Team Building
Turning Groups into Teams & Challenges into Triumphs
Illinois State University Outdoor Adventure offers tailored team-building experiences for students, faculty, staff, and community groups, aiming to foster personal growth and group development.
What Is a Team Building Program?
A team building program is made up of a series of intentional activities designed to help groups grow together. Each program — whether High Ropes, Ground-Based Challenge Course or Portable — follows a progression that begins with ground-based activities to build trust, communication, and teamwork.
Ground-based Challenge Course and Portable Program Progression:
● Focus on dynamic, problem-solving challenges.
● Strengthen collaboration, communication, and group cohesion.
● Encourage creative thinking and mutual support.
High Ropes Course Program Progression:
● Provides a more challenging environment where participants apply skills developed on the ground.
● Involves elevated elements that require teamwork, trust, and communication.
● Promotes confidence, connection, and a shared sense of accomplishment.
High Ropes
The High Ropes Course features 27 unique elements ranging from 17 to 28 feet high, designed to promote teamwork, communication, and personal growth in a safe yet adventurous setting. Programs begin on the ground with introductions, trust-building, and communication activities before progressing to the elevated course.
Due to staffing, only the Static Course is currently offered. This course involves teams of participants, combining ground and aerial roles to encourage collaboration, problem-solving, and mutual support. Participants alternate roles so everyone can contribute both on the ground and at height. The course is open March through October, weather permitting. Outdoor Adventure offers programs in varying lengths for the High Ropes Course:
● Short Day 2-Hour programs
● Half Day 4-Hour programs
● Full Day 6-Hour programs
Ground-Based Challenges
The Ground-Based Challenge Course consists of structures and activities that take place on or just a few feet off the ground, designed to promote teamwork, communication, and problem-solving. Activities may include navigating balance beams, stepping across short platforms, or working together to move through a web of ropes without touching boundaries. The Ground-Based Challenge Course creates an engaging environment that fosters leadership, trust, and shared accomplishment.
The course is open March through October (weather permitting). Outdoor Adventure offers programs in varying lengths for the Ground-Based Challenge Course:
● Short Day 2-Hour programs
● Half Day 4-Hour programs
● Full Day 6-Hour programs
Pricing
All programs are priced based on a per-person rate for the specified duration, with a minimum charge equivalent to 10 participants, regardless of group size.
Ground-Based Challenge Course & Portable Program Pricing
| Length of Program | Students | ISU Department | K-12 School Group | Community Non-Profit | Community For-Profit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Short Day - 2 hours | $10 | $15 | $15 | $15 | $20 |
| Half Day - 4 hours | $20 | $30 | $30 | $30 | $40 |
| Full Day - 6 hours | $30 | $45 | $45 | $45 | $55 |
High Ropes Pricing
| Length of Program | Students | ISU Department | K-12 School Group | Community Non-Profit | Community For-Profit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Short Day - 2 hours | $20 | $30 | $35 | $35 | $40 |
| Half Day - 4 hours | $30 | $40 | $45 | $45 | $60 |
| Full Day - 6 hours | $30 | $50 | $55 | $55 | $80 |
Booking
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Request Your Program
- Decide on the type of team-building program that best suits your group’s goals and needs.
- Complete the Team Building Program Request Form to provide information about your group’s goals, strengths, current events, and expectations.
- Submit the form, and a staff member will contact you within one week to confirm receipt and discuss next steps.
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Confirm Your Program
- A professional staff member will reach out to confirm the details of your request and answer any questions you may have.
- You will receive a contract agreement that outlines your group size, program date, time, and cost.
- Review, sign, and return the contract agreement no later than two weeks before your program date.
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Day of the Program
- Arrive on time and at the correct location with your group.
- Ensure all participants are prepared to engage fully in the program activities.
- Bring completed individual waivers for all participants and submit them to the facilitators at the start of the program.
Open High Ropes Events
While much of our programming focuses on team development, we also offer open high ropes events for individuals, pairs, and small groups of friends to enjoy the course at their own pace. Upon arrival, participants will gear up with harnesses and tackle the course in small groups, guided and supported by our trained staff.
Open high ropes events are scheduled throughout the year and can be viewed on Fusion, which you can access here.