Team building activities and group entertainment ideas (Austin, McKinney: rent, how much)

[nlmueller]

I'm coordinating a multi-day team offsite for my company in Austin in early May. We'll have about 35 people converging from different locations, including some here in town, and I'd love to get some suggestions for fun things to do with a group that size (both during the day and in the evening). For example, last year we played frisbee golf at Zilker and did a lego-building challenge at Travaasa. What else should we consider?

[orngkat]

We have used McKinney Roughs for team-building and everyone seemed to enjoy. Might be hot by May though:
McKinney Roughs Nature Park: Outdoor Programs - Challenge Course

[austin-steve]

Originally Posted by nlmueller

I'm coordinating a multi-day team offsite for my company in Austin in early May. We'll have about 35 people converging from different locations, including some here in town, and I'd love to get some suggestions for fun things to do with a group that size (both during the day and in the evening). For example, last year we played frisbee golf at Zilker and did a lego-building challenge at Travaasa. What else should we consider?

Texas Parks and Wildlife has an awesome GPS search/find contest where teams use a GPS to find different locations, then have to solve a puzzle before moving to the next. Fastest time through their course wins.

With 35 people you'd probably have 3 or 4 teams. Lots of fun, and challenging too. It also revealed that the dominant know-it-all types aren't always the smartest or best problem solvers/leaders and gives the shy, more laid back less competitive people a chance to shine, especially in many of the puzzle solving challenges.

I attended one with a group staying at Hyatt Lost Pines. If you call Hyatt, they probably know the contact person. Mine was done on parkland out in Bastrop near Lost Pines but I think the facilitators travel around doing it in different places.

Steve

[RooCeleste]

Originally Posted by austin-steve

Texas Parks and Wildlife has an awesome GPS search/find contest where teams use a GPS to find different locations, then have to solve a puzzle before moving to the next. Fastest time through their course wins.

With 35 people you'd probably have 3 or 4 teams. Lots of fun, and challenging too. It also revealed that the dominant know-it-all types aren't always the smartest or best problem solvers/leaders and gives the shy, more laid back less competitive people a chance to shine, especially in many of the puzzle solving challenges.

I attended one with a group staying at Hyatt Lost Pines. If you call Hyatt, they probably know the contact person. Mine was done on parkland out in Bastrop near Lost Pines but I think the facilitators travel around doing it in different places.

Steve

This is awesome to know, Steve....my husband is a Lieutenant Game Warden and even we didn't know that TPWD offered this. Sounds like a lot of fun!

[Austin97]

Originally Posted by nlmueller

I'm coordinating a multi-day team offsite for my company in Austin in early May. We'll have about 35 people converging from different locations, including some here in town, and I'd love to get some suggestions for fun things to do with a group that size (both during the day and in the evening). For example, last year we played frisbee golf at Zilker and did a lego-building challenge at Travaasa. What else should we consider?

Not sure what kind of budget you have and how much "team building" you want. But here are some ideas (steves is a great team building idea because people work together).

zip lines: Texas Zip Lines
we rent large marge the party barge in the summer and get rudys bbq, we usually get a jetski and a skiboat as well
paintball with just your group (dont mix in outsiders)
K-1 speed indoor go kart racing (they are somewhat disorganized for corporate groups)
indoor rock climbing at austin rock gym followed by a pub crawl.
Mountain biking tour at walnut creek followed by BBQ

If you do a search for corporate team building austin you will pull up some other interesting things.

[10scoachrick]

You could sign up for emails from these folks:
Free Fun in Austin

There are usually links to paid activities in addition to the freebies.

[EzPeterson]

I've done the following with my teams:

Schlitterbahn (probably a little early in the year for you). If it's warm, it's a really good laid back time.

The Party Barge on LT, or the Sunset cruise on Lake Austin with Rudy's. Both are solid social outings. The Lake Austin tour is less of a party and more of a sunset cruise. LT is more about drinking and swimming. The transport logisitics can be "fun" to work out with LT, and much easier for Lake Austin.

K-1. We did a 50 person group and had a ton of fun. Works with very competitve groups, not so much of a team-building.

Paintball. Works great if you have a younger, more active group. You will end up with bruises and welts. Might not be the best bet with some groups.

Alamo Drafthouse for one of their "quote-a-longs" or "event" movies.

I've got to try Steve's TPWD idea this year!

[hoffdano]

The new "iFly" indoor skydiving place looks like great fun.

[austin-steve]

Originally Posted by hoffdano

The new "iFly" indoor skydiving place looks like great fun.

But how does that build teamwork? It's like a solo amusement ride where people just take turns.
Steve

[phone man]

My wife's job has a deal at Reunion Ranch in Georgetown each year.