Experience is the best teacher!

Last May 30, 2014 is the last day of my summer internship. The following day, the NCRPO Command Group: RD, DRDA, DRDO, RCDS conducted a Team Building Seminar at Camp Benjamin, Alfonso, Cavite. It was an overnight activity. Their families are also present in the said event, other Police Officers, Police Non-Commissioned Officers, Non-Uniformed Personnel and staff members participated.

The beginning of the Team Building Seminar proper was held on Saturday at 5 o'clock in the afternoon. Some staff members facilitated and prepared the games and activities. On that day until midnight, people are still having fun, eating, playing, and getting to know each other since members came from different offices of the organization. 

On Sunday, breakfast was at 7 in the morning and activities started at exactly 9:30AM. Other staff members, PCOs, PNCOs and NUPs were divided into 2 groups: the Yellow team and the Blue team. Command group and their families are the Red team, but they were not included in the Team Building games. As an intern, even if I am a dependent, they consider me as one of the member of the organization and invited me to join the games and be part of a team. So I joined the Yellow team and they adopted me as well.

PDir Carmelo E Valmoria RD, NCRPO gave an introduction before the Team Building games began.

Me and PO1 Jeanne Birog poses before we proceed to the first station

Each team consists of 20 members with a team leader, but the team leader was blind-folded throughout the game. The Team Building Games have 8 stations, the first station is called the "Human Chain". Whereas, all members are seated in the field and the 5 persons seated in front of the line were carried towards the end of the line. As the last person reached the end, everyone will hold the ankle of the person next to you and crawl towards the end of the line in front. Then, the 5 hoola-hoops will be passed on towards the end, holding each others hands without breaking it. 

After this, our team ran to the next station, the see-saw and swing. On this station, the mechanics is just simple. All members must ride the see-saw and swing for 5 times. 

On our third station is the monkey bars, we just have to cross it.

Blue team's team leader, PSI Datuin crosses the bars

Next station is what they call "The Carpet" Only 7 members were needed to play this game, they just have to step on the carpet and it's up to the players on how they're going to move the carpet towards the end of the line, it was about 2 meters away from the starting line.

The 5th station is called "The Gravity" where we were formed into 2 circles, 1 hoola-hoop each circle, and with it, we must bring the hoop down the floor only with our pointer finger supporting it. 

On our 6th station, all members must do zip line. 

After that is the "Ball and Rope", 5 pairs need to roll the ball on a slightly inclined road using the rope. 

The Blue team is behind us. We didn't know that we were ahead of them. So in order to finish the race, we first did rappelling on a muddy field, cross a tunnel and climb the bars. Then, ran through the mud slide.

The Blue team after the mud slide

After this, we took pictures, our team kept on cheering and making some jokes against the Blue team. We ran towards the finish line, all members are overjoyed and excited to finish the game, being the FIRST and the Champion.

The Yellow team reached the home base

The facilitator of the Team Building Games are from Camp Benjamin, so everyone had the chance to participate with the games. Before the awarding, the facilitators explained the significance of each games or stations in our daily lives particularly in their workplace. 

The award from Camp Benjamin Team Building Facilitators

Me and PO1 Jeanne Birog after the game, all wet with water and sweat

The Blue Team's 2nd place award

Group Picture with the facilitators

After the Team Building Games, other activities were facilitated by the staff members. We also had our snacks and lunch. We also had time to relax in the Swimming Pool and ride the zip line again. The NCRPO Team Building Seminar ended with the Awarding Ceremony and we left the venue at around 5 in the afternoon. 

The Command Group with staff members who facilitated the other games

The Awarding from the Command Group

The personnel with the Regional Director and his wife after the games

Well, in Miriam College, we do an annual Team Building Seminar per course/department. And each Team Building Seminar either for students, corporate or government. I guess, Team Building Seminar has its goal. And it is to work together even if people have different attitudes, values, skills, talents, relationships and team processes in an organization. Despite of the differences, members of the organization still prove that they can identify what process to use to improve and work on an issue towards an effective work and achieve its highest performance. There were some objectives and purpose of conducting a Team Building Seminar. This can be for relaxation, strengthening the relationship of each members or having an harmonious relationship. This can also foster avenues for discoveries, this may serve as an inspiration and encourages members for other positive alternatives and thinking more creatively.

It was fun to know and be with other Personnel of the organization! :)