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If you’ve ever sat through a Friday meeting where half the room is already mentally out the door, you know that most teams could use a little something different to recharge. Not another Zoom call, not a box of donuts—something that gets people moving, laughing, and feeling “human” again. This is where outdoor team building activities come in.
That’s where nature and our new TrackMate feature comes in.
At ExoTrails, we built TrackMate to make outdoor adventures more connected and more fun. And our Challenge mode? It’s the ultimate secret weapon for turning a simple team walk into a memorable, energizing event. No complicated logistics. No rented venues. Just the trail, the team, and a friendly dash of competition.
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- Strong, Soft, and Solo: A Guide to Empowering Trips for Women in Vietnam
- Beyond the Spa: A Guide to Creating Your Own Vietnam Wellness Retreats
How challenges transform outdoor team building activities
Here’s the thing: not every team is made of marathon runners. That’s the beauty of Challenge. It’s inclusive, relaxed, and designed to meet people where they are—whether they’re walking, jogging, or stopping to take photos along the way. It makes for one of the most accessible outdoor team building activities you can plan.
You simply open the ExoTrails, start a challenge, invite your teammates (up to 15 total), and hit the trail. Everyone’s live location shows up on the map, making the experience interactive in real time. As the challenge unfolds, you can see who’s pulling ahead, who’s making a comeback and who may be stopping for a snack halfway through.
How TrackMate simplifies planning for outdoor team building activities
There’s something powerful about being with your team outside the confines of screens and Slack threads. On the trail, titles fall away. Conversations flow. And competition becomes camaraderie, especially through outdoor team building activities.
TrackMate’s Challenge mode makes it all easy:
- Set it and forget it: One person creates the challenge, picks a trail, and invites the rest. No long emails, no gear lists – just tap and go.
- See each other move: With live GPS tracking, everyone can follow the action (and gently roast the late stragglers).
- Celebrate together: At the end, the app generates a Leaderboard and Podium, along with full fitness stats, perfect for bragging rights, team photos, or a cheeky internal award.
- Repeatable and scalable: Whether it’s a wellness kickoff, offsite afternoon, or casual Friday tradition, it’s easy to do again (and again).
Interns vs. Managers? Yes, Please.
One of my favourite recent stories came from a startup team who used Group Challenge during a company retreat. This is a great example of successful outdoor team building activities. The interns, to no one’s surprise, ran the entire loop in record time. But the surprise MVP? A product manager who hadn’t run in years but made it to the podium and he then brought pastries for everyone after.
That’s what this is really about. Not who finishes first, but how we show up for each other, outside of the inbox.
We built TrackMate to remove the friction from outdoor planning so getting outside feels more like a fun impulse and less like a project. With Challenge, your team doesn’t need to be fit, fast, or even particularly outdoorsy. They just need a trail, some sneakers, and a little curiosity to enjoy these outdoor team building activities.
Because at the end of the day, movement builds momentum and momentum builds stronger teams.
Conclusion
In the end, the most effective outdoor team building activities are the ones that feel less like a mandatory event and more like a shared adventure. By removing the logistical headaches and adding a layer of friendly competition, tools like TrackMate help teams connect on a human level. It’s about building stronger bonds, not just checking a box—and it all starts with a simple walk outside.
Ready to boost your team’s morale? Join our community of explorers in the ExoTrails Facebook Group and follow the ExoTrails Fanpage for daily inspiration and trail tips!
FAQs
What are good outdoor team building activities?
Hiking challenges, outdoor scavenger hunts, kayaking or canoeing, and group volunteer days are all excellent options for team building.
Is hiking a good team building exercise?
Yes, it’s a fantastic exercise that promotes communication, problem-solving, and a sense of shared accomplishment in a relaxed, natural environment.
How do you organize a company wellness challenge?
Use an app like ExoTrails‘ TrackMate to pick a trail, invite participants, and track progress automatically, which simplifies the entire process.
What is the best app for tracking a team event?
ExoTrails‘ TrackMate feature is ideal, offering live GPS tracking for groups, a leaderboard, and individual stats in one easy-to-use interface.
How can I make my company’s retreat more fun?
Incorporate a low-pressure outdoor activity like a friendly hiking challenge to encourage movement, laughter, and natural team bonding away from the office.
