The Premise
Effective team building brings people together to build more effective relationships and ultimately performance. Seldom, however, do we truly get to pull back from the frantic pace of our work and look at our team from a human factors point of view. The Spiritrider Wagon Train experience allows teams to engage in a totally unique and foreign activity, requiring everyone to work and learn together. In some cases, it even provides a powerful catalyst for change, both personally and organizationally.

The Program
The program is designed around client needs and can cover a spectrum of offerings including team development and alignment, communication, team performance, team vision/mission/integrity development, and much more. The program can also be simply a way for the team to de-stress and regroup. We work with you to design the experience that will work for your team. Want to see what a typical day looks like? Click HERE.

The Setting
The program takes place on 57,000 acre Willow Creek Ranch near Casper, Wyoming, home of some of the Wild West's greatest legends. The Hole-in-the-Wall Gang, and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid were regular parts of this landscape. All the authenticity of the Old West is carefully preserved there.

The Ambiance
The feel of the Old West is part of this adventure from historic trails and rustic equipment to western clothing and authentic chuckwagon cooking. As such, we ask our participants to also wear authentic clothing. Period clothing should be rented or purchased ahead of time, but if it just doesn't work out for you, Wrangler jeans and a western shirt will do. Here's a pop-up list of what you should bring.

Equine Assisted Learning (EAL)
The focus of EAL involves setting up activities involving the horses which will require the client or group to apply certain skills. Non-verbal communication, assertiveness, creative thinking and problem-solving, leadership, work, taking responsibility, teamwork and relationships, confidence, and attitude are several examples of the tools utilized and developed by EAL.

Horses are very much like humans in that they are social animals. They have defined roles within their herds. They would rather be with their peers. They have distinct personalities, attitudes, and moods. An approach that seems to work with one horse, does not necessarily work with another. At times, they seem stubborn and defiant. They like to have fun. In other words, horses provide vast opportunities for metaphorical learning. Using metaphors, in discussion or activity, is an effective technique when working with even the most challenging individuals or groups.

Ask us about how we can use EAL at your next team development session or retreat.