+Detail Team Campout at Punderson State Park: Connecting Outside the Office

In August, the +Detail team visited Punderson State Park in Ohio for our annual summer campout. What began as a family camping trip has evolved into a firm and family-wide, recurring event where the team connects with nature, away from the office.

While we routinely collaborate on projects together in the office, this retreat allowed us a chance to connect on another level.
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Why Team Connection Matters at +Detail

At +Detail, genuine culture is a key value. Getting to spend time together with our families outside the studio builds trust and improves communication. We’re used to managing projects, client goals, consultants, budgets, and construction. But when the firewood is low or the air mattress deflates, coordination looks a little different. The org chart is out the window and anyone with a scout background takes the reins.

These deepened connections directly impact how we collaborate and work efficiently with respect for one another. Time spent setting up camp or gathering around the campfire sparked authentic connections and meaningful conversations.
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Outdoor Activities That Encourage Collaboration

Days at Punderson included swimming, kayaking, yard games, and hiking nearby trails. These moments allowed team members’ time to unwind, recharge, and connect in ways that wouldn’t happen during a workday.

Although the only deliverable was the food cooked over a campfire, the clients (our kids) weren’t shy about submitting requests for substitutions. Fortunately, resources were shared and there were ample amounts of s’mores for all.

A forty-yard dash has become the main event of the weekend. Egos are put into check where historically, a last-minute entry has prevailed each year. This year, Dominic dominated the race, securing first place effortlessly.
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Culture That Carries into Our Work

By the end of the weekend, we may have had a few bug bites and sore backs, but we returned to the office with stronger rapport, clearer minds, and a renewed appreciation for the team we design alongside each day.

At +Detail, we design environments that support healing and growth. The culture behind those designs matters just as much as the drawings themselves. Spending a weekend immersed in nature and away from the office, we’re able to reconnect with each other and strengthen the very foundation that supports our work. Because a well connected team creates innovative spaces for the people we serve.
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