Is Camping a Good Idea for Teambuilding?

The management team, where I work, recently decided to send a group of us on a teambuilding exercise. The outcome has been two colleagues resigning and one undergoing disciplinary action for gross misconduct.

Although attendance was not compulsory everyone signed up as they were worried that not going would be bad for their careers. They had planned a packed intinerary including archery, hiking, climbing and orienteering. But no sooner had we arrived and things began to go downhill.

There had clearly been a major breakdown in communication as many people apparently had not been told what they needed to bring along. Many people had turned up without sleeping bags and some had even omitted to bring any proper outdoor clothes.This prompted some arguments between some of my colleagues and a small group decided it was time for lunch at a local bar.

The organizers had provided all of the essential camping equipment including optional tents, hammocks and tarpaulins, ideal for the hardier, experienced campers. I chose the log cabin option as this was comfortably fitted out with proper beds.

When my colleagues returned from the pub they were clearly the worse for drink. The afternoon was to be spent orienteering around the local woodland. The organisers had arranged a 6 mile treasure hunt through the nearby woods. The prospect of walking 6 miles was clearly too much for the group who’d returned from the pub and instead they chose to sit in a clearing smoking, drinking whiskey and telling jokes.

When the evening rolled around it was time for us to cook our dinner over the camp fire. They provided a selection of raw ingredients for our supper including several chickens and a range of vegetables. The menu was clearly not to the liking of a few of my colleagues who decided that they would prefer pizza so they got on the phone to a delivery service in a nearby village. This prompted the orgnisers to call a meeting with all of the attendees to make certain we all knew what was expected of us.

Things continued to go downhill, mainly due to the continued consumption of alcohol. The contingent who had chosen to go to the pub for lunch had missed out on bunks in the log cabin so they were expected to sleep in the tents. This didn’t go down well and several said that they would prefer to go to a hotel. When it was pointed out that this was not in the spirit of teambuilding they became belligerent and even threatened one of the organizers.

The result was that several people who were clearly unhappy with the exercises heading home early. Those of us who stayed had a great time but it was clear that the organisers were not happy with our colleagues.

Hopefully this tale will prompt managers to make certain that they communicate with their team to ensure that everyone buys into the teambuilding activity. Its really important to make certain that everybody knows what is expected of them and what is expected of the exercise.