Ideas for Group Outings at Work

[Trevytrev11]

Every year our department gets a budget to spend on "spirit" events, which are supposed to promote collaboration, teamwork etc. amongst our group.

Every year, we go through the same struggle of coming up with solid ideas and then struggle to get everyone to agree upon them.

Our group consists of 14 people (6 male and 8 female).

In the past we've done things like:
-go to baseball games
-happy hours/pub crawls
-go kart racing
-nintendo wii bowling tournaments
-gambling bus to casino
-trip to dog racing tracks

We've always wanted to split the group up between males and females and have the guys do a golf outing and the ladies do a spa thing, but it always gets shot down since it defeates the purpose of togetherness, etc.

Anyone else do these types of things at work and participate in anything that was really awesome?

Again, we have people aging from 28-52 of all different cultures and athletic abilities, so something physically demanding isn't going to fly.

Oh, if it matters, the budget per person is usually $200-$300 per person and we're looking for things we can do over the course of 6-8 hours.
Thanks,

Trevor

[The GIGGAS]

Re: Ideas for Group Outings at Work

Your work kicks my work's ***.

I have nothing to add.

[Warrior1214]

Re: Ideas for Group Outings at Work

We have done a couple things including a Karaoke night, baseball game, golf outing, and bbq. We are not usually allotted that much money per person, so usually additional funds go to alcohol.

[ImTellinTim]

Re: Ideas for Group Outings at Work

Let's see...we don't really do that here because there's simply way too many people that work where I work. The closest thing is the office I'm in has a team in the golf league for City and County workers. And the lame Xmas party where everyone just brings food into work.

Is there a big amusement park near you? You could see if they have some kind of group thing where you can rent out a lunch area to set up in.

You could set up a casino day/night where there's a bunch of different table games and have prizes for the people with the most chips at the end.

It's so tough to come up with something that everyone can really enjoy.

[RockinDaMike]

Re: Ideas for Group Outings at Work

Poker Tournament and bowling are the two most common I do with amongst a group of co workers. I've gone to baseball games and also gone to the shooting range with a group of co workers.

Where do you live? Try something outdoors like a hike, see some nature or with that much money you can do scuba diving which I always wanted to do.

[FlyingFinn]

Re: Ideas for Group Outings at Work

Here as few things we have done at the company I work for...

Bowling (the real kind)
Big Movie Openings (i.e. Avatar etc...)
Adult Arcade Outing (i.e. Gameworks, Dave & Busters etc...)
BBQ in public park (Volleyball, Horse Shoes etc...)
Busch Gardens
Happy Hour

[Sublime12089]

Re: Ideas for Group Outings at Work

Do you mind me asking where you work FlyingFinn?

[GAMEC0CK2002]

Re: Ideas for Group Outings at Work

Go to a team high ropes course...ziplining, obstacle courses, etc

Plan a field day

[nemesis04]

Re: Ideas for Group Outings at Work

We did a paintball outing and had a blast! You really get to find out who the people in the group who are not the favorites, lol.

[kehlis]

Re: Ideas for Group Outings at Work

With the budget you are allotted and the diversity of the employees, it just seems like you won't find anything "special".

In this situation the safe bet is probably the best bet. Reserve a room at a nice restaurant and enjoy the night...

I'd love to say go to a baseball game again as a group but that still doesn't necessarily satisfy everyone....