Central Florida is no ordinary meeting destination, and neither are its team-building options. In a place where you can host a group breakfast in France or evening reception in the Canadian Rockies—courtesy of Epcot—or schedule breakout sessions with vintage aircraft as the backdrop, a la Fantasy of Flight in Polk City, it’s a safe bet that team building goes beyond the ordinary as well—and sometimes even beyond the bounds of terra firma.
Rocking the Team
When trust and cooperation is the goal, rock climbing just might be the best teacher. At Aiguille Rock Climbing Center in Longwood, due north of Orlando, teams of two are required to successfully navigate an indoor rock wall that ranges in height from 28 to 36 feet. While one person climbs up and rappels down, the other belays, or manages the safety rope. No experience is necessary, and there are no age or fitness restrictions. Instruction and equipment are provided, and more than one team at a time can climb.
“We also have blindfolded climbing, where other people have to tell the climber which way to go, which is a great team-building exercise. We can do other physical activities here as well,” says Kreg Dobzinski, manager at the center, referring to Aiguille’s dedicated yoga studio.
Groups can also scale the heights at Sun Country Sports Center in Gainesville, where a 2,500-square-foot rock climbing wall is the basis for a variety of team-building activities, including custom group programs that utilize the on-site gym.
Free Falling
It’s skydiving without the altitude (but plenty of attitude). iFly indoor skydiving duplicates true free fall conditions with a 12-foot, open-flow, 1,000-horsepower vertical wind tunnel that creates a wall-to-wall cushion of air. After some quick pre-flight training, participants enter the chamber and within moments are channeling Superman, floating safely in midair.
Groups of up to 100 can be accommodated at one time, says Nicholas Romeo, director of sales and marketing at the venue, and those not “flying” can cheer on team members from a viewing area.
“We also offer corporate outings which include our room rental,” Romeo says. “Or groups can schedule a meeting before they fly.”
Top-Flight Excitement
The real blue yonder is waiting in a hands-on flight excursion with Warbird Adventures, departing from Kissimmee Gateway Airport. Together with an instructor, visitors pilot a real 1946 T-6 Texan, the preferred fighter-trainer of World War II.
“We have three T-6 Texans, and we’ve done groups as large as 20 to 25,” says Sue Duvernois, office manager at Warbird. “We do the takeoff and landing, but once they’re airborne, they do all the flying.”
For some team building on the fly, instructors will help your group attempt a few formation flying maneuvers.
Those waiting on the ground can check out a small on-site museum, housing vintage aircraft and engine parts, as well as a collection of infantry rifles and automatic weapons from WWII.PageBreak
Hanging in There
Group members pilot a vehicle of another kind, hang gliders, at Wallaby Ranch in Davenport, southwest of Orlando. Harnessed in with an instructor on a 100-acre takeoff and landing field, guests are towed 2,000 feet into the air then are released, free-flying for about 15 minutes, with instructors showing them how to control the glider.
But the flights are only part of the fun at Wallaby, home to an on-site pool and climbing wall as well as biking and hiking trails through the surrounding woods. An outdoor pavilion is on hand for catered meals as well.
“We’ve done quite a few corporate groups, and there’s always a percentage of people who aren’t going to fly,” notes Malcolm Jones, owner and pilot at the ranch. “But once you’re here, there’s a lot to do. We’ve done some big group barbecues, for example.”
Due west of Orlando in Groveland, Quest Air Hang Gliding also works with groups, says Mark Frutiger, the firm’s manager.
“From October to May, we can handle a group of about 25 to 30 people flying,” he says.
On-site swimming, volleyball and horseshoes keep those on the ground busy, and Frutiger says there are plans to install a ropes course.
Bouncing Back
Groups will be bouncing off the walls, literally, at Rebounderz, an indoor trampoline arena in Longwood, north of Orlando, that offers 10,400 square feet of rebounding surfaces, including the floor and sides. A corporate team-building package might include an hour in a private meeting room, then an hour in the arena for free jumping, dodgeball or “cardio-robics.”PageBreak
School of Hard Knocks
Boasting two Orlando locations and touting itself as “beyond laser tag,” Hard Knocks is an indoor combat simulation arena designed for entertainment, law enforcement training and corporate team building.
“Instead of traditional laser tag, we challenge you to complete combat missions, and we have over 80 different missions,” says Lauren Supersano, group sales manager at Hard Knocks.
Among the challenges: defusing bombs, rescuing hostages and protecting VIPs.
“Each mission takes about 15 minutes, so you can go through a lot in one visit,” she says. “And it works perfectly with team building because in order to complete those missions, you have to work together.”
The facility opens for groups during off hours, and full-service catering is available.
Off-Roading
Team-building retreats are a specialty of Revolution Off Road in Clermont, west of Orlando, where groups ride ATVs, dune buggies and Mucky Ducks amphibious vehicles, and participate in a host of customized programs, including archery, fishing and waterskiing, all on a 240-acre site with a 60-acre lake.
“We tailor things according to budget and number of people,” says Audrey Jowett, the company’s vice president. “We do things like scavenger hunts on ATVs, or we’ll blindfold the driver on a dune buggy or Mucky Duck while someone else plays the navigator.
Feeling the Rush
Florida Horse Park in Ocala hosts the Hero Rush adventure racing competition, and the Marion County Sports Commission can hook your group up with this intense, four-mile course. Designed by firefighters, it includes climbing up ladders and sliding down poles, crawling through windows, and breaking down doors to locate trapped “victims.” Afterward, an Inferno Midway offers even more obstacles and firefighter-themed challenges as well as food, drink and entertainment.
Lisa Simundson is always up for an adventure and is a regular contributor to Meetings Focus South.
