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Company outing with an overnight stay: 15 ideas for teams

· By BookWorkations editors

Manor house with a walled garden and pruned fruit trees
Photo: Gareth James · CC BY-SA 2.0

A company outing with an overnight stay gives a team something a single day cannot: time to talk properly, without the clock of the office. It takes more planning, but the payoff is often bigger. This article gives you fifteen ideas you can combine, and tips for choosing a programme that suits your team.

When is an overnight stay worth it?

An overnight stay makes most sense when a team needs more than a few hours together. Think of teams that mostly see each other on a screen, departments that are getting used to each other after a reorganisation, or groups that work closely together but rarely talk outside meetings.

For a short outing of a few hours, a night away is usually too much. A stay with a night in it costs more, needs more planning and has to work for everyone. Be clear from the start about what you expect: whether attendance is voluntary or expected, and how much time it asks for.

15 ideas for the programme

Use these as building blocks. Pick a few, mix active and calm moments, and leave room for conversation.

  • Story round over dinner: everyone tells a three-minute story about work, a mistake or a win.
  • Escape room or treasure hunt in the afternoon, followed by a shared dinner.
  • Cooking workshop in small teams, with each team responsible for one course.
  • Walking or cycling tour with a task at each stop, such as a photo or a question to answer together.
  • Team quiz about the company's history, customers and sector, with questions written by the team itself.
  • Volunteer morning: work together for a local organisation, and agree on the task in advance.
  • Canoeing or boating on a lake or river, in pairs or small groups.
  • Spa afternoon, with a shared dinner afterwards. Keep it optional for anyone who prefers something else.
  • Film night with a film chosen by the group, followed by a short discussion.
  • Outdoor challenge course that asks for trust and communication, such as a blindfolded walk or a shared obstacle.
  • Early morning run, walk or yoga session for those who want to start the day together.
  • Music workshop, such as drumming in a group, where nobody needs to be able to play.
  • Tasting with a guide: wine, beer, whisky or local food, with time to talk about what people notice.
  • City game or scavenger hunt in small teams, ending at a shared meal.
  • A morning with no programme: a shared breakfast and free time, so people can talk without a plan.

Choose a programme that fits

Combine one shared activity with free time. A programme that is full every hour leaves little room for the conversations that matter most. A workable pattern is one shared activity on the first afternoon, a relaxed dinner, and a morning without obligations.

  • Choose activities that everyone can do, in terms of fitness, mobility and budget.
  • Offer an alternative for anyone who does not want to take part in an active activity, without making them feel left out.
  • Keep the group size in mind: in a large group, split the team into subgroups with their own task.
  • End with a short review, so the team can close the stay together.

Practical planning

Small details decide whether people enjoy the stay. These points are easy to miss:

  • Ask about dietary wishes in advance, without asking for the reason, and share only what the venue and caterer need.
  • Settle rooms and travel early, and agree who drives whom.
  • Make clear what the company pays and what people pay themselves.
  • Check how easy the venue is to reach by public transport, especially if not everyone has a car.

Finding a place to stay

Look for a venue that matches the programme: enough bedrooms, a room for group work, and space for a shared meal. On BookWorkations you can find venues for teams, and the offsite pages describe what different kinds of gatherings need.

Frequently asked questions

What does a company outing with an overnight stay cost?

That depends on the venue, the number of people, the season and the programme. Ask each venue for a quote per person and per night, including meals and activities, so you can compare offers on the same basis.

Should the overnight stay be compulsory?

It is usually better not to make it compulsory. An overnight stay is a big request, especially for people with care responsibilities or a full private life. Be open about what you expect, and consider a shorter attendance for those who cannot stay the night.

How long should an overnight outing last?

One night is enough for most teams. Two nights give more room, but ask more of the schedule and the budget. Choose the length that the group can realistically join.

How do I stop the outing from becoming just a party?

Give the stay a clear purpose, such as building contact between departments. Plan one shared activity and a short review, and keep the evening relaxed without leaving it unstructured.