I am trying to come up with some new ideas for an outdoor training event, based around teamwork and vision and values. We have been through many ourdoor activities in the past and I am trying to come up with something different
This is the first time I have had to organise this sort of thing and it has to be some sort of an assault course. I have managed to obtain 2 quad bikes aswell. Any ideas of how I could put something together would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Katrina Edgar
9 Responses
assault courses
katrina – good luck with your task! I’m probably pointing out the obvious, but if you are organising this as an in-house exercise (albeit outdoors!) have you got suitably qualified people to run it, and are all delegates physically up for it? There may be various H&S and corporate liability issues that need to be run past your legals and insurers.
Outdoor Activities
Hi Katrina
Ironically I used to be an Outdoor Pursuits instructor who also taught IT on the centre. I would recomend reading up on some kiddies activity books. These knids of activities are easily altered for an adult audience, however in my experience the alterations need only be miner. Have you have some vague ideas as to what you might like to do, by all means drop me a line for advice.
Good Luck
Try the Sundial Group Venues…
Hi Katrina,
Take a look at the Sundial Group Venues, all of which have purpose built team building activities in the grounds. We’ve used them to great effect with a variety of teams.
Their web site is http://www.sundialgroup.com
Good luck!
Colin Hamilton
email: colin@bis-improve.co.uk
web: http://www.bis-improve.co.uk
assault courses
Katrina
I agree with Fiona’s comments, Make sure that anyone has proper instruction before using a Quad bike, your employers reputation and your career won’t survive if someone has an accident and is paralysed (these things do happen). Why does ‘it have to include an assault course’? Did somebody suggest it?Before you you start look at what you want to achieve, will these events get you there? I started my Training career in the Army, the assault course works fine with young teenage recruits as you have time (15-20 weeks) to get them to work on it, but in the corporate environment any team building benefits are few and exaggerated by some providers.
If you would like more info then send me an e-mail, good luck with it.
Paul
Outdoor activities
The risk management aspects of this type of activity make it a job for the specialists. There are lots of activity centres you can use but I use a group of people who are ex-forces and ex-paramedics trainers who can offer a number of scenarios which can incorporate an assault course. Other options include activities on a barge, a minesweeper and a yacht. We operate in teh UK and on the continent. Please contact me if you want further info.
values and teambuilding
Hi Katrina, I have used a very interesting and visually appealing tool to make sense of the values within a team, which can be very clearly linked to the outdoor activities. It is an excellent method for linking the outdoor exercise to reality. Please contact if you would like me to explain in detail.
The Downside
As an indivual who spent most of his teens either going up mountains, sking down them, on the water sailing and canoeing or under it and also as ex-serviceman who spent much of his 11 years service career on adverture training I would strongly agree with the previous comments that you must used trained professionals.
Check for formal qualifications,prior to joining the Army I was offered a job with one of the UK’s largest children adventure holiday companies and was required to teach adventure sports that I had no experience or qualifications in.
For water activities you should be look for RYA or for formal qualifiactions from one of the 3 Services. Mountain work should be covered by a qualification like the MLTC. etc.
On the downside there are many people who will hate you for forcing them to do something they loath.
Having someone bully you in front of all your work colleagues and juniors because you don’t want to abseil down a cliff or you won’t go in a boat because you are afraid of water is not the greatest way of building teams. Also have you checked that they are all fit enough to do the planned activities, having someone drop dead on you does not go down well.
If anyone has people that want to do this type of activity the Services run an excercise every year called Executive Stretch which costs nothing and is run under the direction of trained Servicemen.
teambuilding
I once used a ropes course for a group in Wokefield Park near Reading (I think the Hotel and grounds are owned by the Initial Group ?). Forget the name of the company who are based there (not a part of teh Hotel but I’m sure they would have their contact details) but they have the biggest ropes course in the UK and can also equip you with paintguns to add to the already difficult challenges the ropes provide ! Also they use their own qualified instructors – don’t attempt to create your own assault course – too many things can go wrong !!
Out Door Information
There a company in yorkshire called Camp Hill who do outdoor activities very well may be they acn help
Look on internet for address
Good Look