Experiential · Simulation-Based · Debrief-Rich
When Cultures Collide
An experiential training that puts staff inside cultural difference rather than just discussing it.
At a Glance
The Upside Down simulation creates a shared experience that makes it possible to talk about cultural dynamics without the conversation feeling like an accusation. Participants are divided into two cultures with completely different rules and norms, then sent as solo ambassadors into the other culture to complete a mission. For a few minutes, each staff member is the only person from their culture in a room full of people operating by rules they don’t know. The debrief connects that experience to the real dynamics of the camp team. Staff leave having felt something that usually only gets talked about, and with a ready-to-use version of the simulation they can run with their campers.
THE PROBLEM
Talking about cultural difference is hard. Having a shared experience to debrief from changes the conversation entirely.
Talking about cultural dynamics on a staff team is hard. It feels personal, it risks putting people on the defensive, and it’s easy to avoid until something goes wrong. This training gives staff a shared experience to debrief from, which changes the nature of the conversation entirely.
WHAT’S INSIDE
4 Core Modules
Learning Your Culture
Participants are divided into two groups, Astra and Terra, each with distinct rules for communication, interaction, and earning prestige tokens. Before any cross-cultural contact, each group spends time learning and practicing their own culture’s norms. The goal is fluency before the exchange begins.
A personal experience of what it means to operate inside a cultural system
The Exchange
In rotating pairs, ambassadors from each culture attempt to complete a mission in the other culture, with no shared language, no shared norms, and only partial and often inaccurate information about the other group. The friction, confusion, and frustration that emerge are the data.
A firsthand experience of cultural collision and the assumptions it generates
The Debrief
Participants reflect individually first, then share in small groups. The reflection covers what they felt, what assumptions they formed and how quickly, and what they believed about the other culture that turned out not to be true. The debrief connects the simulation experience directly to the real dynamics of camp: cabin tensions, staff from different backgrounds, communication style conflicts.
Language for naming cultural dynamics that usually go unnamed
Bringing It to Your Campers
Staff leave with two things: a personal experience of cultural collision and the tools to create that experience for their campers. This module focuses on how to adapt the activity for different age groups, what to emphasize in the debrief with kids, and how to connect the experience to the specific culture of their camp.
A ready-to-use activity and a facilitation plan
WHO IT’S FOR
Built for
Your Whole Staff
NEW COUNSELORS
FULL TEAMS
RETURNING STAFF
LEADERSHIP STAFF
This training works best when delivered to the whole staff team together. The conversation is more honest and more useful when everyone is in the room. Leadership staff should be present and participatory.
FORMAT & LOGISTICS
What to Expect
1.5 - 2 Hours
Depends on size of the group and the amount of debrief time
DURATION
DELIVERY
In-Person Only
Available on-site at your camp. The simulation requires physical participation.
TIMING
Early Orientation
Works well early in orientation when the community is just forming.
WHAT PARTICIPANTS WALK AWAY WITH
A firsthand experience of cultural collision and what it generates
A common experience that opens up conversations that are otherwise hard to start
A debrief framework for connecting the simulation to real camp dynamics
A ready-to-use version of the Upside Down simulation to run with campers
PAIRS WELL WITH
Build a Full Training Track
STAFF TRAINING · TEAM DYNAMICS
Stop the Drama
Cultural misunderstanding is one of the drivers of staff drama. These two trainings address the same tension from different angles.
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT · STAFF COACHING
Coaching as a System
The simulation surfaces dynamics that need to be followed up on. Coaching as a System gives leaders the tools to do that at the individual level.
SYSTEMIC · DESIGN THINKING
From Good Intentions to Great Systems
The leadership-level companion to this training, focused on building systems that support all staff.
LET’S WORK TOGETHER
Bring This To Your Camp
Tell us a little about your organization and what you're looking for. We'll get back to you within 48 hours to talk through the details, customize the content for your context, and figure out what works for your budget and timeline.
Prefer to reach out directly?
jarod@thrivepointstudio.com