Zip-lining: participants bond together by letting loose.
(L-R) Sauk Columbia Personal Association Members Molly Bauer, Arden Kleinsasser, Trina McVicker and Bill Burton wait to take their turn on the Wilderness Resort Canyon Zip-line Tour in Wisconsin Dells.
Thanks to TV reality shows like Survivor, extreme teambuild-
ing, often referred to as adventure-based teambuilding, has been gaining in popularity in recent years. It can include anything from zip-lining, rock climbing, rope courses and a variety of water-based activities.
According to teambuilding experts, the intensity of these ex-
treme exercises can be viewed by some participants as intimidating or overwhelming. However, they are beneficial because they force people to come face-to-face with their insecurities, while having to rely on the support of their colleagues. The positive results of con- quering an extreme challenge include: boosting one’s self-esteem, improving employee morale, improving employee performance, and increasing the trust and overall level of respect for one’s co- workers.
Soaring on a Zip-line According to
Ziplinerider.com, there are more than 40 zip-
lining courses in the Midwest. One of these courses is located at Wilderness Hotel & Golf Resort in Wisconsin Dells, WI. The Wil- derness Resort opened its zip-line last spring and it runs across the
WWW.MIDWESTMEETINGS.COM
Dells’ Lost Canyon. It features five lines, running more than eight football fields in length combined, strewn between six steel towers. Participants connect to the lines using lanyards and steel carabi- ners and have to step off the steel platforms, which are over six stories in the air, to complete the experience. Shannon Timmerman, group sales director for the Wilderness
Resort, says, “While not competitive, zip-lining is a fantastic ex- treme teambuilding exercise because it challenges participants to conquer their fear of heights and losing control together. It’s a bonding experience unlike any other, and it creates a strong sense of unity as well as accomplishment amongst its participants.” Last June, the Sauk Columbia Personal Association had a group
of ten people try the Wilderness Canyon Zip-line instead of partici- pating in their traditional golf outing. Group members report that the experience was truly memorable. According to Trina McVicker, past president for the association,
“I was probably the most nervous to try zip-lining, but everyone in our group was very supportive, even when I screamed going across the first line. It was truly an amazing experience! We really became
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Courtesy of SCPA
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