Forget trust falls. Team building activities at corporate retreats have moved so far past trust falls that we can relegate them to meme status. Today, corporate-retreat team building can be an incredibly powerful way to increase your team’s camaraderie, develop more cohesive and cooperative relationships, while also maximizing motivation and job satisfaction.
Retreats are also an ideal way to bring remote teams or multiple corporate offices together. To achieve these crucial goals, you should plan your retreat carefully. We have found these seven team building activities to be the perfect addition to your executive or corporate retreat.
Before we get to the list, the priority for team building at a corporate retreat is the location. The primary reason to choose any off-site location is to spend quality time together in a beautiful environment. When you are removed from the day-to-day of the office and transplanted to a peaceful space, distractions melt away, and you can focus on your bigger picture goals. A private, self-enclosed resort space offers exclusive usage and a distraction-free environment.
1. Free Time
As anyone who has sat through an endless day of meetings can attest, it is hard to make connections with your peers when you are staring at powerpoint presentations. For more organic bonding opportunities, free time is essential. Downtime is a great way for people to build relationships, participating in activities of their choosing. The best retreats are ones with multiple options built into the schedule; allowing people to make their own decisions of what to do within the program as well. Build choice and free time into your retreat plan and schedule. It will create a more relaxed environment.
2. Spa Time
Ease tension and boost energy with a spa visit. A massage benefits the physical, mental, and emotional aspects of employee health. Massage therapists will reduce pain and tension that has built up in the muscles from long desk hours and the usual stress of office life. By spending time at the spa, your team can relax, unwind and leave feeling rejuvenated.
3. Get Creative Through Painting
We have been hosting Paint Nites at the resort for awhile now and have found them to be a hands-on, energizing and rewarding group activity. It’s a relaxing activity where a local artist will guide each member of your team in creating their very own work of art. Not only will your team flex their creative muscle, but they will also have an evening where they can unwind, catch up over some drinks, and share some laughs. Plus, when you get back to the office hang some of the paintings as a reminder of the retreat!
4. Escape Room
Escape Rooms have been growing in popularity over the last few years. They are a bonding activity that requires leadership skills, teamwork, logic, and patience. The premise is simple: a group of people gets “locked” in a room for about an hour. During that time, they have to find hidden objects, solve puzzles, and figure out clues to locate the key that will set them free. You can even set up an escape room experience right in your resort or conference room – no travel required!
5. Board Game Tournament
Board games are a fun way to spark your team members’ competitive sides. Organize a team-wide board game tournament. Some great games with reasonable play times include Boggle, Jenga, or even classic card games. Euchre tournament anyone?
6. Yoga
Adding physical activity to your retreat is a great way to mix it up. Yoga at a company retreat brings your entire team to their mats to work on wellness side by side. Yoga is an adaptable activity so every office member can go at his or her own pace. Giving employees the opportunity to focus on both physical and mental health is a great way to focus and promote wellness amongst your team.
7. Cooking Class
There is one guarantee at every company retreat: people need to eat. Why not incorporate meal times into your team building. A cooking class is an efficient, creative and social team building activity. You will find that the team that cooks and eats together works better together. As you prepare the meal, your team will have plenty of time to strike up a conversation and enjoy the delicious aromas – it’s a fun and interactive team building experience!
These activities are just a few ideas to foster teamwork, camaraderie, and a renewed sense of purpose during your corporate retreat. At Rawley Resort, we offer an exclusive, private, boutique hotel atmosphere where you and your corporate team will be treated with genuine Georgian Bay hospitality. Our event planner will work with you to ensure you have everything you need for successful team building activities, meetings, video conferencing and whatever other needs you have. Let’s work together to start planning your successful retreat.