Outdoor training is an experiential training method which fosters learning through active experimentation, concrete experience, reflective observation and conceptualization. Catalyst recently conducted an outdoor team building training program for senior leadership team in an inland services company with the following objective:

1. Enhancing Team Work & Collaboration
2. Building Trust
3. Effective Communication

The training was conducted in the form of an interesting game using our licensed MTa material. There were total of 40 participants. The facilitator divided them into 4 groups of 10 each. The game had various stages where they first needed to bid for the material and then design different modes of transport equipments from the materials obtained and use it to carry the specific items.

The teams were asked to divide themselves into sub teams of 5 each. While one sub team was involved in bidding and giving instructions to build the transportation material, the other sub team was responsible for cracking codes to obtain items that will be transported and build the transport equipment based on instructions provided by the other sub team. As they kept cracking the code through the puzzles, they obtain the sets of material. These were to be transported safely through the transport equipment without any loss or damage.

Level 1 – At this level the teams need to build a land transport system through which all the items obtained could be transported safely. The team which is able to walk their transport system through the rough terrain with minimum damage to their items are winner.

Level 2 – At second level, the teams need to create an ariel mode of transport which can travel from one point to another and carry the items as before. Here, the facilitator keeps introducing various complications to make the game complicated and interesting. The team which transports all items successfully is the winner.

The game is followed by a debrief where the facilitator brings out the key elements of team work, collaboration, trust and communication in the activity and helps them draw parallel to their work life.