Book a Bus to Forest Adventure (Bedok Reservoir) for Team Building

Book a Bus to Forest Adventure (Bedok Reservoir) for Team Building

Does your team need a break from the concrete jungle? Forest Adventure, located at Bedok Reservoir Park, offers an exciting aerial obstacle course that will get your colleagues climbing, zip-lining, and cheering each other on amidst lush greenery. It’s the perfect setting to build trust and communication as everyone tackles rope bridges and zip lines over water. One of the best ways to ensure a smooth outing is to book a bus to Forest Adventure, so your whole group arrives together at this east-side location without any navigation worries. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to plan a successful team-building event at Forest Adventure in 2025. Get updated info on operating hours, course options (including the Grand Course, Junior Course, etc.), what facilities to expect, how to manage different group sizes on the course, and why private bus transport simplifies logistics. By the end, you’ll see how a day in the treetops can bring your team closer – and how to make it happen effortlessly.

About Forest Adventure (Location, Hours, Courses)

Forest Adventure is situated in Bedok Reservoir Park, with the park address given as Bedok Reservoir Park, Singapore 479244. The site is on the reservoir’s eastern edge near the Forest Adventure hut and gear-up area. It’s about a 10-minute walk from Bedok Reservoir MRT, but since you’ll likely have a bus, it can drop you at the small car park next to the Forest Adventure entrance for utmost convenience.

Operating hours (as of latest update) are: Tuesday–Friday 9:30am to 6pm, Weekends & PH 9:30am to 6:30pm, with the park closed on Mondays except public holidays. Keep in mind the last start times for the courses: on weekdays, the last departure for the Grand Course is around 3:30pm (earlier on Mon, since they close early), and on weekends around 4pm. This is because they want everyone to finish before dark. So if you’re doing an afternoon session, arrive well before those cutoff times. Morning sessions (right at opening) are also great when it’s cooler. They operate in almost all weather except lightning – a light rain is fine (makes it more adventurous!).

Forest Adventure has different courses: The Grand Course is the main adult course – 44 obstacles divided into 3 loops, including 3 zip lines across the water, typically taking about 2.5 hours to complete for novices. The Junior Course is a mid-level for teens or less confident adults (about 26 obstacles, lower height). The Kids Course is for little ones (age 5-9), which likely isn’t relevant unless your event is a family day where staff bring kids. They also have the big 300m zipline called “The Big Zip” as a standalone element, and a leap-of-faith jump station. For corporate groups, most will do the Grand Course if everyone is adults and up for it. But note: if some team members are very anxious with heights, you might let them do the easier Junior Course which has a bit less elevation and challenge. The courses are self-guided (after an initial safety briefing), meaning participants move at their own pace with instructors supervising from ground. You wear a safety harness with a continuous belay system (a C-clip that never unhooks until the end). There’s a minimum height of 1.5m for Grand Course and weight limit of about 120kg – ensure your team meets requirements. It’s also physically moderately demanding – being able to climb a rope ladder and having decent balance is needed. But no prior experience is necessary; many office workers have done it successfully!

Team-Building Elements at Forest Adventure

Facing Fears Together: The core of team building here is psychological support. As colleagues navigate wobbly bridges or leap off the Tarzan swing, they’ll naturally encourage each other. To harness this, you can implement a buddy system: pair up team members to go through the course one after the other. Buddies can shout tips (“Move your carabiner above the rope!”) and moral support (“I’m right behind you – you’ve got this!”). This not only helps the timid, but also bonds pairs who might not usually work closely. You’ll often see a louder cheer from coworkers than from random participants – leverage that by maybe assigning mini “cheer squads” on the ground for key challenging obstacles. For example, when someone is about to do the Tarzan jump into the cargo net, have their team on the ground do a countdown and cheer wildly when they jump. It creates memorable moments of collective encouragement.

Friendly Competition: If your group is large enough to split, you could add a competitive angle: See which team finishes the Grand Course fastest (combined time of all members, or average). Or set up a challenge for each section: which team can get all members across the wobbly logs without a single person slipping off (onto harness)? That might be too hard to track, but you could do simplest – first team to have all members complete the course wins bragging rights or a prize. Ensure safety isn’t compromised by rushing though – emphasize steady teamwork over reckless speed. Another fun competition is the zipline splash: the final zip over water often ends in some landing style. No actual splash landing (you stay dry), but you can challenge teams to do a funny pose on the zip and have ground staff or your own people score style points. This keeps even waiting time engaging as others watch and laugh.

