Collaborate for Good: Practicing Teamwork in the Heart of Winter

At Focus Foundation, we believe that collaboration is a cornerstone of nature-aligned leadership. As part of the Focus Nature-Friendly Leaders Program, our Collaborate for Good nature camp brought our students together in Bolu for a three-day experience where teamwork, communication, and co-creation were not just themes — they were a way of life.

In a world facing urgent climate and ecological challenges, we need leaders who can build trust, connect across differences, and create shared solutions. This camp was designed to help our students grow into such leaders by immersing them in activities that called for real-time cooperation in a wild and beautiful winter setting.

The camp began with a snowy hike, allowing our students to reconnect with nature, slow down, and start building bonds with one another. But the real test of collaboration came with the Igloo Building Challenge — a hands-on activity that required not only physical endurance, but also effective communication, inclusion, and mutual support. With limited time and resources, our students built igloos large enough to sleep in, all while navigating the complexities of group decision-making.

Evenings were dedicated to reflection and dialogue. During group circles, our students shared thoughts on what it means to collaborate for a common good, how trust is built, and what leadership looks like in practice — especially in moments of pressure or uncertainty.

Throughout the camp, our students also explored inner development goals such as connectedness, inclusive mindset, and mobilization skills. These were not abstract concepts but lived experiences, reinforced through shared meals, quiet forest walks, and challenges overcome together.

At Focus Foundation, we know that real leadership starts with how we relate — to each other, to our communities, and to the Earth. Collaborate for Good gave our students the chance to experience this truth in action, and to walk away with stronger bonds, a deeper understanding of team dynamics, and a renewed sense of purpose.