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Expedition-Based Programs Summary:
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Length
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3 days and longer
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Impact on organization
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Significant, self-perpetuating
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Behavioral change
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Extensive
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Details
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Mobility is key. Often incorporate rock climbing or ropes course into back packing, sailing or canoeing expedition. Longer programs allow time to build personal and professional relationships and directly address workplace issues.
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Sample Program:
Expedition Programs are significant forays into change. A three-day sample program may look like this. Goals: Change Management and Communication.
Day one: Travel to an Outward Bound facility and gear up for a two-night adventure into the desert. Gear, training, and group process are introduced and distributed. The adventure begins with time for self assessment, the introduction of diagnostic tools used by the team and basic backcountry lessons. Activities and the entire day are recapped and lessons are revealed.
Day two: A challenge activity is used (such as rock climbing or cross-country navigation) to simulate challenge and perceived risk in the work environment. All the while, Outward Bound staff are working to bring home the lessons of the challenge and ongoing problem solving and group activities.
Day three: While the group travels back out of the desert, the lessons of challenge, teamwork and leadership are applied into the workplace and the team & individual patterns of communication and leadership. In addition to the ongoing assessment instruments used on course, the team typically benefits from a shared, depthful experience that challenges them in more ways than just the physical. In fact, many participants report that the social, mental, emotional challenges and their successful completion are the strongest factors in returning to work re-energized, renewed and ready to make change. Outward Bound is ready to plan for ongoing followup and facilitation work in organizations that complete Expedition Programs.