Communication and Problem Solving: There are a few obstacles that truly test strategy, like swinging from one hanging rope to another. Observing and discussing approach can be a team exercise. You might encourage teams to huddle before certain segments to devise a plan: e.g., “How will we all tackle the tightrope? Let’s share tips after the first person goes so the rest can benefit.” This simulates workplace problem-solving – the first person is like the pilot test, then knowledge is transferred. Deliberately ask someone to be the pioneer and later “coach” others based on what they learned. Rotating this role fosters leadership and trust. By the end, colleagues will have a trove of shared hacks (“We learned that bouncing less on the net helps others behind you”). Debrief these learnings in a closing talk about communication and continuous improvement, relating back to work scenarios.

Ground Challenges Between Obstacles: Note that only a portion of the group is on the high course at any given time (others might be on ground waiting for their turn if congestion, or taking a rest if split group). You can utilize ground time to run mini-games. For instance, while half are on the course, the other half could do a quick “trust fall” exercise with facilitators or a blindfold rope shape game under the trees. However, often at Forest Adventure, everyone starts the course one after another in a circuit, so there isn’t much idle time except short waits at platforms. But if you do split into two batches (one doing course, one doing a separate activity, then swap), you can incorporate something like a nature scavenger hunt in Bedok Reservoir Park for the waiting group. The park has a lakeside track, you might send them to find certain plants or do a short orienteering task. This keeps energy up and engages those on the ground. But keep them within the vicinity to swap smoothly.

Facilities and Support at Forest Adventure

Forest Adventure is an outdoor setup, but it has some essential facilities:

  • Gear Station & Briefing Area: Upon arrival, your group will check in at the kiosk, sign waiver forms (if not done online ahead), and get fitted with harnesses and helmets. There’s a sheltered briefing area where an instructor will demonstrate how to clip on, use the zip line pulley, etc. This is a good time for team leaders to encourage everyone (“Pay attention, safety first!”) and perhaps do a fun chant to gear up nerves. They do have a place to store your bags – usually lockers or a designated crate – because you shouldn’t carry loose items on the course. It might be easiest to leave valuables on the bus (with driver) and just go with minimal stuff. But small lockers (limited) or keeping items with a non-participant are possible. Clarify with them about group locker use.
  • Restrooms & Water: There are public park restrooms within a short walk (not on site itself but nearby in Bedok Reservoir Park). Advise team to use the toilet before gearing up, since once you start the course, you’d have to come down to go. Drinking water – it’s wise to bring your own bottles. They might have vending machine or water at the kiosk, but not sure. Given the physical effort, hydration is important. You could assign someone or your bus driver to bring a cooler of cold water bottles, which can be available at the finish point (imagine the delight of a cold drink after a hot course). Also, maybe snacks like bananas or energy bars for after, as people might be peckish.
  • Safety & Instructors: The facilitators at Forest Adventure are friendly and keep an eye out, but they won’t be physically coaching each person unless needed. They will step in if someone is really stuck or panicking – there are safety procedures to lower someone down if they cannot continue. It’s good to know that bailing out is okay if someone can’t complete – they just call an instructor. Encourage your team to at least try everything, but also respect if someone decides to skip a section (they can take an exit route at certain points). The presence of your colleagues cheering often helps people push past initial fear. In any case, emphasize safety first: no horseplay on the ropes, one person per obstacle at a time rule, etc. It might help team cohesion to recite a quick safety pledge together after the official briefing (“We commit to look out for each other!” etc.).
  • Ground Space & Observation: There’s a nice grass clearing at the start and end of the course where people can mill around, take photos, and watch some of the zipline landings. You can set up a picnic mat or two as a “basecamp” with your cooler and first-aid kit. Staff have first aid for any minor scrapes (blisters, etc.), but have some plasters just in case. The park environment is pleasant, but do apply mosquito repellent since it’s near woods and water. If your team is waiting in batches, they can take shade under trees. The bus could also serve as a waiting area if parked nearby and if the driver is amenable (with AC on, that’s a haven if it’s very hot or if someone needs a break). But likely everyone will want to watch the action rather than sit away in the bus.
  • Completion & Team Acknowledgment: When each person completes the course, it’s nice to do something like sticker awards or high-five line. Perhaps bring company-branded bandanas or small towels that you hand out at the end as “you did it!” tokens (the towels are useful to wipe sweat too). A group photo with everyone in harnesses at the end is a must. Forest Adventure might have a photographer service (some places do for zip lines) – if not, designate someone on ground to capture key moments (like the final zip line).

