Design a list of guidelines for promoting respect together with the kids. Encourage all responses, such as "only one person talks at a time" or "do not make fun of anyone" and come up with a final list through consensus.
Create a list of two or three goals with the kids that they would like to meet by the end of the time you have together. Revisit the goals with the kids weekly or monthly, depending on the total time you have together.
Facilitate icebreaker activities for kids just getting to know one another; this would also be effective for kids who already know one another but who may not be cohesive as a team. For example, try the toilet paper icebreaker. Pass out a roll of toilet paper and ask the children to take as many squares as they would like without telling them why. Then have each child say something about himself for every square of toilet paper he takes.
Facilitate trust-building exercise. Working in pairs, children can take turns guiding their blindfolded partner safely around the room on a "trust walk." For the trust circle activity, 10 to 12 kids stand shoulder-to-shoulder in a circle and one person stands in the middle. The middle child closes her eyes, stands stiff as a board and lets herself fall while the children forming the circle prevent her from falling.
Organize a challenge for the entire group to complete together. Examples include making a communal quilt, organizing a fundraiser for a local charity or creating a vegetable garden. Make sure each child plays a role.