Sapio Research, a London-based market research agency specialising in PR, B2B and tech, sought an unforgettable team-building experience for its annual away day. With a history of engaging in diverse activities like Taskmaster style challenges and clay pigeon shooting, the company was on the lookout for a unique and exciting experience.

Jessica Bunce, Co-Founder at Sapio commented: “We chose the Bear Grylls Survival Academy (BGSA) not only because of its association with Bear Grylls but also due to the activities on offer as they stood out amongst other team building providers. The team were intrigued by the idea of a survival-themed event that could be conducted indoors, making it ideal for the colder January weather. The Three Peaks Challenge appealed to us as it promised the perfect blend of team building, competition and fun.”

Bringing the mountains inside

The Three Peaks Challenge is a popular event in the UK where participants attempt to climb the highest mountains of Scotland (Ben Nevis), England (Scafell Pike) and Wales (Yr Wyddfa/Snowdon) in 24 hours. We took this as inspiration to design our own Three Peaks adventure to help bring teams together and enable them to use skills such as communication, delegation, decision making, motivation and strategic planning.

Anna Humphries, Development and Logistics Manager at BGSA said: “This event gives teams the chance to overcome mental and physical challenges through a series of fast paced indoor activities. It’s essential that they collaborate effectively to overcome any barriers and execute a strong ‘game plan’ to win the maximum points, beating their competitors.”

The event has 15 activities, lasts up to two and a half hours, and can accommodate around one hundred participants. It’s also suitable for any venue meaning the offering is ideal for businesses who are looking to incorporate it into an away day like Sapio did.

A company away day to remember

The Three Peaks Challenge took place at the luxurious Nutfield Priory Hotel in Surrey, a familiar venue for Sapio’s team building activities. 25 team members participated, representing a diverse mix of ages, genders, job roles, and physical abilities.

Following the company’s morning meeting, we transformed the conference room into a survival challenge arena, setting up activities that simulated the experience of climbing the three mountains. Our instructors briefed participants by outlining the day’s activities, explaining what each would entail, and providing clear instructions around each stage. Activities included challenges such as navigation through a rubber tire, throwing and balancing bean bags, and other mountain-themed puzzles which required team coordination and problem solving. Teams were split into competing groups and points were tracked in real-time, adding a competitive edge and keeping participants motivated.

Jessica Bunce added: “The team were both excited and apprehensive when they learned they were going to be taking part in a Bear Grylls style event. The requirement to fill out indemnity forms elevated these feelings further. However, BGSA instructors soon put everyone at ease with their enthusiastic attitude. The team loved their energy and they made activities enjoyable and easy to follow.”

Rivneet Mann, Research Manager at Sapio who took part in the event said: “It was very different to other team building events I’ve done previously, and I was really impressed with the instructors. All the activities were well designed and they really got the blood flowing. Everything was related back to the Three Peaks, so it felt like you were actually completing the challenge. The winning team was also awarded a prize which was a snood with Bear Grylls’s name and logo – this was the perfect memento, especially as my team won.”

The event was a resounding success leaving participants feeling closer and more connected. The shared experience of overcoming challenges fostered a sense of camaraderie and teamwork, and the feedback from Sapio was overwhelmingly positive. For example, some team members shared that it was the best activity they’ve evert done. As a company that employs a hybrid working approach, it also helped get employees out of the office and interacting with members of the team they wouldn’t ordinarily work with.

We asked Sapio what advice they would give to other businesses considering a survival-themed event. They replied: “It was a lot of fun and it was inclusive to everyone. We’re already thinking of ways we can do it again during the summer. Go for it as it will be a great experience for your team.”