What is it?
The term "team building" refers to a varied group of activities aimed towards encouraging group bonding and improving the performance of a team. Almost any organisation that has a selection of people working together utilizes team bonding; you can find examples of it in businesses, the military, charities, sports and schools.
What does it involve?
Team building exercises usually involve encouraging people to work together effectively to achieve a certain goal; however, the main aim of team building is not to be the quickest or best at something, but to improve the relationships, operating dynamics and problem solving capabilities of the team in question.
Why do it and what are the benefits?
Activities that help with team building have many benefits, from building confidence in both the self and the group. Students can also learn important skills such as how to lead and how to follow, and how to collaborate with others and use the collective abilities of the group to achieve the best possible outcome.
What equipment do we need?
Equipment is often used that everyone can collaborate on, but thanks to the wide variety of activities that can help team building you cannot define exactly what equipment is needed. Some examples need only brainpower whereas others need specialist apparatus - make sure to consult with any venues you intend to visit beforehand to see if you need to bring anything.
Who is it suitable for?
People can start team building at any age! The complexity of the exercises can be adjusted to suit the needs of most groups, from primary school students to those in their late teens.
Costs?
You can attend specific events tailored towards team building, but it is also often a secondary benefit to an already established activity such as Sports the costs will therefore vary between activities, but should be too expensive!
Issues/Things to think about? (unsuitable for age groups, medical conditions etc)
You must make sure to tailor the nature of your activity to your students. Team building is highly customisable and therefore has an incredible range of possibilites; make sure to choose the right sort for the group e.g. physical teamwork for sports enthusiasts!
How do we include?
The very nature of team building is to include everybody in the tasks, so you can customise what your students do to suit the needs of the group perfectly - a great way to ensure full inclusion!
Doing it abroad?
You can find activities all over the world that can help with team building! However, they may not be advertised as such as the main attraction of the event is unlikely to be teamwork - exercise common sense in deciding what to do with your students to improve team bonds!
Highest Go Ape in the country at 360 metres above sea level.
It’s so high you can see all the way to Scotland. Enjoy a Tree Top Adventure with us in our beautiful forest, riding zip slides through skies, over water and in England’s only true mountain forest. We’re sure you’ll love the spectacular views of the Lake District.
The ICC is a truly world-class venue and one of Europe’s most high profile conference centres, welcoming over 350 events and more than 300,000 delegates each year. Unrivalled experience, a fantastic reputation and uniquely flexible, purpose-built space in a great location enable the ICC team to deliver events beyond expectations.
Blackwell Adventure is a unique, fully equipped outdoor activity centre available to a wide range of customers. We boast 50 acres of beautiful parkland and are superbly located within five minutes of the M42 and M5. Our residential, camping and adventure facilities are amongst the best in the midlands and are used by over 25,000 people per year.
Progressive climbing 'cub course' starts at age 8: the courses focus on safety competence, equipment, basic indoor climbing skills, centre etiquette and above all having fun!
Schools using Wolf Mountain
It is now common practice for schools to actively encourage experiential learning to promote healthy lifestyles and positive attitudes.
Make a splash in a canoe at Tittesworth Water, scale the heights at The Roaches, or get your pulse racing on a mountain bike.
Exciting family entertainment centre with 6 unique attractions to choose from. Soft play, and Sky Tykes for kids under 6, Nerf Blaster Target range and Nerf arena, plus Mini Golf for all and Altitude for the daring!
Yu Kids is a Japanese designed adventure play area, which is colourful with some inventive ideas, plus a special play space for kids under 2 years old.
Take in breathtaking views of the Chilterns. NEW Crossings for 2014.
NEW ‘Extreme’ route now open at Go Ape Wendover Woods. A first for Go Ape, a scrambling net and climbing wall just to reach our most adventurous crossings. Will you take on the challenge?
The Caldecotte Xperience offers a variety of exciting adventure activities and learning experiences for young people and adults, from 8 to 80. Activities include: sailing, canoeing, kayaking, windsurfing, rowing, climbing, high ropes, caving, archery, fencing, bushcraft and many exciting team building activities.
WCA is a family run outdoor activity company. We pride ourselves in making outdoor activities accessible to people of diverse ages, aims and interests.
Adventure Edinburgh aims to give young people the opportunity to develop skills and interests in mountaineering, climbing and mountain biking. Through this you are encouraged to become self-sufficient in your chosen activity and develop personal skills such as, leadership, interpersonal and communication skills, and teamworking.
Beyond Adventure is a specialist outdoor company, based in Aberfeldy, Scotland, providing tailor-made experiences of the wilderness environment. Our particular specialities are open canoeing and tailor made multi-activity residentials for groups in Scotland, Europe and North America.
A range of watersports are on offer including: sail sports, paddle sports, raft building, fishing, rowing and pedalos on the loch. Off the water we have archery, play parks, and a dry ski slope, great team building apparatus. Not forgetting stunning walks and mountain biking.
As the North of Scotland’s largest Conference Centre, we host over 600 events and welcome around 300,000 visitors annually.
AECC and Aberdeen are very accessible with great transport links to this historic and successful city, and to some of Scotland’s finest scenery and heritage!
North Outdoor Interventions is an independent provider of outdoor recreation, workshops, outdoor education and training. With a vast experience of working in partnership with children’s and adult services.
Enjoy Our Epic Skateboard Zip Wire and Some Stunning Scenery near Aberdeen.
A great day out if you’re looking for adventure activities near Aberdeen. Set in the grounds of historic Crathes Castle, we’re proud to unveil one of our new skateboard zip wires.
Tollymore National Outdoor Centre offers a range of one day and weekend courses in rock climbing skills, learning to lead and multi pitch climbing, Canadian canoeing, kayaking and sea kayaking, mountain biking, orienteering and coasteering.
Wayahead Training is here to enable and teach. We provide safe, fully accredited expeditions, and outdoor learning and leadership programmes.
Enjoy Hill-to-Hill zip wires with Stunning Views of the Vale of Pickering.
One of the best days out in Yorkshire: They don’t call this the Great Yorkshire Forest for nothing. Enjoy our classic Tree Top Adventure and our epic Forest Segways near York.
Our team of friendly professionals prides itself on creating a welcoming atmosphere and providing programmes tailored to meet your needs.
Established in 1980 Britain’s most experienced summer holiday operator for children and teenagers aged 3-17 years. With a host of exciting and adventurous activities to choose from.
Established in 1980 Britain’s most experienced summer holiday operator for children and teenagers aged 3-17 years. With a host of exciting and adventurous activities to choose from.
The Trinity Centre is an iconic space and much-loved Bristol landmark, based in the heart of Old Market
The Bushcraft Company offer residential school trips with a difference, taking students into the wild and giving them real back-to-nature experiences they will never forget.
A 15-year-old boy fell 60ft over the edge of a cliff whilst on a geography school trip, miraculously only suffering minor injuries.