The Learning & Development Resource Centre

Team Adventure Series (Survival Simulations)

The Team Adventure Series is a fun and memorable way to demonstrate the concept of team synergy — the phenomenon that occurs when a team achieves greater results than the sum of its parts. Each simulation provides a safe, open environment in which participants can learn and practice key process skills that lead to synergy, including problem solving, communicating effectively, managing and resolving conflict, and consensus decision making. 

Choose from nine different exotic scenarios:

Zombie Outbreak - NEW!

It's a Monday morning downtown. The day starts out as every other. You arrive at the office, ready to begin work. You spend some time greeting a new employee and chatting with your co-workers. Someone brings up a news story about three people who were killed over the weekend – rumour has it – by zombies. Conversation ensues about the probability of such an occurrence when there is a sudden frenzy in the office over an employee who appears to be acting out of sorts, going as far as biting another person. The rumour suddenly becomes a reality. You and your four co-workers quickly realize that you must work together to make some vital decisions on what to do and how to best equip yourselves in order to survive the developing zombie outbreak.

Beyond the Valley of the Kings

An urban redevelopment group climbs into the basket of a hot-air balloon, excited to get an aerial view of Egypt’s Valley of the Kings. Liftoff is smooth, but about an hour into the flight, the balloon suddenly lurches and plummets to the ground. After a bone-crushing landing, the dazed group members find their pilot lying motionless. Stranded in the desert, the group must pull together to care for him and survive the harsh Sahara desert. Part of the Team Adventure Series, Beyond the Valley of the Kings introduces the concept of synergy and helps team members to develop vital group-process skills such as decision making and interpersonal communication.

Black Bear

On an early-morning hike in the Great Smoky Mountains, a group surprises a mother black bear - with near-fatal results. Their scout leader is quickly attacked and left lying on the ground, unconscious and bleeding steadily from deep lacerations. Now the team must work together to make critical decisions and find the best way to rescue their scout leader. Part of the Team Adventure Series, Black Bear

Cave Without a Name

It starts innocently enough. A group of tourists descends deep into the unexplored territory of a cave near the Guadalupe River in Texas. But suddenly, they hear a loud “shoof!” sound and before they can react, the caverns are consumed by a rush of water that fills the cave. The lights go dark and now the group huddles in terror as they realize they’re trapped with no obvious way out. Part of the Team Adventure Series, Cave Without a Name introduces the concept of synergy and helps team members to develop vital group-process skills such as decision making and interpersonal communication.

Marooned

Enjoying a daytime excursion while on a cruise in the South Pacific, a group of passengers sets out to explore a coral island. It doesn't take long before they discover a long stretch of inviting sand. So they decide to take a break - and they drift off to sleep. Two hours later, they awake just in time to see their cruise ship sail into the horizon. Stranded with only limited supplies, the group is left to draft a survival plan. Part of the Team Adventure Series, Marooned introduces the concept of synergy and helps team members to develop vital group-process skills such as decision making and problem solving.

Outback

A group of friends decides to take a hike in the Australian outback - without a guide. They’re confident at first, but soon every tree, shrub, and patch of ground begins to look the same. Panic sets in as they lose sight of the trail and realize they’re lost in the wild Australian bush. Knowing it could be days before they’re found, the group must find a way to survive the elements with only limited supplies and the clothes on their backs. Part of the Team Adventure Series, Outback introduces the concept of synergy and helps team members to develop vital group-process skills such as decision making and conflict resolution.

Swamped

Deep in the wilds of Northern Minnesota, a group of friends enjoys a serene paddle across a scenic lake. But on the second day of the trip, the weather turns stormy and dangerous. And before they can reach the shore, a strong wind gust flips their canoes upside down. As the group watches their supplies disappear, they scramble to survive with only ten salvaged items. Part of the Team Adventure Series, Swamped introduces the concept of synergy and helps team members to develop vital group-process skills such as problem solving and decision making.

Vacation in the Keys

Disaster strikes a group of friends on a charter trip to the Florida Keys when their sport-fishing boat suddenly explodes. In the blink of an eye, everyone - and everything - is thrown overboard. Fortunately, everyone is able to swim to shore and their injuries are relatively minor. Rescue efforts could take as long as a week, so the group must work together to survive using only the supplies they pulled from the water. Part of the Team Adventure Series, Vacation in the Keys introduces the concept of synergy and helps team members to develop vital group-process skills such as decision making and interpersonal communication.

Whiteout

On a dog-sledding trip across the Alaskan tundra, a dysfunctional work group sets off on a team-building adventure of a lifetime. But unexpectedly, they encounter a blizzard that leaves them stranded in the wild. And then disaster strikes. One of the sleds - including the driver and guide - crashes through the ice into the frigid water. Now it’s up to the team to put aside their differences and work together to save the injured and rescue themselves with only limited resources and supplies. Part of the Team Adventure Series, Whiteout introduces the concept of synergy and helps team members to develop vital group-process skills such as decision making and conflict resolution.

Read more about team survival simulations in the article "HOW TEAM SURVIVAL SIMULATIONS COME INTO PLAY"

Article Introduction:  In today’s hectic business climate, time runs short, resources are lacking, and the cost for poor performance is high. Now more than ever, organizations can’t afford a lackadaisical, "trial by error" attitude. That’s one reason why training simulations have become a popular choice for classroom training. Take team development, for instance. Survival simulations expose learners to important group process skills such as decision making under pressure – and then help them to build the skills they need to be effective quickly... ... ...