A well-planned company retreat can do what no meeting room ever could: bring your people together, spark creativity, and strengthen your culture in ways that last long after everyone returns to the office.
But there’s a difference between a “meeting in the woods” and a true retreat that inspires, engages, and energizes your team. The best retreats are thoughtfully designed. They are part strategy, part surprise, and a whole lot of planning in between.
Whether you’re planning your first onsite retreat or looking to elevate the next one, here’s how to set your team up for success.
Start with Purpose: Why Are You Retreating?
Before booking the bus or designing the agenda, start with the why. What do you want your team to walk away with?
Your purpose will shape everything, from the tone of the retreat to the location and activities you choose. Maybe you’re:
- Aligning your leadership team around next year’s goals
- Strengthening collaboration across departments
- Introducing a new company vision or culture initiative
- Rewarding your staff after a demanding quarter
Defining clear goals gives your retreat focus and ensures the experience is a fun getaway and a meaningful investment in your people.
At Sugar Lake Lodge, we often see teams arrive with a clear intention like “Let’s reconnect and rediscover our vision.” The beauty of stepping outside the office is that those intentions tend to naturally unfold.
Choose the Right Location
Your environment has a direct impact on your team’s mindset. When people are surrounded by nature, their brains relax. It makes them more open, creative, and collaborative. That’s why location matters.
A great retreat venue should:
- Be free of distractions. No honking horns, no office drop-ins, no inbox notifications.
- Encourage connection. Spaces that feel inviting and comfortable foster better conversations.
- Offer a mix of indoor and outdoor environments. Breakout sessions on a lakeside deck? Yes, please.
At Sugar Lake Lodge, teams have the best of both worlds. You get spacious, modern meeting rooms with lake views, plus endless opportunities to recharge outdoors. You also get guided team-building activities to casual bonfire debriefs, every part of the environment supports connection.
Build an Agenda with Intention (and a Bit of Breathing Room!)
A retreat agenda should strike a balance between structure and spontaneity. Too rigid, and it feels like work. Too loose, and productivity slips away. The key is to design flow. Try alternating between high-energy sessions, reflective time, and social connection. For example:
- Morning: Strategy or leadership workshops
- Afternoon: Team activities (kayaking, challenge courses, or group hikes)
- Evening: Dinner and downtime. This is where some of the best ideas surface organically!
Make sure to include some “white space.” Those unscheduled moments often lead to the most meaningful conversations. Need some help? At Sugar Lake Lodge, we help teams customize agendas that balance focus with fun. We also take care of the logistics so leaders can stay fully present.
Get Your Team Ready
Communication is everything. Set expectations early, especially if this is your team’s first retreat.
A few tips to help your people feel prepared:
- Share the purpose and goals — so everyone knows why they’re going.
- Outline what to pack — casual clothes, outdoor gear, notebooks, and an open mind.
- Build anticipation — hint at a few surprises or activities without revealing everything.
You want the retreat to feel exciting and planned, but not like another meeting with snacks. When your team feels part of something special, they’ll show up ready to engage.
Keep Some Things a Surprise
The best retreats leave room for delight. Whether it’s an unexpected team challenge, a fireside guest speaker, or a sunset boat cruise, surprises keep energy high and create shared memories that last.
Try planning:
- A “mystery activity” that encourages creativity
- A surprise happy hour or other fun event
- An immersive experiential challenge that requires critical thinking
Small details like these transform an agenda into an experience.
Make It Experiential
Learning doesn’t stick when people just sit and listen. That’s why experiential retreats that involve movement, play, and problem-solving are so effective.
We specialize in hands-on activities that build trust, communication, and leadership in real time. Whether it’s outdoor team-building exercises, creative workshops, or guided reflection sessions, participants learn by doing, and that’s what makes the lessons last.
Customize for Your Culture
No two organizations are alike, and your retreat shouldn’t be either. The most successful offsites are tailored to your company’s culture, values, and goals. That might mean a high-energy agenda packed with challenges, or a more relaxed retreat focused on mindfulness and connection.
Retreats are also about team connection, and they’re also an incredible opportunity for personal growth. Encourage team members to reflect on their own goals and leadership styles and give them the space to do it.
Bring It All Home
Things don’t end when the retreat does. Schedule a follow-up session once you’re back at the office to revisit key takeaways and celebrate progress.
Ask questions like:
- What did we learn about ourselves as a team?
- What changes do we want to carry forward?
- How can we keep this momentum going?
The best retreats recharge your team and reshape how they works together moving forward.
Your Next Great Retreat Starts Here
Planning an onsite company retreat takes effort, but it’s one of the most rewarding investments you can make in your people. The right environment, agenda, and sense of purpose can transform how your team collaborates and communicates for months to come.
At Sugar Lake Lodge, we make it easy to bring your vision to life with scenic spaces, experiential learning opportunities, and a team that handles the details so you can focus on what matters most: your people.