Hello Equippely Team,

I hope everyone’s getting pumped for next weekend’s team-building trip to the historic Teardrop Forest! Our Fun Squad has been hard at work planning a camping trip that will become the stuff of company legend.

First, to get you extra jazzed for our trip, we want to share some fun facts about Teardrop Forest:

  • Teardrop Forest is a 25-square mile state park just 40 MILES from our office. Once we all get loaded up in the company vans, we’ll be there in no time!
  • The forest is known for its extensive network of caves, above average annual rainfall, and Teardrop Tunnel, a section of trail so overgrown with intertwined vines and trees that some visitors have described it as “a maddening passage that seems to be leading into a dark, endless abyss.”
  • In the early 1700s, a small group of settlers established a village called Pikestown on the edges of the forest.
  • Multiple historical accounts attest to an “unearthly wailing” that would emanate from the forest at night and “chill” the villagers to their “very bones”.
  • Historical records also show that villagers began disappearing from their homes without a trace, until all of the original 216 settlers were gone.
  • There are no clues as to where the villagers disappeared to, except for the words EVIL FOREST carved deep into a tree on the outskirts of the lost colony. Historians are still debating the meaning of this cryptic message.
  • Today, Teardrop Forest is one of the least-visited state parks in the country. Let’s change that by making this our biggest team-building event ever!!!

Since we’re going to be camping deep in the heart of Teardrop Forest, make sure you bring the following items:

  • Tent
  • Sleeping bag
  • Hiking boots
  • Extra socks
  • Lots of clothing layers (we’re told it gets eerily cold in the forest at night)
  • Headlamp or flashlight (so that you can see everything that might come at you out of the dark)
  • Ear plugs (if you think you’ll have trouble sleeping through unearthly wailing)
  • Holy water (just in case)

Don’t worry about bringing food — Equippely has that covered, including the S’MORES!

A few other quick notes:

  • This trip isn’t mandatory, but it is highly encouraged. Our company culture is a big part of what makes Equippely such a great place to work, and we count on you to continue building that culture, whether we’re going to a company karaoke night or spending 48 hours in a forsaken forest.
  • There’s a good chance that you won’t get any cell phone reception while in Teardrop Forest. Maybe just plan on having a relaxing, device-free weekend!
  • We’re all going to stick together during our day hikes. As much as we’d love to allow individual exploring, there have been a few too many reports of lost hikers in Teardrop Forest, and we don’t want to risk it.
  • Please do not remove anything from the forest, whether it’s a delicate flower or a Satanic totem that you found planted squarely in the middle of the trail. It’s our job to leave nature as we found it.
  • Be sure you’ve signed a waiver before you get in the company van. We know, paperwork is a pain, but we have to satisfy the lawyers. It’s just a formality.

If we can all just keep those few things in mind, we’re sure to have the BEST TEAM-BUILDING TRIP this company has ever seen! Everybody get excited, and be sure to tell someone where you’re going.

Cheers,
The Fun Squad
Equippely LLC