Team Building Escape Room
2023, written by Cerie Taylor
I know everyone warned me that university was expensive but I didn’t expect to rob a bank halfway through.
Team building is kind of like Marmite. You love it or hate it. What comes to mind when you think of teambuilding - making a bridge out of straws? Three legged race? Going around the room with your name, pronouns, and an interesting fact about yourself?
I don’t think anyone can even pretend to enjoy those icebreakers.
Luckily for you, here at ESN forced enthusiasm is not obligatory - our wonderful board members put together such amazing activities that promises loads of fun and a lasting impression - and for my very first ESN teambuilding we did an escape room!
I have actually never done an escape room before, but have always wanted to. So when I found out we’d been booked slots at Gothenburg Escape Game, I was as hyped as I’d ever been to perform a heist.
The friendly staff will give you a run-down of what to expect while you hang up your coats and store your bags in the lockers on the way in. Don’t lose your key! Decide on a team name and divide up the groups and dive in.
There are multiple rooms with different themes (no spoilers here!) each with an allotted time slot of one hour to solve all the clues and exit the room. A fully immersive and interactive experience (I was handed a torch before I’d even walked in the door) I can tell you right now that it is INTENSE. Who needs to ride rollercoasters at Liseberg when you can lose your mind giggling because the clock’s ticking and you can’t find the stupid key.
No spoilers, but some hints. Touch EVERYTHING. If you’ve already looked, look again. The more people you have in your team, the better the experience will be. LISTEN TO EACHOTHER. Nobody wants a black eye when they’re supposed to be building morale.
Afterwards comes the opportunity to take a group photo as a memento from a fun day out with your friends. If you all are still talking to one another that is.
If you want to have a go yourselves, have a look at the Gothenburg Escape Game website to see past team photos, success rates, and public transport routes.
Written by me, a member of the winning team of ESN teambuilding: Escape Room Edition.
