Team Building

Goals & Needs Assessment Evaluation

Castaic Lake, which is located roughly 30 minutes away from CSUN, is our local aquatic education center and lake. Castaic is open for reservations for just water activities through the Aquatic Center; however, team building initiatives combined with a few water activities are accessible through Outdoor Adventures.

Programs at Castaic Lake have the primary goal of bringing groups off campus. For returning clients or groups that spend too much time on campus, Castaic Lake offers the chance to accomplish customized goals in a different environment. If groups are looking for water activities, such as kayaking or canoeing, programs can be altered to include them. Prices and availability will vary depending on the Aquatic Center.

Potential options include:

3 hour (2 hours for programming, 1 hour for driving) reservation of Castaic with water activities only (no Initiatives)
3 hour (2 hours for programming, 1 hour for driving) reservation of Castaic with Initiatives only (no water activities)
4 - 5 hour (3-4 hours for programming, 1 hour for driving) reservation of Castaic with Initiatives + water activities

Past clients include:

Ruth Youth Build
Immaculate Heart
Intramurals

This option is best for teams that are:

Either new or very high functioning and anywhere in between
Looking for a new challenge with water activities such as kayaking or canoeing.
Looking to get off campus to challenge the team and bond with the team.
Continuing clients looking for a new challenge with team building (new clients who have never done a team building program see positive results as well)

Please fill out a “Request a Quote” Wufoo for pricing and scheduling, and ask any questions through the form or via email communication with the Team Building Supervisor, who will be in contact with you once the form is received.

Team Building - Combo

If you found yourself wondering if you could combine the Initiative program with the HRCC program, then you are in luck! Our Combo program is our most popular HRCC option and one of our most popular programs in general because it combines the best of both worlds. Within the 4-8 hour programs, teams are placed in unique situations and challenges that are both in the air and ground based. These challenges will build off one another to accomplish the vision set forth by the team’s coordinator.

Because the Combo programs provide the most customization, teams can look to spread out their goals and learning outcomes or hone in on two or three. All activities that are facilitated will include some aspect of the learning outcomes, though that might not be the ultimate motive behind the activity (some may be chosen that require deeper thinking to notice the connection). Unlike with the Initiative and HRCC programs, Combo programs will not necessarily increase in difficulty from activity to activity. Instead, all the activities will range in difficulty throughout the single experience.

Combo programs will always include a short introduction from the facilitators (and name game if the participants are unfamiliar with each other) and a large group game to split them up. From there, depending on the length of the program and number of participants, the facilitators will take the groups through different elements on the course in one group, and one or two Initiatives with the other group. The group will then switch and do the exact same activities as the previous group. A large group debrief will occur at the end. *

* Lunch is highly recommended for the full day program, and recommended for half-day programs that extend over the usual lunch hours (11 am – 1 pm). Lunch is not provided *

Potential options include:

4-6 hour ½ combo program with both Initiatives + High Ropes Course (explained in Combo tab)*
6-8 hour full day combo program with both Initiatives + High Ropes Course (explained in Combo tab)

* Recommended Combo option and one of our most popular program option *

Past clients include:

Upward Bound
Resident Halls Association
Intramurals
Business Department
Immaculate Heart
Lily Academy

This option is best for teams that are:

Either new or very high functioning and anywhere in between
Looking for a challenging environment that combines both on-the-course elements and ground based games for a well-rounded program
Looking for unique obstacles and challenges that provide the opportunity for team growth and individual growth in different arenas to satisfy multiple learning outcomes and goals
Continuing clients looking for a new challenge with a team building program (new clients who have never done a team building program see positive results as well)

Team Building - High Ropes Challenge Course

The High Ropes Challenge Course (HRCC) is one of the best ways to challenge your team to reach their next level. The course is composed of eleven unique elements that present individuals with entirely new challenges. Split into a higher (35 feet) and a lower course (15 feet), the HRCC is the extremely helpful in bringing a team closer together and fostering confidence, enthusiasm, and positivity in both individuals and the team.

There are physical and mental challenges that the challenge course provides individuals with in order to stimulate their growth. From the Zip line to the Leap of Faith, and from the Hanging Vines to the Skywalk, participants must battle their own fears with the support of their team and facilitators in order to accomplish their goals. The HRCC programs are often the best for teaching individuals about themselves and teaching them about the team and the importance of support, trust, and confidence.

