Summer break may have just begun, but September is already around the corner. The start of the academic year is a big event for many students—it marks the beginning of a new chapter that will last for years. That’s why organizing a group activity during orientation week is becoming more and more popular.
The goal? To foster connections, strengthen class and study group cohesion, and help students discover the campus, its infrastructure, and key administrative departments that will support them. Here are 6 ideas to help ease the transition for new students.
Team building activities are designed to encourage interaction, support communication, and spark group cohesion. During these group games, participants get to know each other in a fun, collaborative environment.
Welcoming new students is a key moment in the school year for school and university administrators. Organizing an integration activity makes the back-to-school experience more fun and human. In a relaxed setting, students make connections and show their personalities.
Here are 6 Team Building ideas for your next orientation day.
To make orientation day a success, we recommend a group cohesion activity designed for the occasion. Discover our Team Building “La Grande Évasion,” a student integration special, that explores the university or school grounds—and the surrounding neighborhood—while creating new connections!
For many, starting school means moving to a new city—new surroundings, new landmarks. Urban treasure hunts are perfect for helping students discover their new home, its history, and cultural hotspots, while also encouraging communication and teamwork.
If you’re planning your student integration activity in Annecy, Lausanne, Geneva or Lyon, check out our outdoor digital Team Building experience, “City Explorer.”
Another great idea for on-campus or in-town activities: a photo rally featuring over 50 missions that help students discover their new environment. You can even customize the checkpoints within the school to help students get to know every corner—from facilities and student services to the cafeteria, library, or student union.
Students get to express themselves as part of a team and are encouraged to communicate and collaborate. They’ll get to know one another while forming bonds and cultivating a group spirit.
Whether you plan the activity on campus or in the city during orientation week, discover our “Urban Race” Team Building.
Bonus idea: Host the activity in a local green space to introduce eco-friendly practices, raise awareness of zero waste, and encourage reconnection with nature—an ideal back-to-school experience for new students.
Getting familiar with their new academic environment helps students feel at home. Organizing an escape game is a fun and group-friendly way for them to explore the premises.
In this version, mystery boxes are placed throughout the school. Teams of students have 66 minutes to solve as many puzzles and quizzes as possible, open the locks, and complete the challenges!
This group Team Building activity is perfect for your orientation day.
Want to create lasting bonds? Let students work together on a meaningful, shared mission. Today’s students are increasingly concerned about environmental issues.
Invite them to a workshop focused on tomorrow’s challenges and the actions—individual and collective—they can take. This will help them connect with the school’s values and may even spark interest groups.
This Team Building experience is ideal for onboarding new students: discover “The Climate Fresco” – a positive sustainability awareness workshop.
Since 2019, health concerns have changed how schools organize back-to-school events. Even during times of remote learning, welcoming new students remains a priority.
Thanks to digital tools, you can bring new students together with a virtual team activity. Connection, recognition, cohesion, and belonging are some of the key benefits you can expect from a remote group experience.
Don’t wait—discover our Virtual Team Booster Team Building !
Discover our team building activities !