Sandbox

Playground on steroids: notes from the first Sandbox retreat

April 24th, 2010 by Fabian Pfortmüller

Two weeks ago we spent 2.5 inspiring days with 18 amazing Sandboxers from around the world in a gorgeous house in the woods of Pennsylvania, hanging out and talking about the future.

As always at Sandbox, it’s all about the people you meet and the things you create together. We invested a lot of energy to not only bring together a group of young movers & shakers, but to select them from as many backgrounds as possible. Among the participants were a designer, a video producer, several social entrepreneurs, two fashion entrepreneurs, a student, an investment banker, a TV producer, a digital strategist, a teacher, a consultant and several entrepreneurs working on various startups. Imagine 2.5 days with these people, full of brainstorming, cooking, best practice exchange, midnight PowerPoint Karaoke sessions, BBQ at the lake, walls filled with new ideas and offline tweeting (there was no internet, to fully de-connect, however, there was an offline tweet wall for the super addicted .

We talked about our biggest accomplishments and our biggest fears. We tried to find out how other people deal with days that only have 24 hours, we exchanged books we love and created the “Venture Spa” where all members collectively analyze one person’s biggest challenge and help her and him with advice, contacts, ideas and man power. Together we incubated ideas and built friendships.

Every time I meet fellow Sandboxers anywhere in the world, I gain inspiration and motivation from their drive and passion. But spending 2.5 intimate days with this group took this to a whole new level. Anyone who is pessimistic about our generation should come, spend a weekend with us and see the creative and productive dynamic that these young leaders have. Many more Sandbox retreats to come

Check out more photos from the retreat and many thanks to Niamh and Paul for the whole organization.