HRCC always include a short introduction from the facilitators (and name game if the participants are unfamiliar with each other) and a large group game to split them up. From there, depending on the length of the program and number of participants, the facilitators will take the groups through different elements on the course in one group, and one or two Initiatives with the other group. A large group debrief will occur at the end.

Potential options include:

3 hour HRCC program with introduction, two to three elements, and concluding debrief (best for medium to large groups up to 35 maximum)
4-6 hour ½ combo program with both Initiatives + High Ropes Course (explained in Combo tab) *
6-8 hour full day combo program with both Initiatives + High Ropes Course (explained in Combo tab)

* Recommended HRCC option and one of our most popular program options *

Past clients include:

Upward Bound
Resident Halls Association
Intramurals
Business Department
Immaculate Heart
Lily Academy

This option is best for teams that are:

Either new or very high functioning and anywhere in between
Looking for a challenging environment that is up in the air and on-the-course and encourages participants to truly step outside of their comfort zones
Looking for unique obstacles and challenges that provide the opportunity for team growth and individual growth
Continuing clients looking for a new challenge with a team building program (new clients who have never done a team building program see positive results as well)

Team Building - Initiatives

Initiatives, or simply team building games, are unique challenges that are entirely ground-based and provide a group of individuals a framework for becoming a stronger team. These challenges vary in length, but they all focus on accomplishing a singular goal together as a group. The best part about initiative programs is that they are shorter in length, allowing for multiple learning outcomes to be addressed.

These initiative programs are our most popular choice among non-high ropes course events. Because of the physical and mental challenges presented, individuals must rely on their team and individual strengths to lead the team to success. The initiatives will increase in difficulty the more successful the team is or for returning clients. These programs are often the best for transferring skills and relationships gained during the experience back to the workplace, as they are more team-based.

Initiative always include a short introduction from the facilitators (and name game if the participants are unfamiliar with each other) and a large group game. From there, depending on the length of the program, the facilitators will usually lead at least two different activities (which usually have at least two learning outcomes per game). Debriefs will occur within each activity; however, a large group debrief will occur at the end.

Potential options include:

2 hour Initiative program with introduction, two activities, and concluding debrief (best for smaller groups up to 25 maximum)*
3 hour Initiative program with introduction, three to four activities, and concluding debrief (best for medium to large groups up to 45 maximum)
4-6 hour ½ combo program with both Initiatives + High Ropes Course (explained in Combo tab)
6-8 hour full day combo program with both Initiatives + High Ropes Course (explained in Combo tab)

* Recommended Initiative option and one of our most popular program options *

Past clients include:

WISDOM
CSUN Ice Hockey
Veteran’s Resource Center
Associated Students Leadership
EOP Students Association
Career Center

This option is best for teams that are:

Either new or very high functioning and anywhere in between
Looking for a challenging environment that is ground-based
Looking for unique obstacles and challenges that provide the opportunity for team growth and individual growth
Continuing clients looking for a new challenge with initiatives (new clients who have never done a team building program see positive results as well)

Team Building - Custom Outings/Team Building Retreats

Team building is best known for single day programs with High Ropes Courses and Initiative games. Here at CSUN, a singular day of team building will not only still be on campus, but it will only have a select few areas of focus, especially if the High Ropes Course is involved. Custom Outings and Team Building Retreats are perfect for any club, organization, or department to take that extra step with team building.

These retreats and custom outings are geared to be completely off-campus and focus on more learning outcomes. This off-campus interaction mixed in with team building is the perfect way for participants to learn new skills and bond more as a team. These private trips provide more in depth analysis of strengths and areas of improvement, goal setting, group discussion, interaction, and bonding.

Potential options include:

Hiking in the greater Los Angeles area
Urban weekend camping trip
Wilderness based trips

Past clients include:

Hiking with the CSUN Women's Golf Team
Weekend trip to Big Bear with CSUN Ice Hockey
Weekend of beach camping and exploring San Diego with Associated Students Productions

This option is best for teams that are:

Either new or very high functioning and anywhere in between
Looking for that extra step
Seeking to truly bond with one another
Continuing clients looking for a new challenge with team building (new clients who have never done a team building program see positive results as well)

Team Building - RIDGE Rockwall