Category: Team Building

Purple letter ballons spelling the word trust

July 14, 2021

5 Outdoor Activities That Build Trust among Team Members

Trust is a key pillar in any successful company. Building that trust among your employees will aid in creating a more productive workflow that will help your business achieve growth. For example, if your employees trust each other, they will be more likely to pick up extra slack to help out a colleague, helping avoid any gaps in the work process.

Whether you are holding a weekend-long company retreat or just an out-of-office excursion for the day, Frogbridge Events knows how beneficial outdoor trust-building activities can be for team members. The following activities can help build trust and relationships in your company.

Why Is Trust Important in the Workplace?

Data has shown that 89 percent of employees who feel they are a part of a great team with great leadership are more likely to stay at that job. Having good management comes from trust. Some ways trust can benefit the organization are:

Improve morale and motivation
Builds collaborative relationships amongst coworkers
Improve efficiency
Empower ethical decision making
Decrease stress and hostility in the working environment

While these are just a few examples of how trust can benefit the workplace, there are countless more ways that team building exercises can benefit your company.

Trust Building Outdoor Team Building Activities

Team building activities may be something that you roll your eyes at. Still, these unique outdoor trust-building activities are sure to bring some fun to your company retreat or event.

Blind Obstacle Course

Perfect for company retreats at a large outdoor setting like Frogbridge Events, this game is sure to be a company favorite. After setting up an obstacle course, blindfold your team members and give them a rope. They will use the rope and communication skills to guide each other over various obstacles throughout the course to make it to the end. To be successful, team members have to trust one another to help them clear each obstacle so they do not end up falling and having to start over again.

The Floor Is Lava

A play on a childhood classic, this trust-building exercise is fun and will get energy levels up as your team members navigate through this game. Place some mats on the ground of an open field space. They should be close enough so that the participants can jump between the mats, but not too close that they could sidestep. Designate one person as the team leader and place them at the end of the course. Blindfold the rest of your team members. The object of the game is for the blindfolded team members to jump from mat to mat while trusting the directions of the team leader at the end of the course.

Scavenger Hunt

This is a classic team-building activity that is perfect for increasing trust amongst the team. Break up employees into two or more teams and offer a fun prize to the winning team to increase urgency. This will force team members to trust and work together as they race to win the prize.

Frostbite

You will need a large open outdoor area for this game. Break your employees into teams of six, if possible. Choose a team leader for each team. The team leader has frostbite and cannot move but can see and speak. The rest of the team is blindfolded and has to pitch a tent relying on the team leader’s instructions.

Pipeline

Spread out your team in a large open area standing shoulder to shoulder. Each person will hold a halved pipeline. The goal is to roll marbles or small balls down the line, and as the ball passes each person, they should run to the end of the line to catch the ball in their pipeline before it falls off at the last person. See how long your team can keep the ball rolling!

Outdoor Event Space for Your Team Building Retreat

Trust is not something that can be built without effort. Sometimes, getting out of the office and back to nature is exactly what your team needs to build trust and appreciation for each other. Whether you are planning a company retreat or a simple day trip for your company, Frogbridge Events can accommodate whatever your team is looking for.

With activities, refreshments, and over 86 acres of open space, Frogbridge Events is the perfect setting for your next company event. Start planning your best company event yet by contacting us online or calling (609) 208-9475.

Joanna Brooks

Business woman working remotely and having a conference video meeting with her coworkers

July 8, 2021

3 Tips for Making Your Remote Employees Feel Included and Valued

After 2020 left the world in shambles, workplaces adapted to accommodate social distancing regulations by mostly switching to remote work. These changes prioritized the safety and security of employees, but without daily social interactions and a shift into isolation, many workers feel detached from their company.

The Harvard Business Review found that when studying over 1,100 employees, remote workers were more likely to report feeling mistreated and left out. As the professional world continues with remote work, feelings of solitude and abandonment are becoming a massive obstacle in forming proper workplace relationships and communication.

Now more than ever, employers are interested in finding ways to include employees in company events and showcase remote workers’ value to the organization. Instead of canceling remote work plans, managers are encouraged to create an atmosphere of connection and trust. Here are three valuable tips when forging a dependable network in the workplace.

