The art of team building

Unless your boss is Michael Scott on NBC's "The Office,'' chances are your work day does not include blindfolds, obstacle courses and getting lost in a big field.

Yet, for a group of coworkers recently gathered in Medford, the day featured all that and more.

The activities were designed to help create trust, alliances and fun among colleagues who work for same corporation, but not necessarily face-to-face.

Anyone watching  the group of about a dozen people frolicking in the late fall sunshine — and doing a lot of laughing — might not guess the serious purpose. It was an exercise in team-building for a contingent from Auto Trader, an online marketplace for car shoppers and sellers of new and used cars. The coworkers typically work individually, many in home offices, and communicate by computer and phone.

"We're delighted to see this place used for this purpose," said Susan Miller, marketing and communications director for YMCA Camp Ockanickon in Medford, where kids cavort all summer, and adults are increasingly gathering for these team-building days.

"The place lends itself to giving co-workers an opportunity to experience relationship-building, character-building, goal-setting and most of all, teamwork and trust," said Miller.

For the corporate group from Auto Traders, that was clearly happening as they went through a full day of experiences they'd never have at their home offices or at their monthly on-site meetings.

Earlier in the day, Auto Trader participants had their own indoor meeting, participating in "ice-breaker'' exercises.

After a lunch provided by the camp, it was out to the fields and woods to participate in outdoor activities led by Ockanickon's Matt Gurtsen, program coordinator.

Down a dirt road, past a couple of Ockanickon administrative buildings and an earthen bridge, participants found themselves doing things most have never done before.

Gurtsen encouraged members of the group to try various team games so they could understand first-hand what trust and teamwork really mean.

The group, divided into two teams, immediately got into the fun and the fray.

Among the challenges:

— Walking blindfolded over somewhat irregular terrain, guided by verbal cues from a teammate. As simple as this may sound, it involves a lot of trust and confidence on the part of the person being led, and tests the skills of the "guide" in issuing clear, coherent directions.

— Team rivalry that involved finding a wayward ball or other object, again depending on the directions of others. The laughter occasionally drowned out the instructions as these participants learned both  to trust — and to be trusted.

For some, the trust- walking was the most difficult activity. For others, it was issuing clarifying directions quickly and effectively

For Jeremy Keppler, the day was instructive and unifying, as well.

"This is a unique chance to test yourself as a team member," he said of the day's activities. "It was definitely worthwhile, and quite a lesson in intense listening."

Michele Haines of Mount Laurel found that she really liked and admired her teammates. "I think I was a little surprised to see how well we were willing to let go of some control."

Pete Sucato of Middletown found himself thinking about the benefits — and the limits — of working in a digital world, often without the benefit of community. He also conceded the day had taught him the importance of true listening.

According to Miller, the corporate world is keyed into the benefits of these experiences. The program at Ockanickon has been used by small groups such as the Auto Trader participants, and far larger groups of 50 or more.

The site even has zip lines, a 50-foot climbing tower and a swamp course.

"Getting people out into nature also can make a difference," said Gurtsen. "It's definitely freeing to be outdoors with physical space, and to 'play' again. Children learn teamwork from play, and so do adults."

Many groups choose to introduce problem-solving elements into the day, and introduce goal-setting as a team experience.

One of the Auto Trader group members summed it up: "When you're walking around blindfolded, it doesn't matter who's the boss back at work. The boss of the moment is the one who can guide you best and keep you safe."

For more information

The cost for a Team Building/Challenge Course program at Camp Ockanickon is $50 to $60 per participant, depending on the activities chosen.The site is located at 1303 Stokes Road, Medford. For complete information about arranging a team-building event, call David Kaubin at (609) 654-8225.