[maerF0x0]

I'd extend the shared goals bit to include difficulty. Physically challenging, life risking, risk of failure etc... I've seen far too many "team bonding" setups fit all 3 of your criteria, but fail dismally to result in bonding.

[bumby]

Out of curiosity, what's the context of those team bonding exercises?

I'm curious if the failure is due to short duration and knowing you can revert back to your normal mode in a few days. Humans are creatures of habit, after all, and I don't think what I see in most corporate team-bonding exercises is enough to overcome that in most people.

[maerF0x0]

> unable to leave easily for months on end

Ah yeah, i think i missed this on first pass. Yes they were typically < 1 week.