The concept of using the outdoors as a tool was first developed in the 1940s by Dr. Kurt Hahn. The outdoors enhances personal as well as group thresholds. The crux of Outbound training lies in taking a group of people away from their familiar environment into the outdoors and placing a new, unfamiliar set of challenges before them, in the solving of which a whole lot of new equations are thrown up. The principle applied here is that when a team is thrown together in wilderness or adventure settings, where they have to fend for themselves and meet challenges together, there is growth in many directions.

In a tranquil and informal environment, up close with nature, people become more introspective and uninhibited, leading to a comprehensive and effective learning process. After spending a few days in an outdoor situation, team members bond well in an urban atmosphere. Additionally, in unfamiliar environments, unpredictable situations, and stretched beyond their typical comfort zones, people tend to lose their inhibitions, shed their masks and become more receptive to learning. In the environment thus created, it becomes possible for a sensitive and experienced facilitator to identify strengths and trouble areas and suggest new coping behavior.

The aim of the outbound program is carefully designed and executed to achieve specific organizational goals. These have pre-assigned goals and post assigned outcomes which are monitored by the University (SIU) Sports board DSRW team (Department of Symbiosis Recreation and Wellness team) with their outdoor specialists and experts in consultation with representatives from SIDTM, who analyze and understand organizational needs, and then draw up a program designed to cater to specific objectives. The areas Where Outbound Training is Effective are as follows:

• 1. Team Building
• 2. Communication Skills
• 3. Leadership Development
• 4. Change Management
• 5. Motivation
• 6. Personal Effectiveness
• 7. Interpersonal Skills
• 8. Partnerships/Alliances
• 9. Professional Effectiveness

Date: Day 1 (Theme- Ice Breakers) Outbound 2021

Time	Duration	Activity
10.00 to 10.15	15 min	Introduction
10.15 to 10.30	15 min	Ice Breaker Activities
10.30 to 10.50	20 min	Team Building Activity
10.50 to 11.00	15 min	Debriefing

Date: Day 2 (Theme- Team Talent)

Time	Duration	Activity
10.00 to 10.15	15 min	Ice breakers
10.15 to 10.25	15 min	Ice Breaker Activities
10.25 to 10.50	20 min	Open Challenges
10.50 to 11.00	15 min	Debriefing

Date: Day 3 (Theme- Team Challenges)

Time	Duration	Activity
10.00 to 10.15	15 min	Rhythmic activity
10.15 to 10.25	15 min	Open Challenges
10.25 to 10.50	20 min	Team Building Activity
10.50 to 11.00	15 min	Debriefing

Date: Day 4 (Conference)

Time	Duration	Activity
10.00 to 10.15	15 min	Ice breakers
10.15 to 10.25	15 min	Open Challenges
10.25 to 10.50	20 min	Team Building Activity
10.50 to 11.00	15 min	Debriefing and Feedback

In 2021 this was conducted as an online activity over four sessions of one hour each with breakout rooms for interaction induced for the new batch.

Empower Camp – Corporate Kabaddi

The students of the first year had an enthralling adventure for three days at the Empower Camp in November and December in the natural, the beautiful and serene environment offered by the Empower Camp’s “Corporate Kabaddi” program. With an emphasis on enhancing human effectiveness through personality enrichment, the camp offered an à la carte menu covering a wide variety of facilities and activities. The three days spent at the camp were full of fun, excitement and adventure.

The session had a plethora of activities, consisting of “A-frame”, Prahar, Multi-discs, raft building and more., which was a lot of learning and fun for the students. The learning gained from these activities will surely benefit the students throughout their life, both personally and professionally. The tents provided to us were well equipped, and 4 – 5 of us enjoyed each other’s company. The three days spent contained a wonderful experience as it gave us an open platform with nature and exploration. This activity helped us to learn new things.

The activities like “find your way” helped us learn the importance of mergers and acquisitions and the qualities of cooperating with peers. We also enjoyed boat making and then winning the race. At the end of the adventurous day, we were asked to go into the river to feel the water that refreshed us in no time.

ABSTRACT

We also enjoyed the trekking at the end of the session, where we learned the necessity of completely trusting each other in the task, as some people were blindfolded and others had to accompany them. It was an ice breaker concerning the perception that one cannot trust anyone in the corporate world. The tagline “learn n leisure” truly justifies itself when applied to this camp.

Some feedbacks from our batch mates – “Empower activity was a breath of fresh air from the hectic schedule of college. The expectations before going were that it would be relaxing, refreshing and rejuvenating with some important MBA lessons. However, it turned out to be so much more than that. It was full of adventure and exciting activities.