Orienteering and Survival Team Building

Hailing from the rugged landscapes of Scandinavia, orienteering has become a worldwide phenomenon that pushes participants to their limits as they navigate unknown terrain armed only with a compass and topographical maps. This unique activity has been transformed into a thrilling team building exercise that blends strategic thinking with physical endurance, making it an ideal choice for companies looking to strengthen their teams.

The adventure takes the form of a multi-stage competition, offering a high degree of adaptability in its implementation. While traditionally carried out on foot, the experience can be customised to include canoeing or horseback riding, adding an extra dimension of excitement and challenge. The versatility of orienteering allows it to be conducted in a wide range of environments, from dense forests and rugged mountains to open fields. For a fresh take on the classic format, urban settings such as historic town centres or dynamic cityscapes can provide a fascinating backdrop.

To take the experience to the next level, survival challenges can be integrated into the orienteering tasks. These additional tests of skill and resourcefulness could include building improvised shelters, learning to start a fire without modern tools, or creating an emergency stretcher using only materials found in the immediate surroundings.

This immersive outdoor experience is engineered to develop a spectrum of essential skills and qualities within a team. Participants will find themselves sharpening their problem-solving abilities as they interpret maps and conquer obstacles. The activity inherently brings leadership qualities to the forefront, as team members rise to the challenge of guiding their groups through difficulties. Perhaps most crucially, the shared journey fosters a deep sense of camaraderie and team spirit.

As teams chart their course through the competition, they'll come to understand the significance of proactive task delegation and the effective use of each member's individual talents. This natural division of labor frequently emerges spontaneously as the group confronts and surmounts various challenges together. This orienteering and survival team building exercise is a powerful tool for organisations seeking to enhance their team's capabilities and foster professional growth. By integrating this activity into broader training initiatives, companies can create a strong foundation for developing essential skills such as effective communication, conflict resolution, negotiation tactics, and overall teamwork proficiency. The challenging yet controlled environment of this exercise provides a unique opportunity for individuals to practice and refine these crucial workplace competencies in a tangible, real-world context.