Monday, July 29, 2013

Delicious Darkness


 
You raise the fork to your mouth and close your eyes as a light airy chocolate mousse melts on your tongue bursting with flavour. Bliss! Now imagine spending the entire meal with all that sensory pleasure and focus.

This encounter is usually punctuated with sounds of laughter and appreciation for the gourmet dishes plated before you. Dining companions have the opportunity to reveal what they are experiencing with each other and their knowledgeable host as they try something that is truly incomparable. This two hour culinary adventure provides an entertaining eating encounter that will create a remarkable exotic memory!

An article in February’s edition of Pique News Magazine featured a seniors group in Squamish, B.C. who held their annual charitable dinner and chose this as their event of choice as they believe it emphasized their goal of raising awareness for their featured charitable cause.

A perfect fit as this bonding experience also heightens your own awareness of the food before you!

Our Diningin the Dark team bonding group activity can be customized to suit any need including a charitable venture or simply as a taste of the exotic in the midst of a weekend long conference.
 
Watch the video below for a glimpse of what awaits you in the dark.

 

What has been your best (or worst!) dining experience ever? Go ahead and post below. It’s all about sharing!

Friday, July 26, 2013

The Executive Dream


We all have a ‘Bucket List’. Things we’ve always dreamed of doing.

According to sales growth consultants, the Alexander Group, Recognition and Rewards programs are one of the four cornerstone options for employee engagement and incentives. Along with contests, pay increases and cash bonuses, luxury treats such as adventure travel and once in a lifetime experiences are the best ways to see a marked enhancement in productivity.

Additionally, a new study by the Aberdeen Group underscores the importance of incentives and rewards “as a vital compensation component and outlines the competitive advantage companies gain when they go outside their organization for assistance in designing and implementing such programs.” - Incentive Research Foundation (IRF)

Through our Corporate Explorer Training Programs, not only do we offer focused and fun team building events, but we have the ability to create the ultimate Executive Retreat either for a group or an individual you believe merits special recognition.

What better way to recognize extraordinary job performance than a once in a lifetime excursion, be it climbing a volcano in Nicaragua or skydiving with colleagues. The sky is literally the limit!

What is the Number One item on your bucket list? We’d love to know!

Share in Comments below and you may just give us a really great idea!

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Mission to the Moon Team Building Event in Little Rock



Hello! Miguel here with another American Outback adventure event update.

“That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind” – first words of Neil Armstrong when landing on the moon. Well, a group of medical students have the task to create a rocket and test it during this Mission to the Moon event organized by the American Outback. All of them did a great job of protecting their precious cargo during the take off and landing of their rocket, but only one team managed to get it high enough to earn extra points and ultimately making them the winning team.

For more information, check us out at www.americanoutback.net. Thank you!

Monday, July 22, 2013

Globe Trotting - next stop Barcelona!



Barcelona...ah the laid-back feel of the beach with the pulse of a major city. What better place to stage the Amazing Chase? This customized team building event has all the adrenalin pumping excitement of the famed nine-time Emmy© award winning show on which it is based.

A true test of team work and problem solving skills, this city wide challenge allows your team to hone their ability to communicate while bonding through a remarkable and memorable experience.

Racing past world famous landmarks like the Sagrada Familia cathedral (forever under construction) and up to the fantastical Parc Güell participants experienced one of the most unique ways to sightsee!

Our team set up challenges that took this enthusiastic group all over this famous city that myth says was founded by the legendary figure Hercules. Accomplishing the goals of team building and better communication, this group bonded in an unforgettable way, becoming corporate legends themselves.

Your team will get to live out the dream as we create this custom event just for you. Zip under the Eiffel Tower to your next challenge. Take a lap around the Washington Monument. Beat your opponents to the punch as you speed past them down the river in Chicago ... or Rome.

Where would you like your team to go and which of our amazing events would you like to do there?

Pop onto our website to see what your choices are for events, pick a dream destination and post your comments below!

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Corporate Intrigue


 
 
Recently, we spent a day in sunny Palm Springs getting licensed to thrill! We ran our SecretAgent 007 team building event peppered with our philanthropic Apprentice event, taking a feel good day and making it into a feel great occasion!!

