In the summertime, Provider Insurance Group goes above and beyond the run-of-the-mill company cookout.

In addition to offering flex time when the weather turns warm, the Woonsocket insurance company offers a creative event that encourages socializing, fun and teamwork. Employees never know where it will be from year to year. This year, said Jessica Sullivan, Provider’s human resources manager, it’s a friendly sailing race in Newport.

“We’ll be divided into two groups,” she said, “so that little bit of team-building and competiveness works really well.”

Past outings have included a Boston scavenger hunt, at which participants comprised six different teams. Scavenger teams were then tasked with taking certain photographs or buying certain items in the city, she said. “If you work in silos, you don’t know each other,” Sullivan said – especially with Provider locations all over Rhode Island and Massachusetts. “It’s interesting to see how that team dynamic works out.”

Provider also works an employee-appreciation aspect into its summer outings, at which service awards are given out. Cash rewards are given to employees, their totals ranging with the number of years they’ve been with the company. And $1,000 will go to the winner of the Employee Excellence Award, nominated by their colleagues, a person who, in their view, best exemplifies leadership, professionalism, service and teamwork.

With minimal overtime, meetings limited to work hours, a free trip for sales teams who make certain goals and performance bonuses for other staffers, summertime is just a warm spot in a long list of incentives Provider offers year-round. •