After the event, many teams head to a meal. Nearby Bedok Reservoir has some cafes, but more options are a short drive away (Tampines or Bedok). You could have the bus take everyone to a lunch/dinner venue to continue bonding. Or even do a picnic by the reservoir if you brought catered food on the bus cooler. The park has picnic tables. That could be a relaxed wrap-up where stories of the course are exchanged.

Group Size and Course Flow

Small Group (<15): This size can go as one single group. You’ll all progress sequentially through the course. It’s intimate and fosters one-team feeling. In fact, Forest Adventure offers guides for smaller team-building groups if requested, who can accompany and facilitate some interaction. With a small group, you can do the Grand Course relatively fast (maybe 2 hours if everyone is smooth), leaving time for extra mini games after. Everyone can encourage everyone since you’re in earshot mostly. The buddy system or time trial games might not be needed; it’ll naturally be cohesive. You might focus more on individual growth and debrief each person’s highlight or challenge after.

Medium Group (15–40): They may split your start times or send people off in intervals to avoid bottlenecks. Possibly group splits into two loops (the Grand Course has multiple loops). If too many on one loop, it slows down. So, potentially half your group might start on Loop 1, the other half on Loop 2 simultaneously, then swap. Ensure you mix departments in those starting subgroups to maximize cross-team mingling. The whole group still meets at zip lines and finish area later. Medium groups are great for injecting that competitive spirit or dividing into “Team Tarzan vs Team Spider” kind of labels. Just keep track of everyone – maybe assign sub-team leaders to account for their members periodically.

Large Group (40+): Likely not all can be on the course concurrently given safety limits (often they max around 20-30 on course at a time for comfort, but check with them – they might allow more since it’s three separate loops, but delays could be long). For large groups, you almost certainly need to stagger participants or rotate with another activity. For example, Group A does course at 9:30am, Group B chills or does ground games, then swap at lunch. Or use the Junior Course concurrently for some while others do Grand, then swap, to increase throughput. Big groups could also consider renting out the whole facility for half a day – Forest Adventure does offer full course bookings for corporate events. This gives flexibility to run it like a mini tournament or circuit. If you have a hundred people, maybe not everyone will do the course due to fear or physical limits – you could make it voluntary or have alternative team-bonding roles (like photography, ground support teams as mentioned). In any case, coordinate with Forest Adventure early so they allocate enough instructors and slots. You might even negotiate a custom program (some large events add carnival elements at ground or use the venue for product launches). The bus might need multiple trips if group is split by schedule – ensure you clarify pick up times if they differ.

Booking and Transport Logistics

Advance Booking: Absolutely necessary for corporate groups. Forest Adventure’s site likely has a group booking contact. They might want an estimate of participants and whether all doing Grand Course or mix with Junior Course. Pricing can be per pax (Grand Course ~$50 each, possibly less for groups). Sometimes they offer group discounts for large numbers or weekday bookings. Confirm the time slot (morning tends to have fewer public, thus good for group exclusivity). Also get the waiver forms out early – they have digital waivers now, perhaps you can circulate the link for everyone to e-sign before event day, to save time on-site.

Brief Participants: In the lead-up, reassure and excite the team. Emphasize: wear sporty attire (long shorts or tights, as harness straps on bare skin can pinch; closed shoes a must – no slippers, and preferably sneakers with good grip). If someone needs gloves (some like fingerless gloves for obstacle comfort), they can bring or sometimes they sell gloves on-site. Remove or secure personal accessories (rings, watches, etc.). You might suggest they bring a spare t-shirt to change after because it can get sweaty – which the bus can store.

Transport Timing: Bedok Reservoir is about 20-30 min drive from city center off-peak, but if morning rush hour, plan extra time. If doing a morning slot, perhaps meet at office at 8am to depart for a 9am arrival (for 9:30 briefing). This gives buffer to settle waiver, harness up. Buses can park at the Bedok Reservoir carpark (it’s open-air, should have coach spaces or at least offload area). Usually one bus should be fine; if multiple, coordinate a meeting point for pickup after – typically the same drop-off point. If your event ends near evening, note that east side can have traffic heading west. For return, maybe schedule after peak or use expressways wisely (Wavebus will know best route).

