Corporate “rafting retreats” is a fresh approach to team building. By using guided 8 person rafts as the classroom… different settings, with different rules are created… thereby inviting the workplace roles to change!  At the Grand River Rafting Company each corporate retreat is custom-designed to assist in skill set development, amenity services and budget considerations.

The Grand River Rafting Company, in Paris, Ontario, specializes in creating customized packages to fit corporate group needs… in addition to their unique outdoor team experiences, they can arrange for meeting rooms, fine or casual dining and overnight accommodations. Besides rafting, groups can choose golfing, platform fishing, spring whitewater rafting, evening/moonlight paddles, cycling and hiking excursions.

The teams building “quests” are designed to be low in intimidation, but high in imagination. The rafts require no skills… there are no tipping risks or size restrictions…  everyone can play in safety. Yet, within the quest, leaders can become followers… and followers can become leaders. There is the opportunity for different people to shine and different people to be recognized. 

There is one more experience that happens in team-designated rafts, not found with similar outings in canoes or kayaks… the camaraderie of experiencing everything together. People are literally in the same boat… paddling the same direction… suddenly facing the same obstacles… and the same consequences. This risk free outdoor environment permits laughter over mistakes… with the opportunity to try again. There is a different spirit here… a change from the every day race. 

 Additional perspective can be gained by implementing the choice to include more formal teambuilding infrastructure tools as offered by the Myers-Briggs or True Colors approaches. By simply changing a player’s position, there is an interactive demonstration of temperaments. The outdoor quests put everybody in a new playing field. Everyone gets mixed up… and a new team has to sort itself out in order to complete the challenges ahead. Some are successful and some are not. Meanwhile, all have fun trying and have a meaningful demonstration of personality differences at work!  We believe that this is where community healthiness in the workplace begins. One day of team building will not change the world… but it can gently shift “arthritic” thinking.

Included with the rafting is experiencing the outdoors with short hikes, bold tastes of edible plants… and sips from fresh water springs. But the barbeques are best. On the banks of the Grand River corporate groups can enjoy a feast cooked by local chefs. The meals are a gourmet delight of marinated steak & chicken breast with all the works. Everyone can sit back in the shade of manicured lawns and soak in the riverside scenery.

Corporate groups coming from a further distance and/or looking for a multi-day getaway will find the Grand River Valley a perfect choice. There are meeting facilities, multi-outdoor adventures, great restaurants and excellent accommodations. The town of Paris is in a valley setting. It hosts a number of quaint shops and cafes along the river… and for the visiting spouses, a shopper’s delight!