Use Video Contact with Remote Workers

For workers unable to meet face-to-face, it’s vital that managers consistently schedule virtual check-ins and meetings. These conferences give remote employees opportunities to ask questions and feel more connected with their team. Workers that perform their job at home should have regular contact with other employees.

When left alone to continue their role without managerial affirmations, team members feel secluded and without guidance. Leaders need an awareness of these feelings of loneliness when creating events or tasks for their workers. Using video conferencing tools can significantly reduce feelings of frustration and contentment.

Clearly State Expectations and Roles

Leading a remote group can be tricky since managers cannot physically monitor and teach their team members. In order to clearly delegate tasks and produce quality work, supervisors need to directly communicate each employees’ assignments and how their work is essential.

In cases where there is miscommunication and confusion, the product of work and the relationship between the worker and employer is poor. To avoid these troublesome occurrences, presenting remote employees with their requirements can relieve tension in the organization.

Prioritize Team Activities

Creating close bonds within a team doesn’t always mean giving assignments or discussing work-related issues. One of the most important ways to make employees feel needed and connected is through personal team activities. Incorporating entertaining tournaments and other ideas can significantly improve how your team navigates.

With new technology making it easier to find innovative group events, there’s always room for consistent fun Fridays. If your employees live around the same area, in-person opportunities can provide remote employees access to face-to-face events. Either way, initiating team gatherings will bring your team closer together.

Explore Recreational Outside Activities with Frogbridge Events

For some companies, remote workers might have the opportunity to spend time with the organization outside of business. If your organization is looking to incorporate more face-to-face events for both in-person and remote employees, our recreational resort sits on 86 acres of inclusive natural landscape.

When looking for exciting outdoor adventures for your team, Frogbridge Events offers a wide variety of activities and games for all types of people. Whether zip lines, laser tag, or a picnic, we’re able to offer our clients an experience filled with laughter and memories. For more information on how to sign your organization up for outdoor fun, contact us at (609) 208-9050.

Joanna Brooks

a group of friends high fiving after winning an outdoor game

June 30, 2021

How to Hold a Company Retreat for a Remote Team

Suppose your company is run entirely remote or has specific departments that are remote. In that case, you may be missing some of the camaraderie that comes from in-person interactions with your colleagues. Whether you have always been a remote team or the switch to working from home has been more recent, getting everyone in one place without proper planning can be challenging. Holding a company retreat for your remote team can be game-changing, so keep reading for the steps you should take to help make a productive retreat a possibility for you and your coworkers!

Frogbridge Events is an all-inclusive natural resort set on 86 acres of land in New Jersey. Their mission is to help you and your company escape from day-to-day life for a few days as you indulge in all nature has to offer, all while reconnecting and recentering company goals!

How to Plan a Company Retreat When Everyone Works Remote

Planning a retreat is hard when you have everyone in one building. Now add in the fact that most remote teams can be pretty spread out throughout a state or even a country; this is no simple task. While it may not be easy, it is certainly not out of the question. With some advanced planning a month or so ahead, these steps should help you and your team plan so as many people can join in on the fun as possible!

Choose three dates and then send out a survey for which works best for your team members. Whatever date the majority choose is the date you should stick with!
Plan out the retreat. Now that you have a date on the calendar, sit down with a few colleagues and plan out what will happen each day of the retreat.
Set tangible goals. Figure what exactly you and your team need to accomplish on the retreat so that you can enter into it with intentions!
Send out a schedule. Once the date is set, the retreat is planned, and the goals are set, send an agenda to your team so they can plan accordingly and get excited for the fun in store!

Planning is key to an event going off without a hitch, and a company retreat is no different. When planning this particular retreat, remember to do your best to remain flexible with your employees when planning their schedules around the retreat.

Is It Expensive to Run a Company Retreat?

The cost of a company retreat will vary depending on variables like trip duration, how many people will attend, and where the retreat will be held. While cost should be a point of consideration when planning, also remember that remote companies do save a lot of money when it comes to other overhead costs like an office building. While the retreat itself will not be cheap, if budgeted correctly, it should be worth the investment for your company.

What Activities Should You Do on a Company Retreat?