Post-event Meal or Debrief: As hinted, consider concluding with a hearty meal. East-side famous eats like Bedok 85 market (for bak chor mee etc.) or Tampines Central has restaurants. If you want to directly tie it up, some might prefer heading back to office then home from there. But a meal allows for informal bonding over war stories (“that moment on the zip line!”). Your bus can drop at a pre-booked restaurant then later to office or nearest MRT. Wavebus.sg often can accommodate multi-stop drop-offs if pre-arranged (like dropping some at office, some at MRTs along route). That can be a perk to mention.

Value of the Bus: One scenario to imagine – a colleague finishes the course and is utterly exhausted or slightly shaky from adrenaline; having the bus right there means they can immediately rest in comfort and cool down. Versus if they had to walk 15 min to MRT and stand on a train, etc. The bus also can carry your team-building props, refreshments, even a portable PA if you needed it. It bookends the experience nicely – you can do an introduction on the way (“Today we conquer fears together!”) and a reflection on the way back (“What did you learn about yourself or a teammate?”). People might be more open in that enclosed, relaxed environment of a bus after such an adventure. So definitely, the transport is not just a logistical detail, but part of the cohesive event experience.

FAQs

Q1: What if someone in our team cannot or does not want to complete the course?
A1: Not everyone may be comfortable with heights or intense physical activity, and that’s okay. Forest Adventure’s policy is that participants can bail out at certain checkpoints if they choose, and staff can assist them down safely. Encourage everyone to give it a shot, but also have a no-judgment approach if someone opts out. For team-building, you might assign those who don’t participate as “safety spotters” or cheerleaders on the ground, so they still have a role. They can help take photos, hold ladders, encourage from below – which is important too. After the event, include them in debriefs asking what they observed about teamwork. If someone has a medical reason (e.g., past injury, pregnancy) and shouldn’t go up, definitely don’t pressure them – perhaps have alternative low-impact tasks (like time-keeper for the team challenge, or managing the refreshment station). Overall, the aim is inclusion – everyone contributes whether on the ropes or on the ground. Often, by seeing colleagues go, some initially hesitant folks might surprise you and decide to try a portion of the course. Forest Adventure also has the Junior Course which is closer to the ground; maybe they can do that instead, alongside any other uneasy folks – it’s shorter and less daunting but still fun. That way they don’t miss out entirely.

Q2: Is it safe? Has anyone gotten hurt at Forest Adventure during team events?
A2: Safety is paramount at Forest Adventure. They have continuous belay systems to prevent accidental unclipping, all gear is industry-certified, and instructors monitor at all times. Serious injuries are extremely rare. The most common issues might be minor: like a scrape, blister, or feeling muscle strain – which proper attire and pacing can mitigate. They provide safety briefings and practice on a low demo course so everyone knows what to do. If someone does slip off an obstacle, the harness catches them – they might just dangle until they regain footing or an instructor assists them back on. The course is designed with fail-safes. The zipline landings have padding or a gentle slope with an instructor helping down. Forest Adventure has been operating for years (since 2007) with a strong safety record. As organizers, you can reinforce safety by ensuring everyone follows guidelines (e.g., only one person on a crossing at a time, always stay clipped in, etc.). Also encourage hydration and rests if needed to avoid fatigue-related slips. The course is physically tiring by the end – if someone is visibly exhausted, it’s okay for them to exit early. It’s safer than pushing on with jelly arms. There is a safety line at every point, so even if someone freaks out, they can just sit back in their harness – they won’t fall. Knowing that usually reassures people. In summary, while any adventure activity has inherent risk (hence waivers, Forest Adventure manages it well and takes care of participants. Many corporate groups have gone through with nothing more than maybe a sore muscle or two to show.

Q3: What should we wear or bring for the Forest Adventure outing?
A3: Sporty, comfortable attire is the way to go. Specifically:

