Fortune Magazine recently published this story about Seagate Technology’s yearly trek to New Zealand for such team-building excursions as hiking, kayaking and adventure racing, all for the modest price of $2 million. Reading Seagate Technology’s story made me think of two things. First, and not that I don’t totally enjoy the occasional sporting events, birthday lunches or happy hours with my co-workers to blow off steam outside of the office, but, admittedly, I was a little jealous.

But mainly I wondered if spending a couple million dollars on “bonding” is really necessary. Don’t get me wrong, I understand the professional – and personal – benefits of venturing outside of your comfort zone, pushing your body and mind to their limits, building your teamworking skills, etc., but doesn’t a $2 million price tag seem a bit excessive? (Aren’t there places in America where you can do all of those things?)

Taking employees abroad for adventure racing is no doubt innovative (and I probably wouldn’t turn down a free trip to New Zealand), but, especially given the country’s current economic situation, the truly forward-thinking companies are the ones that, when equipped with the cash to spend on something that ultimately benefits the company, pay it forward. Companies like Molson Coors, U.P.S. and Credit Suisse take team building to a new level with companywide volunteering trips, and more recently UK-based Xyratex has followed suit with its “philanthropic team building.” Hopefully, this kind of team building will become the norm.