For a company retreat to be successful, there has to be a healthy balance between work and fun. Of course, the goal is to be productive and accomplish the things set with intention by your team, but a retreat should not be another regular workweek in a different location.

Since this is a rare opportunity for you and your remote team to spend some time together in person, use the retreat as an opportunity to grow closer and learn more about one another. After all, work relationships will help strengthen your team and allow for better collaboration overall. While there should be time scheduled to sit and work alongside one another, the following list contains some ideas for non-work-related activities to help strengthen your team’s bond!

Go for a hike
Kayaking
Split into teams and play basketball or volleyball
Go on a food tour
Participate in a bar hop
Outdoor laser tag
Go rock climbing
Have a bonfire
Cook a meal together
Visit a theme park

Combine some of these fun activities with some team-building exercises, goal sharing, and work hours, and you will leave your company retreat with a new sense of connectivity and belonging within your team!

Plan Your Remote Company Retreat at a New Jersey Resort

As a remote company, you and your team probably spend a lot of time indoors and behind a screen. Get back to your roots and connect with nature at the adventure-filled Frogbridge natural resort! With the Newark International Airport a short distance away, Frogbridge is easy to get to for your team members that may be coming in domestically or even internationally! Start planning your company’s next adventure by clicking here or calling (609) 208-9475.

Joanna Brooks

Group of seniors playing an outdoor game

June 16, 2021

Fun Outdoor Team Building Games Your Employees Will Love

Team building games and activities are supposed to be educational and enjoyable. They help employees learn more about their colleagues and how to work better in a team environment. Whether you want to use these games for new hire orientation or bring your team closer together, there are fun and innovative ways to do this. At Frogbridge Events, we know that not everyone will be excited about team-building activities, so we compiled a list of fun outdoor team-building games your employees will love!

Scavenger Hunt

Break the group into two or more teams, and make a list of tasks for the teams to complete. Tasks can include taking a picture with a stranger, climbing a tree, or finding a specific plant. Whichever team completes the most tasks wins. You can even create your point systems according to task difficulty. It’s an excellent way for employees to bond and work together.

The Human Knot

Have everyone stand in a circle facing each other, shoulder to shoulder. Then, employees will put their hands out and grab the hand from someone across the circle. The group then has to untangle themselves without releasing their hands. If the group is too large, consider breaking it into smaller circles and have both teams compete. It is a great exercise to show the power of teamwork.

The Perfect Square

All you need to do the perfect square activity is a long piece of rope and blindfolds for each person. Have your coworkers stand in a circle, each holding a piece of the rope. Instruct your employees to put on their blindfolds and set the rope on the ground. Everyone will walk a short distance away from the rope. They then have to walk back, find the rope, and form a square out of it. To make it more challenging, have some team members stay silent. This activity is great to build upon communication and leadership skills.

The Mine Field

Find an open space and place objects like cones, balls, or bottles sporadically across the field. Have people pair up or split the group into teams of two. One person wears a blindfold and can’t speak, while the other leads them through the maze using only verbal instructions, such as right, left, straight, or back.

The Egg Drop

Split everyone into groups of three to five people and give each team an uncooked egg. Have a pile of supplies and give them 20 minutes to build a contraption around the egg that will keep it from breaking when dropped. Some suggestions for supplies are tape, pencils, packing material, newspapers, and rubber bands. The egg drop game is a way for team members who do not get to work together often put their heads together to solve a problem.

Book Your Perfect Outdoor Company Event at Frogbridge Events

Bring your employees and guests together for a fun outdoor company picnic at Frogbridge Events! Our corporate event venues in Central NJ can help you customize your event to ensure your guests have a fantastic experience while engaging in team-building exercises and activities.

Our expansive resort sits in Central New Jersey on 86 acres of picturesque views and various amenities, including tennis courts, kayaks, pools, and more. We guarantee that your team has never experienced a company event quite like this. To learn more about our outdoor retreat, call (609) 316-5901 or complete our contact form. We can’t wait to see you at Frogbridge Events!

Joanna Brooks

August 30, 2017

Fall Team Building Activities

David

March 15, 2017

Spring Team Building Activities to Boost Employee Morale

Scott Gersten

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