Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Field Trip Grants for Groups for Team Building Day at Ropes Course

Thank You cards from students who loved our ropes course
Are you a school group looking to come out to our team building ropes course in Buckeystown, Maryland for a day of learning and fun but need help with the financing? There are many corporate and government grants that are available.  Target, for example offers field trip grants up to $700.00 that can help you defray the cost of bringing your group to our course. Kohl's is making available grants ranging from $1,000 to $2,500 for field trips for the 2013-2014 school year.

Learning outside the classroom is a great way to engage students in a challenge-by-choice environment. Recently we welcomed Brunswick High School, Tuscarora High School, Gov. Thomas Johnson High School and Middletown High School's Special Education Departments out to our course thanks to help from a grant. The kids had such a great experience team building, they sent us "Thank You" cards in appreciation.

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

The Qualities of Leadership

As a small business owner with a team building company, I frequently contemplate my leadership roll. Over the years I have had many employees, facilitators and even clients out at the ropes course who have looked at me as more than just a boss or the leader of a team building exercise. I become their mentor. While sometimes that leadership roll can feel overwhelming, I try to bear that honor graciously knowing that my leadership skills can help others which is a truly rewarding experience.

What makes a successful leader? In my opinion, it is the ability to empower others. "All for one and one for all" the cliché goes. A well functioning team like a sports team does its best when individuals
work together as a group instead of in isolation. And as I look around, I see more and more isolation in society. We isolate in our homes never knowing our next door neighbors. We isolate in our social life using Facebook to stay in touch with "friends" over phone calls or going out to lunch. And we can isolate at work staying in our cubicle or if we telecommute at our desk in the basement.

As a leader of many different groups, it is my responsibility to draw people out, get them to open up and shine. I was inspired by Deepak Chopra's book The Soul of Leadership: Unlocking Your Potential for Greatness . He uses the acronym L.E.A.D.E.R.S. to layout the skills he believes necessary for a successful leader. These are skills that I try to use every day at my ropes course to inspire people to come out of their shells, participate as a group and feel the power that a well function group of individuals can have.