Embracing The GREAT OUTDOORS

While traditional indoor team building activities certainly have their merits, the allure of the great outdoors offers many advantages that can truly transform team dynamics. From breaking the monotony of office routines to providing a breath of fresh air for mental wellbeing, since COVID outdoor team building activities have emerged as a powerful tool for bringing teams closer together and unleashing their full potential in the open air.

As Laura Middleton, Owner of Farm Adventures, states: “Being outdoors is second to none when it comes to team building. When people arrive to take part, we see them feeling excited, apprehensive, and very chatty! Conversations spark with colleagues, whether just about the crazy journey into the countryside, or whether they paid attention and have a clue what they’re about to do! The smells, the sounds –everything is different to what they know.

“There’s no opportunity to just place themselves in a seat and sink into a very normal and familiar situation. They start to see what they’re surrounded by, asking questions, being inquisitive with their whole persona feeling so upbeat. The nervous energy hums around and it’s so important to harness this and for them to enjoy the whole process of the team building adventure which lies ahead!

Outdoor team building can be so unique – everyone is on the same footing and no-one needs to be excluded. When delegates aren’t pre-skilled or experienced, they all participate at the same level, and have an opportunity to really see their own and teammates skill sets in a new light.”

From the traditional clay pigeon shooting and archery, planners are now finding more original and immersive ideas to stimulate clients and teams, such as tractor driving, scaling a building, or even rearing pigs!

Escaping the office

One of the most compelling advantages of outdoor team building activities is the opportunity to break free from the confines of the home or office. Stepping into nature not only provides a change of scenery but also stimulates creativity and refreshes the mind. The structured environment of an office can sometimes stifle a team’s creativity, and by immersing them in a natural environment, it’s possible to open their minds to new ideas and fresh perspectives.

Exploring new terrains, facing physical challenges, and pushing boundaries contribute to personal growth and self-discovery, providing an avenue for individuals to tap into their hidden strengths and develop new skills, boosting their confidence and motivation.

Enhancing mental health and well-being

Studies have shown that exposure to nature reduces stress levels, improves the mood, and increases overall wellbeing.

The serenity of outdoor environments also has a calming effect, reducing anxiety and promoting mental clarity. The absence of workplace stress allows team members to relax, unwind, and recharge, ultimately leading to increased productivity and improved focus upon their return.

A break from computers and mobile phones enables teams to cultivate a sense of mindfulness, integrate with colleagues and develop greater awareness of their surroundings, leading to a more harmonious work-life balance.

Building stronger team dynamics

Unfamiliar environments and outdoor challenges bring team members closer together in ways that traditional indoor activities often can’t. Outdoor team building activities require collaboration, communication, and trust-building, as individuals rely on each other to overcome obstacles and achieve common goals, fostering a sense of camaraderie and teamwork.

In outdoor settings, team members can witness each other's strengths and capabilities first-hand. Leaving aside the traditional office hierarchies, they can observe different leadership styles, recognise the unique skills and talents of their colleagues, strengthening the bond between team members.

Fresh air, fresh perspectives

The effects of fresh air and natural surroundings go beyond physical health. Outdoor team building activities inspire individuals to think differently and embrace fresh perspectives. The change in environment stimulates creativity and encourages out-of-the-box thinking. The absence of the usual office distractions allows individuals to focus their attention on the task at hand and generate creative solutions.

I do feel we are in real danger of walking blindly into a corner with more and more rules and regulations at risk of strangling the life out of creativity and enterprise.

In the event industry, the Manchester Arena Inquiry and, more recently the O2 tragedy in Brixton, have both highlighted weaknesses in our approach to events. As a result of Manchester, we are now facing more stringent regulations under Martyn’s Law (Protect Duty) while the O2 has highlighted the lack of guidance for older fixed venues.

Rightly we must learn from these and take measures to ensure that they never happen again, but does it need to be done through rigid and all-embracing regulations? Indeed, by accepting