Mäh-Time instead of Me-Time: Herding moorland sheep for team building
Presse-Information | Schneverdingen, 12. Juni 2025
Schneverdingen, June 12, 2025. Anyone thinking of leadership seminars usually imagines conference rooms, flipcharts, or strategy workshops. But at Hotelcamp Reinsehlen, located in the middle of Germany's largest contiguous nutrient-poor grassland area, effective team building looks completely different: There, board members, project teams, or apprentices lead herds of moorland sheep through the open heathland – actively learning about working together in the fresh air.
“When teamwork or leadership falters, the animals run away,” describes Helko Riedinger, Managing Director of Hotelcamp Reinsehlen, explaining how participants receive direct feedback on their actions during coaching. What seems like a trip into nature at first glance is in truth a complex group experiment that makes communication structures visible and uncovers team dynamics. “The flock of sheep acts like a mirror. It doesn't follow titles or hierarchies. Anyone who wants to lead must build trust; otherwise, things quickly become chaotic.”
During the roughly four-hour exercise, the goal is to collectively guide up to 1,000 animals from one location to another – across bridges, along roadsides, and right through the heathland. The shepherd and his sheepdog consciously remain in the background, intervening only in emergencies. Instead, an experienced coach moderates the event, conducts feedback sessions, and provides impulses for improvement.
Where leadership fails, titles are of no use
The goal of this extraordinary training is not only to guide the animals to their destination, but also to get to know each other better as a group, clarify roles, build trust, and develop solutions together. In this context, the flock of sheep becomes a learning partner: lambs that quickly lose their bearings, headstrong lead sheep, and a flock that refuses to be commanded, instead responding to body language, mood, and structure.
“It is about getting moving as a team, quite literally,” says Riedinger. “Many companies desire greater team spirit and cohesion, but that cannot be ordered from above. It has to be experienced together.” Precisely for this reason, the setting is so effective: It is neither artificial nor forced, but authentic, challenging, and at times surprisingly emotional.
Close to nature, impactful, and unforgettable
With its combination of modern conference comfort and a protected natural backdrop, Hotelcamp Reinsehlen provides an ideal setting for sustainable team building. The wide open spaces offer room for concentration, reflection, and new ideas. “Our guests come from all sectors – from medium-sized enterprises to international corporations,” explains Riedinger. “What unites them is the desire for a genuine, shared experience with an impact that lasts beyond the day.”
The offer is designed for groups ranging from five to a maximum of fifty people. A basic level of physical fitness is required, as the exercise involves hiking for several hours on unpaved paths. Weatherproof clothing in muted colors is also part of the equipment. In the end, however, what awaits is not just a new pasture for the animals, but often a fresh understanding of one another – and sometimes a surprising swap of roles within the team. “Those who herd sheep with us usually return transformed,” notes Riedinger. “Not because everything went smoothly – but precisely because it didn't.”
Jan Lohmann, Lodge Reinsehlen
Due to its expansive grounds and natural location, Lodge Reinsehlen offers a wide range of team-building opportunities. Whether active engagement in the unique nature of the Lüneburg Heath or indoor sessions – team trainings and incentives enrich every meeting.