Game Nights

Objectives

• Build community
• Interpersonal bonding
• Hanging out and spending time together
• Encouraging team work
• Mix residents with people they don't usually spend time with

Summary
Game night is an awesome way to encourage residents to interact with one another in a team work capacity without having to get personal. You can arrange the teams yourself to put people who don't usually spend time together in the same team or you can just play as a whole house. Depending on what you are wanting to help build within your community to can pick any number of games. The key aspect of game night is your residents need to buy into the event otherwise it will be you and the same people who get involved in everything. Sometimes a reward or prize is incentive enough to get residents to attend.

House Hike/Walk

Objectives

• Get people outdoors
• See more of Acadia National Park
• Build Community
• Release endorphin
• Hang out casually

Summary
Hikes and walks are a great way to get residents out of the house, into fresh air and see more of the park. It's also a great way to get some exercise in and force residents to put away their phones, tablets and laptops. Ah, there's nothing like nature and conversation.

Community Dinners/Meals

Objectives

• Build community
• Feed yourself and residents
• Check-in  with people
• Help residents bond

Summary
Community Dinner is almost considered part of the RA job description. It is often used by RA's to build community from the start of the year until the end. Sometimes it works wonderfully and sometimes your residents would prefer to feed themselves. Community dinner can be adapted in various different meal times and locations e.g. dessert, brunch, picnic, potluck, afternoon tea time.

Water Balloon Ice Breaker

Objectives

• To build community
• A chance for residents to get to know each other
• Active participation
• Fun

Summary
This ice breaker allowed people to get to know each other without sitting in an awkward circle. It was implemented during Week One of Fall Term and was a lot of fun.