Outdoor Adventure Team Building Programs

Adirondack Exposure - click here to return to home page

Team Building

Our Team Building Program puts the classroom in the outdoors!

This three-day program builds trust and respect between your team members, develops communication and listening skills, and works on conflict resolution and time management through an expedition canoe trip in the Adirondack Park. The ultimate goal of the program is for the team to complete an overnight canoe trip without any outside aid or leadership. The program breaks down into four parts over the course of three days.
Part One:
The program begins with individual learning: all members of the team are taught everything that is needed in order to plan and execute an overnight expedition canoe trip. Topics covered are proper paddling technique, loading and portaging a canoe, on-water navigation, expedition gear and food packing, and setting up and breaking down camp.

Part Two:
Later in the day, members of the team are put into small groups where they work on the logistics for the trip. Each group is in charge of one aspect of the trip. These aspects include planning the route to be taken, planning a menu, shopping for trip food and re-packing it, and choosing and packing expedition gear.

Part Three:
The plan is now put into action, with everyone using their newly acquired skills. As a team they must get from point A to point B utilizing each person’s strengths. The team is responsible for loading the canoes, navigating their way to the campsite, setting up camp, cooking and cleaning up for themselves, breaking camp the next morning, repacking canoes, portaging canoes, and navigating to the takeout. There is a licensed guide on the trip, but the guide is there only as support, and not as a trip leader.

Part Four:
This last part of the program focuses on reflection and discussion. The team reflects on how everyone interacted and faced challenges as a team. Participants discuss parts of the trip that went well, parts that did not, and why.

The program includes all lodging (nights one and three at a local resort, night two at a campsite) and all meals, camping fees, transportation to and from the water, all equipment, instructor, facilitator, and NYS licensed guide. To set up a program for your team, or for more information and cost, please email or call 315-335-1681. Custom Team Building Programs are also available with other outdoor activities; please contact us for more information.