Building Synergy through Adventure
Work can be stressful and can easily wear one out. There is always need for a break; a time during which one is given the opportunity to rejuvenate and regain energy as well as wash down the weary routine and boredom which takes one down. In many organizations, that period comes in the form of paid monthly leave, but in essence, that doesn’t bring the needed cohesion and teamwork which should be a common facet of any serious organization that is geared towards gainful productivity. One of the best ways to boost the morale and productivity of co-workers is to take them for a holiday as a team.
That was the very experience that my co-workers and I were privileged to last festive season just before winter came falling when we had a visit to Nehalem Point. The management decided to give us an all-paid holiday experience to Nehalem Point as part of team-building and had to partially shut down the offices while leaving only key department in operation with a promise to have 
A total of 48 employees, both managerial and operation workers were to take a vacation together. Quiet a good number for vacationing as well as team-building and morale boosting together as we had a whole week of getting to know each other well and bonding in a more spirited manner.
No Man is an Island of His Own; We all need Each Other
However, out visit started from the Pacific Northwest Coastline of Oregon. The very day that we arrived in the region we spent that afternoon playing volleyball for a great workout, as well as other games in the white sands of the coastline as we discussed the best way to blend in together all the while having fun. That afternoon was a nice one. Though the weather wasn’t as friendly as we have wanted it to be, no one was bored. The beauty of the white sands was splendid and a real secret to happiness.
That evening we stayed at a cottage in the area surrounding a bonfire and drank some rum and other booze. There those of us who went to bed past midnight, but I did choose to retire early so that I could have energy for the activities that were scheduled for the next day.
And the main activity that day was surfing followed by canoeing in the afternoon. I’m a good surfer and those who were good like me were instructed to be the instructors of the others as we were divided into groups though we still had good instructors from the company that we had purchased surfing packages.
I was to teach my senior supervisor and three other colleagues. He was a tough guy at work, but out here in the field he was the one to follow my instructions. That’s why I claim that the holiday was good for mentorship and team-cohesion. He wasn’t a fast learner and he took most of the entire morning before he could get on board unlike the others in my group. Anyway, eventually, he was able to mount a board and even break the tiny currents that featured that beautiful morning.
In the afternoon we went canoeing with my group and it was a good experience as we took turns to paddle along the shores of the pacific. All through this period we treated each other as equals and not like a boss and a junior. We shared experiences, loved together and even planned of making a visit to another place together.
Harmonious Relationships and Joint Efforts can Help Build Lasting Relationships and Fosters Pride of Fellowship
The fifth day of the vacation was the real eye-opener for the need to be and live harmoniously with each other. The previous day we had spent the night at Nehalem Point where we had arrived on the third day for sightseeing. We then hiked the following morning with our backpacks till we reached the beach of Manzanita. We had come here to some boating because we had been guided that the ocean part of this region had wonderful waves and we really wanted to check them
We arrived shortly after 9 in the morning and met many surfers who were there enjoying themselves as they surfed. The company that we had booked for the boating adventures with was already there. In groups, we set out to paddle in the amazing waves of Manzanita. We had gone about two miles deep into the ocean when calls for alarm came as the groups behind us started screaming. Apparently, one boat had capsized due to the occasional strong brisk winds and there was need to rescue them.
I was among those who dived in the cold ocean waters to look for my colleagues. Every good swimmer was in the water and we did our best to bring our colleagues out, thou one co-workers had to be resuscitated and rushed to the hospital after the incident due to hypothermia. It showed how much we could all do together as a team while helping each other in areas of difficulties. We all realized that we needed a common fellowship for better productivity and eventually good pride.
