Team Building Activities
Astronomy
The Nature Place Observatory has the one of largest telescopes in Colorado (17 1/2 inch telescope), which provides an excellent opportunity for the exploration of celestial objects and the cosmos. Looking out to the stars, and back in time, provides us with an opportunity to expand perspectives of the universe, our potential, and ourselves. Astronomy works well when linked with the Five Billion Year Walk. Time Frame: 1-2 hours
Organizational Benefits:
-Renewal of the sense of wonder
-Insight into the limits of human knowledge
-Visualization of an open and endless future
-Leadership perspectives & personal growth
-Fosters boundless creativity
-An unforgettable evening with your peers
“I have often felt that to an astronomer, man is nothing more than an insignificant dot in an infinite universe. But then I realize that the insignificant dot who is man is also the astronomer.” -Albert Einstein
Five Billion Year Walk
The Nature Place is located in an area rich in geological history. This provides a unique environment in which to study time and how it relates to personal development and organizational culture. During the Five Billion Year Walk we take an interactive journey from the past to the present, looking at the continual change in Earth's history. A second timeline focuses on recorded human history. Your organization's timeline is then created to discover how it has arrived at the place called "now" and what additional steps are needed to achieve the "desired future." Time Frame: 2 hours
Organizational Benefits:
-Evolution of consciousness and the need for conscious evolution in our organizations and lives.
-The relevance of change, order, & chaos
-Sustainability
-The importance of individual creativity, decision and action
-Significance of economic decisions
-Future design
-Leadership perspectives, team building, & personal growth
-A fun and unique way to share your corporate culture with new employees
-An effective way to create a new corporate culture
High Ropes Challenge Course 
The High Ropes training system provides a safe environment for groups to experience an exciting team challenge. With qualified instructors, teams work through obstacles 20 to 30 feet above the ground. Unforgettable experiences in commitment, effective risk taking, and group support help expand personal limits, create self-confidence and build trust. Time Frame: 3 – 8 hours
Organizational Benefits:
-Trust in others
-Trust in self
-Remove personal barriers
-Effective coaching
-Distinguish real risk from perceived risk
-Effective communication
-Teamwork and personal growth
-Promotes focus
-An unforgettable bonding experience
“When you can do the common things of life in an uncommon way, you will command the attention of the world.” -George W. Carver
Orienteering 
A clearly identified goal and the ability to reach it are hallmarks of successful people and organizations. Orienteering is the process of finding one's way through unfamiliar territory using compasses, topographic maps, GPS, common sense, effective teamwork and leadership. In this exercise the team will find its way through the forest and meadows of The Nature Place property with one of our trained facilitators. This exercise can also be paired with the Insights Discovery System and designed as a competition. Time Frame: 2-8 hours
Organizational Benefits:
-Team collaboration
-Goal achievement
-Communication
-Problem-solving
-Effective leadership
-When to Lead – when to follow
-Change management within a changing environment
-Development of Roles and Responsibilities
Rock Climbing
Rock Climbing, using technical climbing gear and expert instruction, is an enormously rewarding personal and team experience. This adventurous activity builds confidence and enhances group support. Time Frame: 4-8 hours
Organizational Benefits:
-Distinguish real risk from perceived risk
-Trust in self
-Trust in others
-Teamwork
-Effective communication
-Personal growth
-Effective Coaching
The Forest Walk 
A healthy organization resembles a healthy forest. It is sustainable, adaptable, respects its resources, and is an innovative web of interconnections. An exploratory walk through our Montane Forest exposes us to a research and development laboratory that is several million years old, illustrating nature’s unparalleled use of diversity, efficiency, innovation, and change management. By examining specific species in our forests, we see the importance of interconnections and how a change in one affects all. A naturalist will guide you through this easy walk to explain the various systems of the forest and help your organization use this activity as a metaphor for your business. Time Frame: 90 minutes - 3 hours
Organizational Benefits:
-Understanding interconnections
-Systems thinking
-Ways to adapt to change
-Efficient use of resources
-Creating a climate for innovation
-The forest as a metaphor for an effective team
-This is a great exercise to launch a discussion about your organization's sustainability and ways to innovate in today's fast changing environment.
-Use the new science of Biomimicry to help capitalize on nature's most ingenious solutions and to help our organizations become more efficient in the future.
“In the woods we return to reason and faith.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson