NBR and WDYT Clicky Poll

Christine.Louie

My work sometimes does what we call "residential training programs".  Basically this means that you stay on site during the duration of the training session, including spending several nights.  Usually this is because the training days are long (starting early, ending late) and they also want to promote after-hours bonding (and by after-hours I'm talking 10PM and onward...not your 5PM happy hour!).

Last time we stayed at King's Island Resort and while I thought the accommodations were fine, some folks complained that they weren't up to standard...lumpy beds and stuff.  While I acknowledge it wasn't 5* or what we might typically be used to on a business trip I felt it was reasonable...I've stayed in worse hotels before lol.  As additional information, the participants range between late 20s to 50s.

It has been proposed that for our next program we go to a camp.  The accommodations would be bunk beds and yes, this time you'd have a roomie.  For me, this was going too far and so I spoke up and voiced my concern but now I'm wondering if I was just being too whiney and a complainer!...

[Poll]

kel716

I voted SS.  I really think this depends on your relationship within your organization and how you went about it. 

There's always a way to state your opinion and remain professional.  But, part of being professional also means you know when to bite your tongue.  This is a very difficult balance to have... but I think in this instance I too probably would have spoken up and asked if there are other options?  This way you're not insulting the person who came up with the camp idea but also seeing what other ideas people have.  I hope that makes sense. 

sara401

I go out of town for meetings a few times a year.  We stay at ok hotels (hotels I would never personally choose to stay in) and we always share a rooms.  This is very standard in the industry I work in. 

I'm not sure what I would think about a camp, but I know that some of my friends go on retreats like that often.

Christine.Louie

kel716:

I voted SS.  I really think this depends on your relationship within your organization and how you went about it. 

There's always a way to state your opinion and remain professional.  But, part of being professional also means you know when to bite your tongue.  This is a very difficult balance to have... but I think in this instance I too probably would have spoken up and asked if there are other options?  This way you're not insulting the person who came up with the camp idea but also seeing what other ideas people have.  I hope that makes sense. 

Yeah well I'm on the planning committee for this particular one but I'm not tasked with the siting.  I basically brought up the fact that there were complaints about the last venue and I felt like this was a step in the wrong direction.  And, that I thought bunk beds/roomies were a bit age inappropriate.

sistrkate

This sounds a little too much like band camp to me.  i guess it depends on the length of time you'd be away.  I might be ok with it overnight, but I sure wouldn't want to do several days this way.  I like my privacy.

And I agree with kel, there are ways to go about it and be professional.  I don't think it's whiny to voice concern -- it's your job, not school, and definitely not family.

Christine.Louie

sara401:

I go out of town for meetings a few times a year.  We stay at ok hotels (hotels I would never personally choose to stay in) and we always share a rooms.  This is very standard in the industry I work in. 

I'm not sure what I would think about a camp, but I know that some of my friends go on retreats like that often.

We never share rooms and generally stay at Marriott, Grand Hyatt, etc...I think it's safe to say this would be atypical.  Even for the one camp event I have gone to for work were given the nicer rooms that were available and didn't share.

Christine.Louie

sistrkate:

This sounds a little too much like band camp to me.  i guess it depends on the length of time you'd be away.  I might be ok with it overnight, but I sure wouldn't want to do several days this way.  I like my privacy.

And I agree with kel, there are ways to go about it and be professional.  I don't think it's whiny to voice concern -- it's your job, not school, and definitely not family.

3 days, 2 nights.  I like my privacy, too...hence another suggestion I had was to see if the camp had different (non-bunk) accommodations.  I'm an introvert and need that time to decompress and recharge.  *Especially* after the intense types of trainings that these usually are.

KristenBtobe

I did an overnight at Camp Joy with my Leadership Northern Krntucky class. It was fun, but we spent the evening around the campfire drinking after a day of team building and ropes courses. We were in bunks in shared rooms, 10 or so of us in the room. I don't think I'd want to do more than one night though.

Christine.Louie

KristenBtobe:

I did an overnight at Camp Joy with my Leadership Northern Krntucky class. It was fun, but we spent the evening around the campfire drinking after a day of team building and ropes courses. We were in bunks in shared rooms, 10 or so of us in the room. I don't think I'd want to do more than one night though.

That's actually exactly where they proposed going and I'm guessing the bunks and rooms are the same/similar.  What did you think of them?  Please tell me they had A/C because this will be in Sept and we all know how hot and muggy that gets lol!

KristenBtobe

I think they were ac'd, I can't remember. It was cool at night. they were fine, I'm not a camper and I wasn't miserable. Camp Joy is a lot of fun.

Moesten

Frankly, I think the idea of *making* professional adults stay in those accommodations is absurd. Now if it were a voluntary retreat then that's a whole different ballgame but to be forced into what is essentially the accommodations geared towards children is ridiculous. These are professionals and they're adults and this is a professional event - the site should reflect as such.  

KristenBtobe

To be fair, parts of Camp Joy is geared for adults.

Christine.Louie

KristenBtobe:

I think they were ac'd, I can't remember. It was cool at night. they were fine, I'm not a camper and I wasn't miserable. Camp Joy is a lot of fun.

Well...at least that gives me some confidence in the place if that's what we end up doing!  Thanks for the honest feedback .

Christine.Louie

Moesten:

Frankly, I think the idea of *making* professional adults stay in those accommodations is absurd. Now if it were a voluntary retreat then that's a whole different ballgame but to be forced into what is essentially the accommodations geared towards children is ridiculous. These are professionals and they're adults and this is a professional event - the site should reflect as such.  

It's "voluntary" but really they mean VOLUNTARY ie: mandatory.  To get into the program you need to be nominated by your management.  It's pretty much frowned upon if you don't go.  This group is very much a support network within the company and so not attending events kind of gets you shunned in a way.