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Footprint Adventure hosted its annual staff development workshop and corporate retreat from August 1 to August 3, 2025, at Ananda Bilas Resort in Panauti, Kavrepalanchok. The three-day program featured immersive learning, structured team building, and active community involvement. Altogether, 19 participants, including the operations team and trekking guides, gathered to develop skills, share knowledge, and build co-operative skills.
The program incorporated professional development training with fun and engaging team-building games and sessions. Participants explored the nearby village through a short hike and honored each other's achievements at an award distribution ceremony. From setting important goals to applying skills in the field, the retreat strengthened teamwork and helped staff feel more connected to our mission and community.
Mission and Retreat Overview
Footprint Adventure creates meaningful and sustainable travel experiences that connect adventurers with local communities and encourage personal and professional growth of its staff. There are over 20 dedicated and committed team members, from operations to field guides, focused on responsible tourism and continuous learning. Our leadership clearly understands that growing our staff is the foundation for growing our company.
The 2025 retreat aimed to:
- Enhance the experience and knowledge of team members to encourage ongoing learning and development.
- Encourage and inspire staff members to excel in their future roles, and explore creative and innovative ways to enhance organizational development.
- Strengthen interpersonal relationships to foster a cohesive and collaborative work environment.
- Create a supportive environment that enhances the overall health and resilience of all staff members.
The retreat lasted for a few days, starting on day one with a group travel to the retreat venue, followed by a group community clean-up hike. Day two included meaningful workshops and educational field visits. Lastly, on day three, the participants had a chance to reflect on their experiences, discuss highlights and takeaways, and create plans before returning to Kathmandu.
Getting Oriented and Exploring Local Surroundings
Footprint team members arrived at the office by 10:30 am. The 19-member team left around 11:30 pm for Panauti, Ananda Bilas Resort. The ride took almost 3 hours, and after a quick refreshment, the team went for a hike around the village. The village was clean with well-maintained local farms. The team engaged with the community, observed Lakhe Dance in the local temple, and even learned a few local music techniques with the children. The day ended with the group returning by 5 pm.
Workshops and Skill Development
Yoga, Stretching, and Sound Healing Session by Mr. Asish Kafle
The first session of the day was conducted by Mr. Asish Kafle, a yoga instructor and experienced yoga guide in the Himalayas. During the one-hour session, Mr. Kafle taught the team a full-body yoga and stretching routine that focused on increasing flexibility from head to toe.
These exercises are especially useful for trekkers to help prepare their bodies prior to starting a trek. Mr. Kafle also showcased a form of sound healing therapy with singing bowls, describing the benefits of this. The session also emphasized the benefits of regular yoga and meditation on physical and mental wellness.
Map Reading and Navigation Session by Mr. Abhishek Dhital
Mr. Abhishek Dhital facilitated an important workshop on basic map reading and navigation. Every participant was given a notebook containing maps and a compass to practice during the workshop. Mr. Dhital provided instruction on reading maps, identifying trails, landmarks, and landscape changes. He also demonstrated ways to use a compass to determine direction and align it with a map. The focus was on the practical skills necessary to help the team navigate safely and with confidence while trekking.
Basic Videography and Photography Session by Mr. Samir Sharma
Another important session was hosted by Mr. Samir Sharma, the office graphic designer, who introduced the team to basic videography and photography. He taught the team basic videography and photography skills. The session covered essential techniques such as framing, lighting, and camera angles to capture better photos and videos. He also discussed how to best use your smartphones and cameras, creating practical tips for when they are out on the trek and fieldwork. The purpose of the session was for the team to document their experiences in a more professional and creative sense.
Digital Marketing and Content Creation Session by Mr. Pramesh Shrestha
The following session was presented by Pramesh Shrestha on digital marketing and content creation. Pramesh provided the group with an overview of online marketing and how to optimize the various social media platforms to engage and capture a wider audience. He provided many practical examples of engaging content creation, such as writing posts, taking interesting photographs, and keeping the messaging consistent. The session was intended to teach the team many skills that would allow them to promote their work, connect with a new audience, and engage more effectively in the digital space.
Basic Hygiene and Sanitation Training by Ms Aayushma Bhandari
Following the break, Aayushma Bhandari facilitated a session on basic hygiene and sanitation specifically for guides and porters. The session provided the guides and porters with some practical knowledge about basic hygiene and sanitation practices to maximize hygiene practices and minimize the chance of getting sick while on trek. In the session, we discussed handwashing, food safety practices, personal hygiene practices and how to manage waste while on the trail. The primary goal was to raise health and sanitation awareness for the benefit of both the team and the communities with whom they work.
CPR Training Session by Ms Salona Dhungana
The last workshop was presented by Salona Dhungana, a qualified nurse, who presented CPR adapted for outdoor and trekking environments. She presented the appropriate technique for performing CPR, and going over safety considerations when performing CPR on trail. Salona explained how to analyze an emergency and the proper steps to take afterwards. Participants reported that they now felt more capable of being able to react to an emergency occurring while trekking or engaging in any outdoor activity.
Improvement Plans and Employee Honor
Once every session was finished, the whole team came together for an overall meeting that included brainstorming for better trekking experiences and ways to continue with organizational development. The planning discussion included the upcoming season, issues that were highlighted in previous treks, and thoughts on how to continue to develop teamwork and communications for better operations. The review of our performance last season provided an opportunity to highlight things to improve on and successes that we could build upon.
The Head of Department (HOD) led a focused discussion on employee development that revolved around more training, improved infrastructure, and increased resources to develop and support their staff and promote employee wellbeing.
The meeting ended with an award ceremony, recognizing exceptional team members. Mr. Laxman Adhikari was awarded Best Guide and Field Player for 2024/2025, and Miss Aayushma received Best Operations Team Member. Mr. Abishek Dhital and Ms. Shanti Dhamala were awarded most reviewed guides, recognizing their exceptional commitment and accomplishment as field players.
Reflection and Moving Forward
At the end of the retreat, the team gathered for a final discussion about what they had learned and accomplished over the past three days. Each person shared their reflections on the skills they had practiced, the ideas they had developed, and the friendships they had built. They also talked about ways to improve trekking experiences, make daily work better, and support each other more both on the trail and in the office. The team left with a strong sense of pride, renewed energy, and clear plans to put their ideas into action when they returned to Kathmandu.
