Walk the talk
Team building inspired by forest dynamics
How could forests inspire us in our lives and organisations ?
Walking in forests, heavens of diversity and fresh air, contributes to our well-being. This workshop explores how trees can inspire us in the way we live, work and relate with others.
This activity consists of a mornning hike followed by an afternoon workshop aims to tap into the experience forests and trees gathered over the last 400 millions years to build resilient and durable ecosystems. The objective is to explore in what way humans could benefit from such experience.
Trees have developed since 400 million years, before dinosaurs got extinct 67 million years ago and the recent arrival of Homo Sapiens 300'000 years ago. Forests are heavens of biodiversity, offering a multitude of habitats and food to fauna and flora.
Forests, trees and natural processes seem efficient in developing resilient ecosystems. Recent research has uncovered invisible mechanisms and dynamics, most of which happen underground, that contribute to the health of our forests.
Trees cannot move, yet can adapt and forests behave like coherent organisms. Trees interact, are interdependent and are hosts to an almost infinite diversity. Forests act, as it where, like a society.
A walk in the forest soothes us and contributes to our well-being, which is no surprise if we consider that we evolved out of the forest. Becoming sedentary 10'000 ago, we conquered the world and have tried to control most natural aspects that impacted our comfort. Doing so, we developed a society with amazing achievements, yet also questionable results.
This activity is an invitation to get back into the forest and explore how trees could inspire us in our lives and the way we build relationships. In the way we organise our institutions, companies and societies, in short how we can we tap into these 400 million years of experience.
The morning is dedicated to a walk through various types of forests and look at them with new eyes. We will observe, feel the atmosphere and breathe fresh air. Your guide will help you in your observations and understanding.
The afteroon will be organised as an outdoor teambuilding workshop based on themes gathered in the morning. As a group we will develop new insights on how forest societies can influence our own, applied to your specific context or challenges your are trying to address.
The specific organisation of the day will depend on your objectives and desired outcomes, that will be disussed during the preparation.
Program
A standard workshop is organised as follows.
9.00 to 12.00: Immersion and theme gathering
2 to 3 hours effective walk in forests of various types and quality.
Participants will immerse into the natural environment. They'll be invited to observe, question, share, learn and understand. The guide will help in reading the visible and learn about the invisible mechanisms and principles that govern the rich ecosystems one finds in forests.
The end of the morning will be dedicated to the gathering of a list of themes or principles that will be developed further in the afternoon
12.00 to 13.30: Lunch
A picnic will be organised and participants can relax and reflect on their learnings
13.30 to 17.00: Workshop (outdoor or indoor)
Participants will reflect and develop on the selected themes and see how to take new learnings back into their daily lives and organisations
17.00 to 17.30: Wrap up
Gear list
Rainproof backpack (approx. 25 liters)
Personal belongings and medication, telephone
Tick repellent
(High) hiking shoes with profiled / Vibram soles
Warm hiking clothes, at least:
1st technical layer, e.g. wool (avoid cotton), also for legs in case of low temperatures or wind
2nd warm layer with fleece jacket plus down (puff) jacket
Long pants and hiking jacket
If not waterproof: provide additional protection against rain. Evt. umbrella
Sunglasses, sun cream, hat, possibly a pair of light gloves
1 liter of water minimum, 2 liters maximum, possibly a thermos
Snacks, dried fruit, etc.
Walking sticks, camera, binoculars (recommended)
Pricing and Booking
You can place a booking request to obain a quote that we will confirm after having contacted you to finalise all details. Contact us for special arrangements
Special arrangement examples:
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Lodging / meeting room booking
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Organisation of outdoor workshops
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Catering on the way, picnics, for example cheese fondue, tea, biodynamic wine from Domaine de la Colombe à Féchy, Italian espresso coffee, etc.
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Wine tasting events
We offer VIP minibus transfer to the event's starting point.
Payment terms: 50% upfront, 50% after the event. 100% of the fees are due in case of cancellation 15 days before the beginning of the tour, and 50% for 30 days
Included
Guiding services by a mountain leader with swiss federal diploma of higher education
Coaching and facilitation
Fresh espresso coffee or tea and snacks at the morning welcome
Catering organised for lunch, specifics to to be agreed upon
Background information on the region, nature and landscape
Winter: snowshoes and sticks according to available stock, contact us
