gamin is to encourage creativity, communication, and
teamwork. This activity can be done by 2 or more people. The TR should divide the participants
into two groups and have them pick out one sports equipment or object that interest them. Once
each member has an object the group has 20 minutes to make up a game, give it a name, and
decide what the rules are. The groups must use all the equipment that were selected. The TR can
have the participants teach the other group about their game. (Dixon & Robinson, 2000)
Leadership considerations: The CTRS acts as a facilitator and allows the participants to choose
their own object without letting them know why. This allows the teams to think on the spot and
be creative. The TR needs to be aware and have knowledge of what leisure is and the best ways
to teach it. Some of the objects that the TR puts out should be items that dont even relate to
sports. Examples are sticks, bowls, cans, etc. Some discussion questions can include: -Did you
think it was possible to come up with an activity using all the equipment you chose? Did you
expect to have fun do this? Do you think the group worked well together? What role did you
play? Would you play this with your friends?
Adaptations: Participants with substance abuse: The purpose of using this activity is to
promote sober fun and to get the participants to see that they do not need to depend on the
substance to have fun. Adaptations that can be made to the activity is starting it off by explaining
what leisure is and how important it is. Additional discussion questions that can be added: -Do
you think you would have been able to come up with these ideas if you were under the
influence? -Do you think your addiction would affect how effectively you complete your game?
(Recreational therapy, 2016)
Participants with depression: In order to understand the antidepressant effects of exercise,
Craft (2005) examined the effects of exercise (moderate intensity exercise program three times a
week) on coping self-efficacy and depression. (Hutchinson & Brooks, 2011) This activity can
be incorporated into an existing session to promote more communication and leisure activity.
The adaptation can be to perform this activity outside so that there is a different scenery.
Adaptations References
Hutchinson, S. L., & Brooks, E. (2011, June 01). Physical Activity, Recreation, Leisure, and
Sport: Essential Pieces of the Mental Health and Well -being Puzzle [PDF].
http://www.recreationns.ns.ca/wp-content/uploadhere/2012/05/MentalHealthLit.pdf
Recreational therapy. (2016). Retrieved November 3, 2016, from Twelve Oaks Recovery Center,
http://www.twelveoaksrecovery.com/admissions/integrative-therapies/recreational-therapy/