SecretAgent 007 transforms a run of the mill day of team building into an exciting adventure of espionage and intrigue. Demonstrating excellent communication skills and exemplary teamwork is the only way to win your “007” status. Solve the challenges and complete the special missions along with your team competing against other covert units.  

As the teams gained vital parts of a puzzle, we added on an element of the Apprentice, as they also received actual bike parts! The team then had to put the bikes together before anyone could be declared the winner. However, everyone was a winner as the bikes were then donated to a local charitable cause, putting smiles on the faces of local kids and leaving the teams with a huge sense of accomplishment!
 

Who is better James Bond or Jason Bourne? Here’s the tricky part WHICH Bond or Bourne would you choose to be?

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Rain or Shine this Team Building Event in Ontario will Survive



Hello! Miguel here with another Canadian Outback event update.

Despite the cloudy day and the park having a lot of water and mud as a result of the worst rain of the month, there was a great amount of people that showed up and ready to participate in these Corporate Castaways event that took place at a nice and large provincial park at south side part of Toronto. Tribes were assigned and shown to their first challenge where they competed against an opposite tribe for the duration of the event. At the end, all of them were rewarded with a delicious barbecue meal and cold beverages. Well deserved after completing challenges in a wet muddy ground, thankfully no more rain for the rest of the day. The top 5 teams were called to the front and one torch a time was put off until the winning team held on to their torch to be crowned the champion and the sole survivor team of the day.

For more information, please visit us at canadianoutback.com. Thank you!

Monday, July 8, 2013

A Brand Spanking New Team Event This Summer


Have you heard of Koala hugging someone? That is one of the many zany activities you will perform for the crazy Urban Goose Chase taking over America and Canada!

This smartphone-based scavenger hunt, mixed with a dash of Fear Factor, is coming to a city near you. Teams will tackle hilarious challenges against each other to win a prize of $300, and earn massive city-wide bragging rights.

On event day in your city, you'll receive entertaining missions on your smartphone using a cool app. Decide which ones to conquer depending on how many points you want. WARNING: You'll be stretching your boundaries and laughing hysterically in no time!

This event is perfect for anyone looking for a fun bonding or team-building activity. For a company specific scavenger hunt, check out our Wild Goose Chase. This conference activity is super affordable, starting from just $10 per person depending on group size.

Participants can easily download the mobile app and play the game as an ice-breaker or networking activity, during breaks or as part of evening social functions. It is a great way to interact with colleagues and collaborate on fun team challenges.

Can you guess what a Koala hug is? Leave us a comment below!   

An Exclusive 2-day Wilderness Vacation in Squamish


Travel editor of Canada.com, Mark Stachiew, highlighted our white water rafting adventures as one reason why Squamish deserves the title of Outdoor Capital of Canada.

It’s no surprise really. Rafting helps you to get away from it all, especially from stressors such as work, money and the general hustle and bustle of life. 

That’s why you will love our extraordinary rafting and camping trip, the 2-Day Rafting Wilderness Expedition in Squamish, B.C.

It’s a great getaway for you and some friends, or a fun family trip with older kids. Believe us, you won’t have computers or printers where we are taking you. There are only a few days left to sign up now!
  • Dates available: July 13 - 14, July 27 - 28, August 5 - 6, August 17 – 18
  • Custom departure dates available for large groups
  • Price $349
  • No experience necessary
Schedule

Day 1

You will splash through the Class 3 - 4 white water rapids of the Elaho River after which you will be greeted with a cheese, grapes and cracker plate. This is followed by an evening of dining on mouth-watering salmon bake, vegetables and dessert. End the evening camping by a roaring fire on a sandy island under the glaciated peaks of the Tantalus Mountain Range. This is one of the most serene and scenic spots in all of B.C.!

Day 2

You will start the morning with blueberry pancakes and fruit followed by a scenic float along the Squamish River wrapping up this all-inclusive meal, rafting and camping package.

Call our friendly Adventure Reservations team at 1-800-565-8735 or email reservations@canadianoutback.com to book your spot now! 
 

What are some of your most unique relaxing activities? Whether it’s snuggling on lazy Sunday mornings with your dog or heading to an afternoon farmer’s market. We want to hear from you. Leave us a comment!

 

Saturday, July 6, 2013

Avoiding Brain Drain with Hiking and Wildlife Tours


 
The saying “use it or lose it” might hold some truth as a study from the University of Missouri-Columbia discovered that kids tend to forget what they learned from school in the summer.

