Summer Team Building NYC

Memorial Day has just passed, meaning the unofficial start of summer is here (yeah!). To those responsible for arranging a summer team building activity for the company, however, one big question now lingers: should the event be held indoors, or outdoors?

Not an easy question, because there are VERY appealing (and not so appealing) aspects to both.

Before starting TrivWorks nearly 5 years ago to produce trivia events, I spent 2 years freelancing at a NYC scavenger hunt company, during which time I spent the better part of each summer weekday outside entertaining corporate groups across the streets and parks Manhattan. I have plenty of experience with BOTH indoor/outdoor team building in New York City and beyond, and think that there is a place for both.

Let’s start with outdoors. Clearly, people love being outside in the summertime – especially after a particularly brutal, Polar Vortex-tainted winter like we’ve just experienced. If you’re planning to have your team, department or entire company participate in a group bonding activity this summer, there are more than enough options for your to choose from – however, the big draw will of course be that- well, you’re outside!

Now, the downside. You’re at the whim of Mother Nature, meaning the success of your best-laid plans are going to be dependent on the weather: will it be a billion degrees and a zillion percent humidity, will it rain, will there be a pollen tsunami, will there be bees – all of these things are beyond the planner’s control.

Chances are also good you’ll be taking advantage of the outdoors to do something physical, which likely means getting dirty, wet, or risking injury; worse still, not everyone will get to participate – particularly those who are older or disabled.

Now let’s take an honest look at indoor summertime activities. The planner has much more control here, as there’s a roof overhead and a thermostat on the wall. You’re likely doing something less physically active, meaning that more people (if not everyone) can participate, and odds are you’ll have a clean, safe event.

That said…you’re stuck inside on what could be a glorious day/night.

To be fair, I have my own biases here – I’ve seen enough groups get soaked by rain and sweat to fully appreciate the comfort which indoor team building activities allow on hot summer days, and think that the overall experience is much better received by participants if summertime teambuilding in NYC or anywhere are held indoors.

However, it really does come down to your group, and what they like/expect. Whether you choose do an indoor or outdoor summer employee activity, in NYC or anywhere, just make sure it fits your group’s culture, interests, and is in line with your overall team building goals.