  • Wear closed-toe sports shoes with good grip – no sandals or heels. Sneakers or trail shoes are ideal.
  • Wear longer shorts or tights/pants. Very short shorts could ride up uncomfortably in the harness and also risk chafing. Pants or knee-length bottoms protect your legs from the harness straps and any rough rope contact.
  • A breathable T-shirt or sports top. It’s likely you’ll sweat, so dry-fit material is nice. Avoid anything too loose (baggy jackets, long scarves) that could snag. If it’s a company event, maybe you have team T-shirts – that works if they’re okay to get sweaty.
  • Tie up long hair, remove dangly jewelry, and empty pockets (a falling phone from height is dangerous and likely broken/lost). They might have lockers, but better to leave valuables on the bus.
  • Bring gloves if you prefer – half-finger athletic gloves can help grip and prevent rope burn. Not everyone uses them, but some appreciate it especially on zip lines (though you don’t actually need to brake with hands here, the gloves are more for holding cables). If not, at least the facility sometimes sells simple gloves on site.
  • Apply sunscreen and insect repellent beforehand. Much of the course is shaded by trees, but some spots get sun. Mosquitoes can be around under foliage.
  • Water bottle – you can leave it at base and drink between loops or have small hydration packs if you really want to carry one (most don’t carry anything on course except maybe a phone strapped secure for photos).
  • A change of shirt or even full change if you plan to go somewhere after – you might get slightly dirty (brush against tree bark, etc.) and sweaty. There are no full shower facilities on site, but nearby toilets for changing. A small towel can be good to wipe down.
  • Positive attitude and courage – mandatory! 😊

We as organizers will also bring a basic first aid kit (though staff have one) and some snacks. It’s also good to have a camera (with strap) or a GoPro if someone wants to capture action (helmet mounts are sometimes allowed – ask the staff). Most importantly, bring team spirit – the activity is physical, but it’s the mental support you bring that makes it team-building.

Q4: How long does the team-building session at Forest Adventure typically last?
A4: For the Grand Course, allocate about 2.5 to 3 hours for the whole experience. This includes about 30 minutes for harnessing up and safety briefing, then 2 hours on the course (some speedy folks may finish in ~1.5h, others take 2+). If your group is larger and there might be waiting at some obstacles, closer to 3 hours. If you’re running a rotation (half doing course while half do something else), you might budget 3 hours then swap, making it a 6-hour total program – but you could shorten by using the Junior Course or Big Zip concurrently. Many corporate events choose to do the course in the morning and then have lunch – so like 9:30am start, finish by 12:30pm, then lunch. Or an afternoon slot from 2pm to 5pm.

Add time for assembling at your office and bus travel, maybe 30-45 min each way depending on where you’re coming from. So door to door, a half-day (~4-5 hours) or slightly more with transport. If you include a meal or extra games, it can become a full day, but usually 5-6 hours including transit is plenty. People might be physically beat after that, which is why ending with a nice meal or break is good.

One more tip: try not to schedule mentally strenuous stuff after this. For example, don’t go back into a long strategy workshop immediately – folks will be tired. If you must have a work discussion post-activity, make sure they’ve eaten and rested a bit. Or better, do the serious meeting first then the adventure as a fun close (though then some might be too excited/distracted during the meeting anticipating the fun…). Typically, it’s best as a stand-alone team bonding session outside of regular work tasks.

Q5: Why charter a bus when Bedok Reservoir is accessible by MRT and public transport?
A5: Several reasons. Convenience and Time-saving: With a bus, your team meets at one point (like the office), and then goes directly to the site. No transfers, no one getting lost finding the park entrance (Bedok Reservoir MRT is nearby but then there’s a 5-10 min walk – imagine someone arrives late and can’t find the Forest Adventure gate in the sprawling park). A bus drops you right at the venue entrance timely. Carrying stuff: You may have bags, water, or after-event sweaty clothes – leaving them on a secure bus is simpler than lockers. Team Cohesion: Starting the day all together in one vehicle sets the tone; you can brief everyone en route. And after the event, everyone’s on a high, chatting on the bus keeps that camaraderie going (rather than dispersing into separate cabs or trains where conversation dies out). Flexibility: If, say, weather caused a schedule shift and you finish early or late, the bus is on standby to adjust – no worrying about “will there be enough cabs now” or someone rushing off. Also consider that Bedok Reservoir is in the heartland – it’s not difficult by MRT, but for those not living on Downtown Line, it might be out of the way. If some drove themselves, parking is limited too. A bus consolidates all that hassle, ensures full attendance (no “I’m stuck on the train” calls), and frankly, for a corporate event the cost of a bus is quite reasonable compared to the value of everyone’s time saved. It also shows the company’s consideration for staff comfort. Last but not least, if folks are exhausted afterwards (or if it rains at the end), they will deeply appreciate stepping into a bus rather than slogging to public transport. In sum, a chartered bus just makes the logistics stress-free and keeps the focus on team-building. The journey becomes part of the fun rather than a necessary chore.

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