This “brain drain” leads to teachers spending one to two and a half months of the school year re-teaching material that was lost.

Luckily there are things you can do to decrease the incidence of learning loss such as:

1)    Send your children to summer school.

2)    Encourage your children to read.

3)    Send your children to summer camp.

4)    Take your kids out on an educational outing.  

We have a variety of tours with knowledgeable guides that exercise your body and stimulate your mind. 

Banff Hiking: Explore the incredible beauty of Kananaskis Country in the Canadian Rockies on this 4-5 hour hike, suitable for all hiking abilities. You will learn about the history, geography, geology, flora and fauna of the Rockies.

Jasper Wildlife Tour: Visit the world famous Maligne Lake whilst looking out for bear, moose, elk, wolves, big horn sheep, eagles and even the odd marmot. This trip is great for children 5 years and older.

Whistler Bear Watching Tour: You will be guided by Michael Allen, a Black Bear Researcher of 20 years, who will educate you about black bears in their natural, beautiful habitat in Whistler, B.C.


We would love to hear your top tip to keep your children’s minds active. Leave us a comment!

Friday, July 5, 2013

Top Four Tips to Keep Kids Active this Summer



You may have noticed the odd scene in today’s technology: little children can fully operate and watch cartoons on tablets, and confused adults are wondering how their two-year-old unlocked their smart phone. An American study by The Kaiser Family Foundation revealed that young people spend an average of seven and a half hours a day on entertainment media. 

This is shocking!

Do you remember the days when you were outside all day during summer holidays? You might have been flying down the neighbourhood hills on bikes, playing sports (with made-up rules), exploring plants and bushes and eating the dirt beneath them.

However, research from award-winning environmentalist and scientist, David Suzuki, shows that today only 70% of Canadian teenagers and young adults aged between 13 to 20-years-old are spending an hour or less outside every day. 
Here are our top four tips to keep your kids active this summer:

1)    Give your kids a choice. If your kids aren’t too keen on outdoor activities, give them a choice between two. They will have to pick one or the other and will feel empowered that they had power in the decision. (This also works with other things you want your kids to do. Really, try it!)

2)    Play on your children’s strengths. Let your kids go to town on outdoor activities they love to do and leave the other not-so-loved activities by the door.

3)    Walk instead of taking transport. If your children are going to meet their friends who live a few blocks away, show them a shining example by walking them to their destination vs. driving.

4)    Pick a new, exciting outdoor event. Novelty is fun. Try something fresh and fun with your children. How about taking outdoor activities from your back garden to the river! We have a ton of exhilarating white water rafting trips suitable for children. They will love the change from their daily activities and you will love the serenity and quiet on your drive home from the trip.  

What is the strangest/coolest outdoor activity your child partakes in? Leave us a comment! We will post our favourite on Twitter.

Killer Whales Swim Into Vancouver Harbour


Many Vancouverites have stunning views of water when they peek out from their offices and residences. But not many people are accustomed to seeing seven to nine tonne mammals bobbing up and down outside their window.

This is what hundreds of excited onlookers witnessed on June 14 when two families of killer whales swam past Stanley Park and under the Lions Gate Bridge into the Coal Harbour area of Metro Vancouver. Not too shabby for a regular Spring morning in Vancouver.

Vancouver Aquarium’s Jen Derwojed thinks they were transient killer whales that were looking for food such as marine mammals. She said that the pod included: “two very large males and a few juveniles.”

The whales did a u-turn just before the Second Narrows Bridge in Vancouver and were followed by the Vancouver Aquarium staff towards Howe Sound. 

A Vancouver Aquarium representative says up to eight whales were swimming and rising up out of the waters that afternoon.
Luckily for Vancouver residents and tourists, whale sightings have occurred for four years in a row. Killer whales were seen near Jericho Beach in 2012, and in the Jericho harbour in 2011. And in 2010 a gray whale swam into False Creek, a saltwater inlet south of downtown Vancouver.

Want to see a whale but don’t want to wait for its surprise visit to Vancouver? Choose from a variety of action-packed trips leaving from Vancouver, Steveston, Victoria and Tofino. Our extensive whale spotting network has given us a 90% sighting success rate.

Have you ever spotted a whale when you weren’t expecting to? Tell us your story by commenting below!