A Global Recipe for Fun
At Exalate, we’re serious about two things: building powerful integrations and having a great time while doing it. Following our legendary five-day Istanbul adventure last October (where we famously danced the Macarena on a Bosphorus cruise!) we traded Turkey’s vibrant spices for the wilds of the Belgian Ardennes.
With 27 of us coming together from all over the world—from Nigeria to Ukraine, Greece to the UK—we packed our bags (and helmets) and headed into the wilderness for a few days of fun, challenges, and unexpected surprises.
Little did anyone know what was in store as we arrived at the Wild Trails basecamp…
Adventure Menu: Something for Everyone
Our activities read like an adventure restaurant’s tasting menu, where everyone found their flavor of fun:
- Giant Volleyball: Where height differences suddenly became very relevant
- Katapult & Tangram: Build, Aim, Fire! Or… maybe the other way around
- The Fire Brigade: Putting out fires—Exalate style
- Rafting: Where syncing really matters
- Ziplining and Via Ferrata: Taking our team collaboration to new heights
- GPS Dropping: What could possibly go wrong?
- Laser Tag: The only time it’s acceptable to target your CEO
Day 1: From Screens to Screams
We were suited up for some intense team activities within hours of arriving. The giant volleyball game kicked things off. Picture this—teams of various heights and styles squaring off with a huge volleyball, causing chaos of mismatched reaches and heroic dives. And then there was Ugo, our multi-talented technical writer, towering above the crowd and claiming the title of volleyball hero! We cheered him on as he stood tall—literally and figuratively—against the odds.
Next up, we split into teams to build catapults out of random materials— no instructions provided. It was all trial and error as we pieced together our medieval masterpieces.
We then geared up for a childhood dream come true: becoming firefighters for the day. With helmets, hoses, and pumps, we had to tackle mock fires under high pressure (literally). This wasn’t just a drill—it was a full-on firefighting exercise with real gear. But we did it with flair—and only a few soaked shoes.
Next up was rafting, a real test of whether we live up to our motto, “We Are in Sync.” Some boats quickly found their rhythm, while others, let’s just say, paddled to their own beat. Rafting is always a blast, but adding the challenge of scooping up tennis balls adds a whole new level of chaos. Lots of laughs, and maybe a strategic “accidental” splash or two.
After an action-packed morning, we gathered under the warm sun for lunch and soaked up the good vibes.
The final highlight of the day? Conquering the Via Ferrata, Belgium’s largest. The climb was one for the books—some of us scaled the cliffs like mountain goats, while others (let’s be honest) may have spent a bit more time “enjoying the view.” But we all made it to the top, and that’s what matters.
After a day of adventure, we moved indoors for an evening of fun. Lots of cheers, questionable jokes, and unique dance moves—our team spirit was at an all-time high!
Day 2: Navigating the Unknown and the Great Management Hunt
We kicked off the day blindfolded, whisked away to a mystery location, and armed with GPS devices to find our way back. What could possibly go wrong?
With only each other and a dash of intuition, we stumbled through the forest, navigating by trust and a few wild guesses. And let’s be real, some groups were better at this than others, but no one got too lost, so we’ll call it a win.
Our final challenge was a fast-paced laser shooting game. While some ran for the kill, others strategically hid and hit. Whether as hunter or prey, we were a team at the end of the day. And let’s just say some of us have a future in strategic retreat.
As one teammate put it, “It was fun to shoot at Bruno and Ruben!” (Our product and sales managers—no comment).
In Sync, Across Borders
At Exalate, we believe that greatness comes from being in sync—not only with our work but also with each other. From overcoming height fears to reliving the day’s adventures around the campfire, we made sure to soak it all in. After all, we’re not just building an amazing product—we’re building a team that’s in it for the long haul.
I couldn’t be prouder of how we come together, both at work and out here in the wild. The energy, the trust, and the shared sense of purpose—that’s what sets Exalate apart.
-Hilde, Exalate’s co-founder
This is just the first chapter of our team-building 2024 adventures! With a globally distributed team, we’re excited to bring more experiences like this to other parts of the world.
Spoiler alert: Our next adventure is taking us to Barcelona- stay tuned for more stories.
Credits Are Due
Special thanks to our event mastermind, Sherene, who somehow managed to coordinate it all without once losing her cool. And to our co-founders Francis and Hilde, who proved that leadership isn’t just about vision—it’s about being willing to join the fun, even when that means becoming moving targets.
From cozy campfire moments to conquering new heights, dance-offs, and plenty of fun memories to last until next time: Operation Ardennes: Mission Accomplished
