The Most Powerful Team Building Activity Ever

Adopted from Chapter 10 of The Culture System

Summer 2018. The sun beat down, relentlessly, on the Indiana Wesleyan University men's basketball team. These reigning NAIA National Champions, a powerhouse with three titles in five years, were sweating through what should have been a standard summer trip abroad. But they weren't practicing jump shots or relaxing on a beach. Instead, they were passing buckets of heavy rocks, rebuilding a crucial bridge between two remote villages in the Dominican Republic.

The old bridge, lost to a flood, had left villagers dangerously isolated. For ten days, IWU's players dug cisterns and hauled materials in unbearable heat and humidity, with extremely limited water and no air conditioning. Afterward, they'd play exhausting basketball games in a nearby gym. Yet, ask any IWU player or coach, and they'll tell you this trip was pivotal. It instilled a profound sense of purpose. As team member Jonathan Mpanzu explained, "You can’t get the job done by yourself. You have to rely on your teammates.”

Head Coach Greg Tonagel uses this trip to forge his team’s "I AM 3rd" culture: God first, others second, self third. It's a countercultural approach in today's "me first" world. Tonagel, who has famously chosen longevity over bigger stages, knows deep influence comes with time. This commitment allows him to create unique, culture-defining events. Take their "Junkyard Workouts": grueling 6 AM Friday sessions on the football field, not met with groans, but with cheers and competition, coaches sweating alongside players. The lesson is simple: self-focus won't get you through. Years ago, players even started their own midnight Junkyard Workouts in June, embodying this selflessness.

This deep purpose isn't just for the off-season. Every January, amidst their busiest conference schedule, the team visits a local prison for a scrimmage and conversations with inmates. Players and inmates share stories, creating powerful moments of connection. What started as service for the forgotten evolved into an invaluable lesson in gratitude and selflessness – a critical reset when other coaches might fear injury risk or lost practice time.

Creating Purpose and Connection 

Consider Coach Kevin Orr of Rice Lake High School, Wisconsin. Facing a rebuilding season in 2019 after losing most of his talent, his commitment to a transformational culture of love and brotherhood remained unwavering. Heading into Christmas break with only one win, Orr stuck to his plan: hosting a basketball camp for kids with special needs.

He'd been worried about his players' engagement, but he communicated the event's significance. Each player was paired with a special needs athlete to mentor, tasked with understanding their individual needs during drills and activities. The camp concluded with photos and invitations to future games.

This experience provided a powerful perspective. "You and your players are reminded that being a part of this team isn’t just to play basketball, there’s a bigger purpose,” Coach Orr shared. Even as Rice Lake struggled on the court, they found inspiration to fight, to be grateful. Seeing their mentees in the stands sparked a real gratitude. Unprompted, his team even started attending Special Olympics practices to coach their own athletes.

The impact on the special needs athletes was profound, but the transformation in the Rice Lake players was equally so. After an unsurprising first-round tournament loss, Orr found his players supporting their athletes at the Special Olympics tournament the next morning, rather than moping. Like IWU, they had truly begun to put others before themselves, finding more joy and fulfillment in a 2-21 season than many 21-2 teams ever do.

Other coaches are building this too: Jonathan Toczynski at Woodbridge High School has a yearly tradition of his team playing games with the elderly at a nursing home (Episode 410). Graham Roxburgh, beyond taking his team on impact trips (Episode 404), founded Team Up (teamup.world) to help other coaches facilitate these transformational experiences worldwide. I can't take my daughter's U10 football team to Paraguay with them, but we sponsored their fundraiser to help a girls' soccer team there.

You don't need an overseas trip like Trinity Western or Indiana Wesleyan to foster a deeper purpose. Here’s some ways you can create this transformational team building event for your team:

• Connect with Team Up: Explore Team Up's website (teamup.world). If international travel is feasible for your team, they provide an incredible experience for you and your team. Or you can consider sponsoring a team through their Teamup with Teams program. 
• Local Service Event: Identify a local charity or community need. Partner with a homeless shelter, a senior living facility, or a special needs organization. Organize a day where your team volunteers, plays games, or hosts a clinic for that community. The key is to find a meaningful activity that requires your players to serve and connect.
• Mentorship Program: Initiate a mentorship program with a younger sports team in your community or a local youth organization. Assign your players to mentor younger athletes, focusing on character development and the joy of participation, not just skill.
• "Reverse Field Trip": Invite a local group (e.g., Special Olympics athletes, youth from an underprivileged community) to your practice or a special "game day" event, allowing your players to host, interact, and serve as role models.

Building a team culture of selflessness and purpose isn't just about winning more games; it's about developing better people, finding deeper joy, and creating lasting fulfillment.

If you haven’t already— don’t forget to order your copy of The Culture System. It’s the most simple and practical book for building team culture.