Great Escape: Team Building With Friends and Family

“You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation." -Plato   

Last Friday, rather than spending the afternoon at the office, our company spent it at Adventura Ropes course in Woodinville. Ropes courses typically involve climbing, jumping and crossing various obstacles-up high in the air or on the ground-sporting helmets and harnesses for safety. This is usually in the interest of team building. And facing fears.

Since I spend the vast majority of my weekday with people at work-and I like and respect one of them-I consider them friends rather than simply office mates. Our challenge for the afternoon was to follow directions, climb ropes, assist one another and move past our own self-limiting thoughts. All of this was performed high above the ground-thirty feet above to be exact.

One of my team mates and I decided to head up the ropes first, and the adventure was underway! From the time we reached the top of the platform until the last person glided down the zip-line, it was a thrill-a-minute for all. We collaborated, giggled, screamed, encouraged and supported each other.

After it was all over, we celebrated our "successes" at the Redhook Brewery, just steps away. We all agreed that we thought it would be a great activity to share with family and other friends. So get out and play-and get in touch with your "inner monkey." You'll be glad you did!