These days, it seems like everyone is indoors, plastered in front of screens. Whether it’s at home or at work, just about everyone is staring at some kind of screen, whether it’s the television, the computer, or a mobile device. Even on what is supposed to be a relaxing trip, people are cooped up indoors, surrounded by technology and other noises, unable to really enjoy the experience. Do you want to give your team an experience that they’ll truly remember? Give them a once-in-a-lifetime outdoor incentive trip. Here are a few of the benefits of an outdoor incentive trip for your team.
Get Some Exercise
It has long been known that physical activity is good for your health. It helps to lower blood pressure and reduce instances of heart attack and obesity. But when your employees are indoors all day at the office, and then stay indoors once they get home, only wanting to relax, their activity level is limited. Taking an outdoor incentive trip gets your employees out into the fresh air and moving. And this activity is not only good for physical health, it is also good for mental health. Your employees will return with less stress and a fresh mind.
Learn Coping Mechanisms
In the office, your employees have been told what to do when things do not go as planned, and they are prepared for a variety of different, but specific, situations. But what happens when something goes wrong that hasn’t been planned for? With an outdoor incentive trip, the only thing that can be expected is the unexpected, and your employees are placed in a situation where anything can happen. As a result, they learn how to deal with uncertainty, and this is a skill they can bring back to work with them.
Try Something New
If it weren’t for your planned trip, how many of your employees would go out of their way to take their own outdoor adventure? Chances are, not many of them. Your outdoor trip is the perfect opportunity for them to try something new, something they never thought they’d ever do before, which is a very exciting prospect for many people. With this trip, your employees could find a new hobby, which in turn, helps them to become happier individuals.
Build Confidence
Going on an exciting adventure trip is a fantastic opportunity to build confidence. Your employees get to try their hand at something new. They learn new skills. As they become better at the activity, they gain confidence. This confidence can then be used in the workplace. Employees that were once too shy or scared to do a task before will find themselves putting themselves out there to get the job done in a new setting…skills that you’ll see back in the office once the trip is over.
Increase Teamwork
Many outdoor trips require your employees to work together to achieve a common goal. Everyone must communicate and rely on one another. Not only that, but an outdoor trip creates a shared memory, which helps to create a stronger team dynamic.
Team-Friendly Outdoor Incentive Trip Ideas
So, where can you take your team to get away from the hum and glow of technology and immerse them in a brand-new experience? There are all kinds of team-friendly outdoor trips you can take. If you want to keep it more low key, take them to the mountains for a hiking excursion, or go to a lake for some canoeing. You may want to consider taking them camping for a true outdoor experience. Head to the beach (Aruba or Mexico are great places to start!) for paddle-boarding or surfing. For some intense excitement, take your team whitewater rafting or rock-climbing.
Pro tip: Banf, Canada, made our list of Top Incentive Destinations in 2017. It’s THE spot for taking your team hiking, white water rafting, horseback riding, and more in a gorgeous North American locale.
Taking your team out of the office and getting them into nature is a surefire way to reinvigorate them. With fresh air, time to reflect, and activities they have never experienced before, your employees will not only remember the trip for years to come, they will be a better team when they return. If an outdoor adventure sounds like something you’d like to plan for your employees, contact MTI Events today. We can help you plan and implement the outdoor incentive trip of a lifetime.
Not sure if an incentive trip is right for your company? Check out the many ways an incentive vacation can boost employee productivity and sales!
