It's team building time!
Do you have a work event coming up and need to build your group skills? Or do you just want to set some time aside for your staff to get to know each other outside of the office? Eau Claire has a number of different options for every group.
1. Try an Escape Room
For those uninitiated to escape rooms, the basic premise is your group is "locked" in a room and there are a series of clues you must work through to get out before the time is up. Some may laugh at this as team building, but think about it: communication, listening, problem-solving, analytical skills. All of those skills are needed in most jobs, and you'll need all to work well to escape the room. Another great thing about escape rooms is they are usually reasonably do-able for all physical abilities, unlike some team-building activities.
There are two different choices for escape rooms in the Chippewa Valley. Centrally located in Eau Claire is Tactical Escape 101, located in Oakwood Mall, which features a number of different rooms. The company also owns escape rooms in Rice Lake and Hayward, if your team building adventure takes you that direction. Another option in Eau Claire is Escape EC. Located on Clairemont on the west side of the city, they also offer several rooms for your group to choose from.
2. Check out a high (or low) ropes course
Did you know that UW- Eau Claire owns and runs the Environmental Adventure Center, and it's available for non-university groups? You'll get trained leaders in group development, and can customize your experience based on group needs and abilities. Ground initiatives and a low-ropes course include activities that are entirely on the ground or that utilize structures no more than a foot high.
A high ropes course is also available, which includes a safety system, and activities that are anywhere from 20 - 30 feet off the ground. Have a particularly adventurous group? Make it a full day with both low ropes and high ropes activities.
3. Make some horse friends at Trinity Equestrian
Do you work with a group that likes animals… Specifically horses? Trinity Equestrian Center, just south of Eau Claire, offers both team building workshops and leadership workshops for groups. You can spend a half- or full-day working with their trained staff and the animals to strengthen your group.
4. Do just about anything at Action City
If you are part of a group that likes to get physical, then Action City undoubtedly has an activity for you. The bigger question becomes which activity will your group do? There's a trampoline park, indoor and outdoor go-carts, bumper cars, bowling, laser tag, outdoor mini golf and more. Besides the variety of activities that your group can partake in, it's also easy to set up food during your group outing.
5. Give back to the community and volunteer
Volunteering as a group is a great way to both give back to the community and bond as a team. Fortunately, there are a lot of different places that make it easy for groups to volunteer. One of my favorites is working on a home build with the Chippewa Valley Habitat for Humanity. The organization makes it easy to sign up and days and times are flexible, and bonus, you really get to know your coworkers when they are wielding power tools.
Another great place to volunteer as a group is the Community Table in downtown Eau Claire. The Community Table serves a warm meal to everyone who comes in, 365 days a year. You'll help prepare and serve a meal, including all the set-up and clean-up. The great part is, you'll work as a large group to make sure the meal runs, but you'll break into pairs or threes to get individual tasks done, allowing you to get to know your coworkers on a more personal level.
Know of another great activity for team building? Let us know in the comments!
While you're out building bonds with your team, don't forget to take lots of pictures and share them with us using #CaptureEC.