Team-building exercises are integral to any leadership retreat or business workshop. These activities allow your team to get to know each other better and bond outside work. They can also help teach valuable lessons that translate into everyday operations, such as communication and problem-solving. They challenge your team to use their mental and physical abilities to develop creative solutions to various tasks. Looking for some engaging team-building exercises for your next leadership retreat? Check out these activities!
Photo Scavenger Hunt
A scavenger hunt allows your team to enjoy the great outdoors and explore our conference facility, which is nestled on 48 acres of lush landscaping, tranquil gardens, walking trails, and Lake Gem. For this activity, break into small groups and hand each group a list of 15 to 20 items they may find around the property, such as birds, flowers, specific colored stones, and other wildlife. Give everyone about 30 minutes to explore the area and take photos of as many items off the list as they can. Encourage your team to bond as they walk around the property, discussing commonalities and getting to know each other better.
Interpretive Drawings
This indoor game can be done anywhere but works best for groups seated at tables of six to ten people. The goal is to show your team how the same image can be interpreted differently and the importance of providing clear and precise instructions when completing a task. Fill several jars with slips of paper with the names of simple drawings (think geometric shapes, stick figures, and doodles) and place a jar on each table. Then, give everyone several pieces of paper and writing utensils. One volunteer at each table selects a slip of paper and draws what’s it without showing anyone else. Have another volunteer take the picture the first person drew and describe it to the rest of the table (without them looking at it). Everyone else at the table must draw the picture based solely on the second volunteer’s oral description of the drawing, trying to create the original drawing to the best of their abilities. Set a timer to give the game more urgency. Once the timer goes off, have everyone share their pictures, the original drawing, and what was on the slip. Discuss the differences between the paper, the original image, and everyone’s interpretation of the image. Play this game in multiple rounds so everyone has a chance to provide instructions. Then, discuss how communication styles differ between teammates.
Who Am I?
This icebreaker game encourages your team to interact with each other. First, write out several name tags with names of fictional or historical characters on them. Theme the game by choosing characters from a specific genre, such as cartoon characters, superheroes, or biblical figures. Hand out the name tags (face down) and instruct each player to place them on their backs without looking. Then, encourage your group to mingle around the room, treating those they come in contact with as the character listed on their nametag. The object of the game is to guess who is on your nametag based on everyone else’s behavior towards you. Anyone who correctly guesses their character can sit out.
Recess Time
Give your team unstructured time to let loose and have fun! Set up a series of classic recess games inside and outside the facility, such as “Head’s Up Seven Up,” kickball, four square, chalk, and bubbles. There are no rules—it’s guilt-free time to act like a kid! Encourage your team to discuss their favorite childhood memories with others during this time.
Team Building and Leadership Retreats with Canterbury Conference Center
Canterbury Conference Center is the perfect place to host your leadership retreat, with a wide range of facilities to accommodate youth and adult groups of up to 200 people. We have everything you need to make your next leadership conference, church retreat, or corporate workshop successful! Call us at 407-365-5571 to learn how we can help you plan your next event. Or, request an online quote from us here.
