Since Project POWER/AmeriCorps is in full-blown summer camp mode, it seems appropriate to post successful, fun games for summer camp groups. The game of the week is Knee Ball.
To play Knee Ball you need between 15 and 25 minutes of free time or time to kill. Two buckets, three if you have three teams. Squishy balls of any kind. Any number of summer campers, students and staff. The main objective is to create an atmosphere of competition that fosters team work and encouragement!
Begin by splitting your group of campers/students into two teams. Have the teams line up, single file, and place a bucket about 20 to 30 feet away.
Once teams are split it is instruction and demonstration time. Explain that this is a relay race, with everyone taking a turn and speed being of the utmost importance. 
Demonstrate the two tasks each student will need to complete. The first, is placing the squishy ball between their knees and hopping or moving in any way toward the bucket, where they drop the ball inside before they can run it back to the next camper. After all the campers have completed this phase of the relay, they need to shift their style from knees to the CRAB-WALK! Campers place the squishy ball 
between their chin and neck and race, crab style, to the bucket, where they will flip, drop and then return the ball to their teammates. The first team to complete both rounds wins!
Let the games begin!
