TEAM BUILDING & ROPES COURSE PROGRAMS
We give teams effective tools and model the encouragement that's necessary to reach their potential.
YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
SWIM, SPORTS & REC:
THINK OUTSIDE OF THE BOX
Hockomock Area YMCA has been providing the local community with team building and ropes course programs for over 30 years. Our programs serve students from all school ages, colleges, local businesses, and teams of all types. Whether your group is established or coming together for the first time, our programs provide a fun, rewarding, and memorable experience for all.
Our enthusiastic staff provides a fun and safe environment for your team. We set the tone by encouraging everyone to get active, laugh, collaborate, and celebrate together. Based on your group’s goals, our staff choose initiatives, challenges, and reflections for your program that build on each other throughout the day.
Participants are encouraged to step outside their comfort zones, recognize each other’s strengths, share ideas, take on different roles, show support, and listen to others. Most importantly, our staff take time to discuss and reflect on what the group has learned and how to apply that to the next challenge. Creating a model for lessons that last.
With ropes courses at our North Attleboro, Franklin, and Foxboro branches, we are always able to host your program locally. Our programs take place outside, away from desks and phones. So your Team can connect in meaningful ways and build relationships. We are able to focus on your group’s goals. Everyone’s needs and goals are different but common themes and benefits include:
Benefits
Consider the list of topics we have focused on in the past, or let us work with you to design a day that meets your needs. To download a Teambuilding and Ropes Program brochure, click here.
Consider the list of topics we have focused on in the past, or let us work with you to design a day that meets your needs.
- Team Building
- Improved Communication Skills
- Leadership Training
- Developing a Community of Respect
- Social-Emotional Learning and Awareness
- Creative Problem Solving
- Improved Self-esteem
- Generating Feedback / Reacting to Feedback
- Setting Goals
- Removing Blame Culture
- Superior Team Performance
- Developing Trust
LET’S GET STARTED
We want to prepare a great experience for your team.
PROGRAMMING OPTIONS
Adventures in Respect
Our flagship program, Adventures in Respect (AIR) is focused on building healthy communities from a young age. Designed for middle school students, AIR have two focuses –bullying-prevention & vaping awareness. Our message to young people is that everyone deserves to be respected and accepted for all of the things that make them unique. 92% of participants report taking away a positive lesson back to their community.
Anchor: Social & Emotional Learning
Developing self-awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making is essential at a young age. Our Anchor introduces elementary & middle school students to these ideas. Our staff provide high-quality monthly SEL programs in the classroom –with a trip to the ropes course included, of course.
Customized Programming
Your group is unique. We always tailor Team Building programs to fit your group, but our Team Building Experts can also start from scratch to design a program specifically for you. Using the information provided on our Needs Assessment, our staff will plan a day of activities designed around your goals.
Field Days
Our fantastic properties are perfect for your next Field Trip. Your school can take advantage of our fields, pools, and ropes courses for a day of fun and laughter. Our staff are able to provide programming for the day such as games or climbing. Alternatively, your staff can facilitate your own great activities.
Mobile Programs
Whether providing our curriculum-based programs or custom programming, our staff can come to your school or office and provide the same great programming – minus the ropes course, of course!
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT
Introduction & Large Group Games
The day will begin with some brief introductory activities meant to physically warm up participants and break down small social barriers within the group. This will be followed by a safety talk as well as expectations for behavior, participation, and treatment of the facilities, staff, fellow participants, and themselves. (Duration: 30 mins. – 1 hour)
Team Building
After the introduction portion of the program, participants will move into small groups. Facilitators present icebreakers and problem-solving activities for the group to complete collaboratively. These activities are intentionally chosen to meet a purpose such as teamwork, breaking down barriers, communication, or goal setting. They require brainstorming, creative thinking, and collaboration. (Duration: 1 – 2 hours)
Low Ropes
These structures (or elements) are built low to the ground. Participants must accomplish a specific task together. This will require putting the skills they have been developing during their small group teambuilding time to the test. Low ropes does not require a safety system. Instead, participants are responsible for working together to keep each other safe (under our staff’s watchful eye, of course!). Emphasis here is on communication, trust, group effort, and cooperation. (Duration: 1 – 2 hours)
High Ropes
After participants have moved through multiple phases of problem solving activities, they will move forward into a culminating experience – high ropes. Participants wear harnesses and helmets and focus on individual accomplishments. High ropes can be physically and mentally challenging to program participants. Often time participants require encouragement from other participants in order to be successful. These activities serve the purpose of allowing for individual achievement, while creating an atmosphere that encourages positive reinforcement from the other program participants. (Duration: 1 – 2 hours)
Group Debrief
After participants have completed all of the day’s program portions we come together for a large group debrief. This is a time for individuals to provide feedback, reflect on personal lessons learned, and discuss successes in a safe group environment. The goal is to perform an honest assessment of where the group is at and to identify areas for continued growth. (Duration: 15 – 30 minutes)
HOW TO BOOK YOUR PROGRAM
Contact Us Today
To learn more about options offered for your group or to book a day, please complete the inquiry form click here. Our director of Outdoor Eduction will contact you shortly to discuss discuss how our programs can best meet your group’s needs & goals.
OTHER WAYS TO STRENGTHEN TEAM
Strategic team building provides practical ways to figure out how to work together, and the Y can help in many ways.
Onsite Team Building
Our team building program can be delivered to your doorstep. All we need is your team and a room at your facility. Though it’s a small setup, huge insights will result! A fun learning environment, may include portable low course elements.
Volunteer Together
Volunteering is a great way to give back and grow stronger as a team. Solidify your shared commitment to community and learn how to work together (and have fun!). Volunteer as a group at a YMCA 5K, participate in camp cleanup day, and so many other ways. Contact realimpact@hockymca.org for details.
Exercise as a Team
Train for a 5K, schedule a regular team workout or meeting with our trainers, or put a team together for our Triathlon. There are so many benefits to encouraging workplace wellness.
Compete as a Team
Stay healthy while improving morale. What a great bonding opportunity, to compete as a team in YMCA basketball, volleyball and softball leagues. Opportunities exist for all ages.
Embark on Adventure
Each summer we offer adventure trips like white water rafting in Maine and backpacking in New Hampshire’s White Mountains. See details in the camp guide or contact the outdoor education team. We also offer rock climbing trips, which is a great way to build trust.
