Survival Course to be used as a team building exercise for my employees

[JeffreyJames]

Hi my name is Jeff and I own a company of about 15-20 employees given the time of year. I was reading articles that say survival courses are being used by companies as team building exercises for there employees and was wondering how true of a statement that was. Also i am wondering what courses in the US would be good to go to. I do not want to put these employees through anything too strenuous. I just want them to have fun on a 2 or 3 day course and really work on working together. Any comments would be helpful.

[pgvoutdoors]

Hi,
These types of teamwork programs can be very productive. Are you looking to do this more or less local; and if yes, where do you live? Are you looking for a survival program or would you entertain any outdoor program? Will there be male and female employees attending? What price range are you looking at?

With this information I will be able to suggest a few options.

[trax]

Pgv's questions are very good and very important. That man knows his stuff. Ensure that you have a clear picture of what you want, and ensure that your people know what the course is about and what the expectations are going in as well, or it could turn out to be very counter-productive. My best piece of advice, make sure they're going to have some fun. You don't want a bunch of people back at the work-site the following week bitc*ing and complaining because someone else on the team made them "lose" if it's a competitive challenge.

[Beowulf65]

Both very sound advice.

[jaypalace]

PGV's questions are good, and I've got a few builds. First, in order to get the most out of any experiential training, engaging and polling your group in advance is critical. Many executives bring out a group without clearly defining objectives. Often the exercise is viewed as tops-down driven, and the activity itself determined solely by what the exec likes to do. Allowing your group to share their opinons on three topics prior to the experience will overcome both of these probles.

1) What are the key things our team needs this year accomplish this year? (you'll be surprised how many opinions your team may have, and thus not be pulling together)
2) What are the best attributes of our team which will enable us to reach our goals?
3) What are some of our team's communication or decision making challenges which impede our effectiveness?

After you have this information, your experience can be tailored to your challenges, and everyone will be in much more of a receptive mode.

Lastly, the experience needs to be fun but also challenging. If you are open to other outdoor formats, I'd recommend sailing or adventure racing, and of course, these are experience which my company facilitates regularly.

Jay Palace

-Apologies for earlier posting my company's contact information.

[Rick]

JayPalace - Promoting your company within the post is a violation of the forum rules. If you wish to post the URL in your signature file, you are welcome to do that.

[trax]

JayPalace - Promoting your company within the post is a violation of the forum rules. If you wish to post the URL in your signature file, you are welcome to do that.

MMM-hmmm, there goes the Twinkienator, drunk with power. This is what we were all afraid of, it's already starting. Pretty soon him and Sarge will only talk to each other, yep, can see it coming....sad really....

[Beowulf65]

Twinkienator drunk with power, yup you said it bro, see what happens absolute power corrupts absolutely, yeah nice knowing ya Twinkenator... and Trax is right he'll be talking to Sarge all alone soon as he's too good for us lowly folk. Bright side though... that'll give Sarge someone to talk too... lol... jk Sarge.

[Rick]

Hang on Sarge, someone is ringing the doorbell. I hate interruptions.

Move along folks, nothing to see here.