At Camptown, we’ve always believed that outdoor activities can challenge and inspire young people in ways that traditional classrooms often cannot. Recently, we experienced firsthand just how powerful team-building exercises can be—not only in promoting collaboration but also in healing fractured relationships.
Since the start of the school year, we have visited all 7 IPS middle schools to run team-building programs. During one of these visits, broke the students into small groups to participate in a few team building activities. It wasn’t long before we noticed tension between four of the girls. They were exchanging accusations and harsh words, and it was clear that a conflict was brewing. The air felt heavy with the possibility of a fight.
We asked the girls if they felt ready to take part in the activities and if they believed they could work together. After a moment of hesitation, they all agreed to try.
The first activity was called Bull Ring. It’s a simple task that involves working as a team to move a tennis ball suspended by strings. To succeed, the group needed to communicate and coordinate their efforts. Despite the earlier tension, the girls worked together smoothly, completing the task faster than most groups we had seen. As smiles began to replace frowns,
we could see the shift happening right in front of us. We praised them for their quick work, and the group started to gain confidence.
By the second task, the girls were genuinely excited to see how fast they could finish it. Once again, they succeeded with ease. We took the opportunity to encourage them, pointing out how mature and collaborative they had been. The group cheered and laughed together, and it was clear that their energy had shifted from frustration to pride. The girls
were impressed with themselves and each other, sharing compliments and recognizing the power of teamwork. They admitted they had listened to one another and stayed calm, even when things got tricky.
What happened next surprised us all. The two girls who had been the most antagonistic toward each other at the beginning shared a private conversation away from the group, exchanged smiles, and walked down the stairs together—side by side.
While not every session ends with such a remarkable transformation, this experience shows how Camptown’s programs can make a real difference in kids’ relationships. By focusing on teamwork and communication, we provide opportunities for young people to develop skills that go beyond outdoor challenges, helping them navigate their personal relationships as well.
Team building is often associated with improving group efficiency and collaboration, but this experience reminds us of its deeper, often overlooked value: the ability to repair and strengthen personal relationships. In this case, a simple exercise not only helped the girls work together but also allowed them to move past their differences and build mutual respect.
How does something as simple as a team building exercise make such a deep impact? Here are a few reasons we’ve observed:
- Encouraging Vulnerability:When we put young people in situations where they have to rely on each other, the
y’re often more willing to let their guard down. This opens the door for authentic connection and, sometimes, reconciliation. - Building Empathy: Shared challenges help participants see things from one another’s perspective. When we work together, it’s easier to appreciate each other’s strengths, which fosters empathy and understanding.
- Developing Communication Skills: Team-building exercises require open dialogue and careful listening. These skills are essential not just for teamwork but for resolving conflicts and building deeper relationships.
- Positive Reinforcement: Celebrating successes together creates a supportive environment where participants can shift from focusing on differences to acknowledging each other’s contributions. In this case, thegirls went from arguing to passing around genuine compliments, creating an atmosphere of camaraderie.
We are constantly energized by creating opportunities for constructive change in the students we serve. One of the main reasons we can continue this work is thanks to incredible supporters like you. In fact, 95% of our programs are subsidized, meaning our partners only pay a fraction of the cost, while students participate entirely for free. Breakthroughs like the one in this story are why we do what we do, and it’s because of supporters like you that we’re able to make them happen.