Lake surfing: groups break the ice while they break the waves.
Jeff Nelson, programs coordinator for Vertical Endeavors, says,
“Rock climbing is a great extreme teambuilding exercise in that it offers a full body workout that can be customized for all ages and abilities. “All of our teambuilding activities are built on trust, persever-
ance, and confidence, which is really beneficial for any organiza- tion. And, since rock climbing is a shared experience, it is hard to forget and easy to look back on as a noteworthy accomplishment.” According to Angela Reinholdt, a project engineer with Cargill
who recently participated in a teambuilding activity at Vertical En- deavors, “Our group had a great time. During the outside activity, we really got competitive and grew as a team. With the rock climb- ing, our group grew even more, encouraging others to make it up the walls. The staff was also very fun and very efficient so we could make the most of the time we had scheduled.”
Water Works Whether you are white-water rafting, canoeing, kayaking, or
a great team cheering each other on, and at the end all of us were so disappointed it was over.”
Rock Climbing Rock climbing, another adventure-based teambuilding chal-
lenge, can be hosted in a natural setting or at an indoor rock climb- ing facility. Vertical Endeavors, with three locations in Minnesota, offers both types of rock climbing programs depending on the time of year and group preference. Their St. Paul indoor location features over 18,000 sq. ft. of in-
door climbing surfaces that can be both fun and challenging for any skill level. The facility includes 50+ top ropes, 15 Auto Belays, a 12-ft. bouldering cave that has over 3,600 sq. ft. of climbing, and a 45- and 60- degree bouldering cave experience.
24
surfing, the use of water in any extreme teambuilding initiative presents a whole new level of adventure for participants. Jessie Hadley, owner of Woods and Water Ecotours based near
the Les Cheneaux Islands in the Eastern Upper Peninsula of Michi- gan, regularly takes groups out on kayaking teambuilding challeng- es. According to Hadley, sea kayaking is extremely popular in this area because much of the water in the region is protected, so there is a lot of wildlife and natural beauty to enjoy while having a great teambuilding experience. Hadley says most tours are customized for groups of ten to 12
and can last anywhere from a half day to three days with overnight lodging. The trips focus on teaching safety skills, including how to react if your kayak capsizes, and basic paddle strokes. Participants
MIDWEST MEETINGS FALL 2011
Courtesy of David Owen
Courtesy of Lesley Sauls
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