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50 December 7 • 2017 jn Tamarack Camps Outdoor Education rebrands to attract more corporate team building. A fter more than 50 years oper- ating as Tamarack Camps Outdoor Education, the non- profit has rebranded its year-round experiential team building, leader- ship training and nature appreciation programs. It will now be known as the Tamarack Adventure & Retreat Center. "The name and logo change really help us tell our story," said CEO of Tamarack Camps Steve Engel. Outdoor education has always been a core aspect of Tamarack's identity, yet this organization is on a serious mission to grow the brand, extending its services to the broader community. Located on more than 1,100 acres in Ortonville, Tamarack Adventure & Retreat Center serves groups of all sizes and varieties. The Tamarack team now aims to increase its out- reach to more schools, universities, corporate teams and recreational clubs. Personalized day programs or overnight retreats are fully customiz- able to accommodate every- one's needs. Each program is specifically designed to meet a group's goals, whether those are team building, leadership training or out- door education, along with plenty of fun and relaxation. The Tamarack Adventure & Retreat Center program- ming guide includes more than 50 activities for groups to choose from, suitable for attendees of all ages and abilities. Popular choices include raft building, zip-lining, a high ropes course, and team-building activities complete with meaningful debriefing sessions to help groups and organiza- tions focus on their goals and aspira- tions. Participants can even opt for recreational activities such as archery, canoeing, hik- ing and fishing. For those in the business world, team building activities have many upsides. According to experts, companies should be lining up to take advantage of the unique opportunities and setting Tamarack pro- vides. "Offsite team build- ing creates trust, mitigates conflict, encourages communication and increases collaboration," according to a recent business story in Forbes maga- zine. "Effective team building means more engaged employees, which is good for company culture and boost- ing the bottom line. It can also be adventurous and enjoyable if you do it with a little pizazz." Tamarack definitely has pizazz. "With ropes courses, zip lines, a climbing tower and more, groups rely on each other in a way that encourages trust and cooperation," said Tracy Aronoff, director of marketing for Tamarack Camps. Southfield-based Zoup! Fresh Soup Company has ALISON JACOBS CONTRIBUTING WRITER camp guide Steve Engel Camp Not Just For Kids Anymore continued on page 52 Tracy Aronoff ABOVE: Wayne State University first-year and third- year medical school residents completing group initiatives.