6 Outdoor Team Building Activities & Corporate Experiences
When summer comes around and spending long days in the office starts to feel more demanding, outdoor team building activities are the perfect way to re-energise your corporate team. Aside from giving your employees the opportunity to get active and have fun, outdoor team activities can help to build workplace bonds, increase productivity and contribute to a positive company culture overall.
From group attractions and tours to adrenaline-pumping adventure days, revitalising overnight breaks and much more — we offer a range of corporate gift vouchers for outdoor experiences that will give your team the breath of fresh air they deserve. But with so many options to choose from, deciding on the ideal away day for your team can be difficult. In this article, we’re sharing our top six outdoor team building activities that will boost productivity while leaving your team feeling refreshed for their next workday.
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Why host team building activities outside?
While anyone who has participated in outdoor team building activities will attest to their positive impact, there is no shortage of research and neuroscientific data which highlights the benefits of bringing your corporate events into nature. One study conducted over nine years found that regular contact with nature can help to reduce mental fatigue while improving cognitive performance overall.
On top of having a positive impact on workplace performance, outdoor team building games and activities are proven to significantly improve employee engagement and attitudes. A study comparing the psychological impact of walking in nature against walking in urban settings found that natural environments boost levels of gratitude and humility. Taking your corporate away days to the great outdoors is a guaranteed way of improving your employees’ holistic wellbeing, boosting their professional development and making them feel valued in the workplace.
6 outdoor team building activities to keep your employees entertained and engaged
Whether you’re seeking to strengthen bonds, boost morale or bring your company’s employee experience to the next level — taking your corporate away days outdoors might just be the strategy that your business is in need of. From tranquil country breaks to fun-filled adventure days, here are our top six ideas for outdoor team building activities for bringing the transformative powers of nature to your workplace.
1. Water sports
Some of the best outdoor corporate activities are those which encourage your employees to get out of their comfort zone, leaving the rules of the workplace behind to cooperate in creative new ways. Combining teamwork, exhilaration and overcoming challenges — water-based activities are guaranteed to make a splash amongst any corporate team.
From kayaking to rafting, high-speed boat rides to slow-paced paddle boarding — there are endless water sports activities that your corporate team can take part in. You’ll need to navigate currents and obstacles, follow precise directions and react to nature’s challenges in real time, creating a valuable team bonding experience that’s sure to be a favourite among your employees.
2. Glamping
The health benefits of spending a night or two in nature are pronounced, with one survey finding that 88% of traditional campers experience higher levels of mental well-being than their non-camping counterparts. While sleeping riverside in a tent may not be the most appealing prospect for all of your employees, modern glamping experiences allow the less adventurous among your corporate team to reap camping’s manifold benefits.
Glamping involves exactly what the name would have you suggest — enjoying an overnight break in nature while still having access to many of the home comforts that we have grown accustomed to. Accommodation ranges from weatherproof wigwams to spacious timber cabins, and can even come equipped with amenities such as swimming pools, free Wi-Fi, and cosy indoor mattresses.
3. Sports adventures
The perfect activity for those in your workplace who can’t resist a competitive challenge, sports adventure experiences combine rewarding physicality with a healthy dose of mental focus. Test your team’s ability to cooperate under pressure with a challenging treetop obstacle course, or remind them that there’s no mountain they can’t climb with an introduction to outdoor bouldering.
While many members of your corporate team might be ready to take on a taxing outdoor sports experience, it’s important to remain inclusive of all ages and abilities when planning outdoor team building games. Luckily, low-pressure sports adventures like group hikes, scavenger hunts and clay pigeon shooting offer fun-focused alternatives that your entire team can enjoy.
4. Wine tasting & vineyard tours
If a scenic day among Britain’s idyllic vineyards sounds more appealing than a strenuous sports adventure, then why not treat your staff to the sweeter side of outdoor team building? With a wine tasting and vineyard tour experience, lucky members of your team will get to experience the inner workings of exquisite countryside wineries while sampling the rich flavours of our finest native grapes.
Combining the bliss of scenic surroundings with just the right amount of mental and sensory stimulation, vineyard tours and wine tastings create the perfect balance for a successful day of outdoor team building. Cooperate with colleagues to identify various aromas and flavours, or stir up some healthy competition by putting your palates to the test in a team-based tasting competition.
5. Adrenaline activities
When it comes to outdoor team building activities that can effectively bond employees together, few work as effectively as adrenaline-fuelled activities that test participants to the limit. Whether soaring through the clouds on a sky-high zip line or whizzing around trees on a forest alpine coaster, adrenaline-based activities can boost your corporate team’s confidence while creating priceless memories.
Conquering fears and experiencing the value of risk-taking first hand can work wonders for building self-assurance in the workplace. With an adrenaline adventure, your team will learn the powerful rewards that exist at the end of their comfort zones, enhancing their ability to thrive in fast-paced situations. These hair-raising environments will also encourage natural leaders to emerge, shining a spotlight on team members who perform under pressure.
6. Zoos & safari parks
If the growing trend of pet-friendly offices has taught us anything, it’s that employees derive a significant emotional benefit from the company of animals. This should come as no surprise, with studies reporting that introducing animals to a workplace can promote healthier levels of movement, reduce stress levels and even lead to a lower number of sick days among staff.
While not every workplace is suitable for animals, there’s always the option of treating your corporate team to the wild ride of a zoo and safari park experience. From friendly encounters with elephants and meerkats to thrilling rides through carnivore safari parks, animal experiences provide the ideal way to immerse your team in nature while creating some unforgettable photo opportunities.
Start your adventure today with outdoor team building experience gift vouchers from Red Letter Days Corporate
Don’t let summer pass you by — take advantage of the sunnier weather by organising an outdoor team building activity for your employees. From relaxing tours and overnight stays to exhilarating adventures and water sports experiences, we offer a premium range of corporate experience vouchers that cater to all ages, abilities and personal interests.
Purchase an outdoor experience gift to reward your loyal employees with a long-service award they won’t forget, or as a unique way to offer performance incentives to your top-performing staff.
Get in touch today to find out how Red Letter Days Corporate can help to boost employee loyalty and create a positive company culture with our vast range of corporate gift experiences.