The end of summer is slowly creeping up on us. Before you know it, the breeze will crispen and the leaves will begin to change. Don’t let the heat’s passing bog you down! Start embracing these cozy team-building activities next month.
Forage a Feast
Take it caveman style—with a bit of luxe of course. Scouring for your own food doesn’t have to be stressful. Many companies and hotels offer packages for groups wanting to tap back into ancestral roots. In Bradford, Pennsylvania, The Lodge at Glendorn is nestled in the gorgeous Alleghany National Forest. Guests can search for wild ingredients inside the greenery with the help of a guide, and, once back at the hotel, put together a decadent platter with the executive chef. Fall is hunting season, so there’s more focus on gamey meats, such as deer and turkey—plus, trout fishing is available year-round. Seems like an early Thanksgiving may be in order.
Alternately, your team can dive into the waters at Nantucket Hotel and Resort in Massachusetts from November to March for the freshest scallops. Choose between an exhilarating snorkel or a gentle wade into the water to search for the delicacies.
Cook up Some Fun
Nothing brings people together quite like a feast. Cozymeal is a company that partners with local food suppliers and top chefs to give your group food tours or team cooking classes. The sessions are hosted in exquisite venues, or the chef can come right to you. You can cook everything from savory to sweet. Use the website to find an experience near you.
Fancy an apple pie? A la Mode Pies in Seattle, Washington, has got you covered. The pie making classes run until late August to get you in the mood for the fall festivities. Seasonal offerings change between different fruit pies and cream pies. Every student learns the age-old techniques of pastrymaking and takes home their creation at the end. Classes include samples of the store’s homemade pies, espresso from a local cafe and a pint of ice cream churned on-site.
Beer Festivals
If you need to wash down all that food, you’re in luck. Several beer festivals pop up in the fall. Many of them are inspired by Germany’s Oktoberfest. Cincinnati, Ohio hosts one of the largest in the U.S., offering games, live music, salty pretzels and juicy bratwursts. Oh—and don’t forget the gallons and gallons of ice-cold brew.
If there’s not a city-wide Oktoberfest near you, many restaurants have similar events on a smaller scale.
Tailgating
Kick off the season the right away. Tailgating is a laid back activity that can be spun to fit any occasion. If you live close to a NFL or college stadium, pack the truck and load the masses for an afternoon of fun. Fill the time before the game with barbecue, cornhole, ring toss and good music. Then head inside the stadium to cheer on your favorite team (or boo—all a matter of personal preference).
Tailgate Group rents out all the essentials for a great tailgate to multiple locations in the South. You could also opt for an indoor tailgate if these options aren’t in reach. Just hunt down your largest TV or projector.
Give Back
Get in some CSR during your R&R. Simple projects such as raking leaves for senior citizens, or the city in general, is a low-stake activity that puts some good back into the community.
Or, partake in the runs and walks for causes happening all throughout the season. The brisk air makes the perfect backdrop for a group outing. The American Cancer Society hosts events in cities big and small around the country. Proceeds raised go toward research and support for cancer patients.
Fruit Picking
‘Tis the season for quaint apple orchards and pretty pumpkin patches. Fruit picking is the quintessential fall activity your team will be sorry to miss. Turn the activity competitive with a pumpkin carving contest. Or split into teams to see who can collect the most fruits. Don’t forget to hop on a hayride while you’re at it.
Many farms will accommodate large groups if you book in advance. Treelicious Orchards in Port Murray, New Jersey, can host groups of up to 1,000 people. They’ll offer up extra games and serve farm-to-table dinners. Roasted pork with apple and cranberry chutney? Yes please.
