In Minnesota, going “up north” in the summertime is a sacred tradition. But no matter where your group is located, time spent at the lake presents myriad opportunities for team building activities as well as downtime fun, relaxation, and memory-making events. Sales Manager at Ruttger’s Bay Lake Lodge, Meggan Reinoso, has some inspiring teambuilding ideas for the next time you take your tribe to the water’s edge.
Q. Tell me about Ruttger’s Bay Lake Lodge?
A. For more than a century, Ruttger’s Bay Lake Lodge has welcomed families and groups to our family-owned resort in the beautiful Brainerd Lakes area. In addition to our stunning meeting facilities, guests enjoy our two golf courses, spa, comfortable lodging choices, and fabulous dining options.
Q. What kind of unique teambuilding ideas can you share with planners who want to take their team to the lake?
A. Spending time on, in or near the shores of a clear, clean lake is a beloved part of life in Minnesota. A lake turns an ordinary business trip into a retreat. That’s why so many planners look for meeting and conventions locations on the water.
But when the meetings, breakout sessions and eating are done, and your team races to the water, there are lots of fun, out-of-the-ordinary teambuilding ideas we’ve found to be very popular with our guests. Some of those include:
• S’mores Contest. Nothing goes together quite like a lake, a bonfire, and s’mores. Kick up a traditional s’mores feast with an Iron Chef s’mores competition. Put out marshmallows, graham crackers, and Hershey bars but add an assortment of other confectionary delights such as peanut butter, Nutella, an variety of other chocolate bars, nuts, bacon, caramel, and more. Break into teams to create a s’mores masterpiece. The boss is the judge, but because everyone gets to eat s’mores, you’ll all be winners.
• Brew Cruise. Pair great craft beer with a peaceful pontoon cruise around the lake. Add in a stunning sunset and you have a perfect summer evening. Most craft breweries are willing to host a cruise featuring their special brews.
• Water Olympics. For more adventurous groups, plan some time on the water, and make a contest out of it. A relay race involving kayaking, swimming, canoeing, paddle boarding, or water biking is an exciting way to connect with the lake. And just for fun, make it a requirement to do a cannon ball to cross the finish line.
• Water Jet Pack. Though many of us are still waiting for the jet packs we were promised as children, water jet packs are very real and extremely fun. For a modest hourly price, water jet pack organizations will come to you and let your team take flight. (Simply Google “water jetpack rental Minnesota” for one near you.) This is an experience your team will not soon forget.
• Lakefront “Drive-in” Movies. Movie night, outdoors under the stars. Play it straight and pick a traditional movie or go campy and pick a cult classic. Either way, it’s a great way to spend an evening together. And, course, there needs to be popcorn, candy, beer, wine, and other refreshments. Some venues have large outdoor movie screens on which to project a movie, but if they don’t, renting an inflatable screen is affordable.
• BONUS idea – Paddle Pubs. You’ve seen the peddle pubs cruising downtown Minneapolis. Paddle pubs are the same, but on the lake. Hop on board a modified pontoon, belly up to the bar and start peddling, drinking, and teambuilding.
Meggan has been the Sales Manager at Ruttger’s Bay Lake Lodge for two years. Before joining Ruttger’s she held the same title at Buca di Beppo for 6 years. Meggan is a Foodie with over 15 years in the hospitality industry, and is a member of MPI, IAAP + Associations North. When not assisting planners and devising creative outdoor, lake-related teambuilding events, she is keeping up with her three kids, cooking authentic Latin recipes, or binge-watching Destination Travel.
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