The 17th century adage, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy,” rings just as true now as it did almost 400 years ago. Studies show that work-life balance is vital to employee satisfaction and productivity—not just through reasonable hours, but by providing opportunities to relax and socialize with coworkers.
According to Fast Company, the goal is to create “conditions that enable people to unlock their potential and perform at the highest possible level, which is not possible if they are bored, alienated, or stressed.” Activities can relieve stress, increase engagement, build trust, and bring teams closer together.
“We want everyone to be comfortable around each other and to talk to each other,” says Luke Markey, co-owner of ShieldCo Art. “It's important knowing we can trust each other, talk, and support each other.”
However, events shouldn’t exist just for show. Local staffing company iHire notes: “Creating events and mid-workday parties that focus more on showing appreciation for the employees themselves will help you improve your company culture.”
Getting team input helps create meaningful activities that align with company values. Some teams enjoy giving back through volunteer work, such as charity walks or trail cleanups. Others may prefer outdoor activities like ropes courses and picnics.
“The experience itself encourages person-to-person communication and provides things to talk about later,” says Ashley Schweinhart, site and marketing manager for TreeTrekkers. River and Trail Outfitters also offers tubing, rafting, and bike scavenger hunts for team-building.
Inclusivity is essential. “Consider the employee’s abilities and supports,” urges Sean Lore, director of the Scott Key Center. Not all disabilities are visible—some employees may need interpreters or prefer smaller groups. Companies should ensure events are adaptable and accessible for everyone.
Some employees also prefer to keep work and personal life separate. In those cases, quick, low-pressure games during the workday—like trivia, Boggle, or themed dress days—can be fun alternatives. Even simple gestures like catered lunches or paper airplane contests can boost morale.
Indoor venues such as Frederick’s four escape rooms—Escape This, Level Up VR, SurelockedIn, and ClueIQ—offer collaborative, low-stakes fun. For something different, C and C Rage Factory lets coworkers blow off steam, while creative spots like Hot Fired Arts, LiveYoungCandles, and AR Workshop host pottery, candle-pouring, and DIY décor sessions.
Booking local venues also supports other Frederick businesses—a win-win for the community.
Great teams don’t just happen — they’re built. And yet 68% of employees HATE mandatory social activities. So how can employers and managers encourage stronger collaboration, inspire creative thinking, and motivate without alienating over half their team?
Team bonding isn’t just about fun and games—it’s about building trust, improving communication, and boosting morale. Strong teams are more productive and engaged, while enjoying higher morale and job satisfaction.
Do:
1. Set Clear Objectives: Define your event's purpose and desired outcomes.
2. Understand Your Team: Tailor the event content and format to resonate with the target attendees.
3. Keep Boundaries: Respect your team's personal time, plan events/workshops during business hours as much as possible and make it clear if the event is mandatory.
Don't:
1. Ignore Attendee Experience: (Remember the 68% haters?) Failing to consider things like accessibility, comfort, or engagement can lead to negative feedback.
2. Overcomplicate the Program: A busy or overly complex schedule can overwhelm your team and lead to poor results.
3. Include adult beverages: These events are work centric and introducing alcohol will affect the authenticity of the experience and may actually be uncomfortable for those avoiding alcohol for personal reasons.
Not all team-building styles fit every team. Team building isn’t about big, loud, flashy events. It’s about small, meaningful connections and habits.
If you want stronger teams, build a culture where people feel safe, heard, and supported — every day.
Naomi Pearson is an accomplished journalist who began writing features and short articles for local magazines about people, activities, and community issues particular to Frederick County, shortly after moving to the area in 2009. She freelanced as a side hustle to her day job in her previous role as a technical writer and editor. She also was a Citizen Blogger ("Fresh in Frederick") for the Frederick News Post until the program was discontinued in 2017.
