The Lessons of Rafting: How Rafting Can Be Used as a Business Team Building Exercise
To me, teamwork is the beauty of our sport, where you have five acting as one. You become selfless.
-Mike Krzyzewski
Good businesses know that team work is important, whereas great businesses know the importance of team building. If you’re looking for a fun and creative way to improve your workplace atmosphere, energy, and synergy, taking your employees for a day of whitewater rafting is it. A 2012 Wakefield Research Study shows that almost 31% of employees dislike team-building activities so skip the typical trust exercises. Let’s take a look at all the reasons why whitewater rafting is great for team building.
1. We Offer Food
One of the best ways to improve workplace relationships is to have them share a meal together. If you think about it, anytime there’s a celebration, it involves gathering together for a meal. At Wilderness Aware, we offer deli-style lunches on our full-day trips and free continental breakfasts.
There’s even a shaded meeting area and riverside picnic site for groups to gather and reminisce about their day on the river.
2. Team Work at its Best
Another effective team-building activity is to have employees participate in fitness or sports activities together. When each person has a critical role in the raft to paddle through eddies and challenging obstacles, it sets up an open environment for bonding and encouragement.
Looking back at our roots not 50 years ago when office jobs were uncommon and people physically interacted on a daily basis, you see a huge improvements in relationships. A change of scenery with a common goal gives people a fresh outlook.
3. Nature Therapy is Awesome
Being outdoors and working together in Mother Nature spurs nature therapy and an experience that they’ll never forget. Nature therapy can have regenerative powers that diminishes stress, anxiety, and depression.
It is a great way for people to relax together and unwind. Being outdoors also improves physical health and mental clarity. People talk and bond more when they are moving, and in this case, paddling their oars through whitewater!
4. Fun is an Option
Setting up a getaway that allows employees to enjoy themselves and have fun taps into the most basic way that humans and animals improve their social skills: learning through play. It also lowers blood pressure and increases friendly pats on the back.
When co-workers feel more comfortable interacting with one another, workflow and quality improves because people aren’t hesitant about approaching one another for advice or suggestions. When employees can connect to one another, it improves their happiness with their workplace.
The workplace culture is taking two directions: companies that care about employee retention and a quality workplace, and companies that have high-turnover, which is usually their best employees leaving for something better. A team-building activity that is actually fun and exciting will spur innovation while also showing your employees that you do care about their overall well-beings and happiness at work. Whitewater rafting is an exciting outdoor activity that encourages team-building in an exciting and unique way.
If you’re interested in planning a day on the river for your company, contact us at Wilderness Aware Rafting and we’ll be happy to help you get started.
