FTOC’s Company Picnic at the Zoo

400

Staff & Loved Ones

Entertainment Options

180

Minutes of Fun

Unforgettable Day

Giving Back to Their Team

Company picnics in the summertime are loads of fun. Something about the warm air and sunshine amplifies the jubilance of any outdoor event. Summer is such a classic, perfect time to get out, have fun, and enjoy the beautiful weather. When we were contacted to plan a company picnic in Santa Ana, California, we knew the fresh summer air would make it all the more memorable.

We were contacted by Families Together of Orange County to arrange their summer company picnic. Families Together is a nonprofit health center focusing on providing healthcare to all. Their mission is an important one with their outreach in their community, and they know that every one of their staff is important in it. To give back to their team, they wanted to plan a company picnic with not just a focus on games and fun, but plenty of amazing food.

A Picnic at the Zoo

The picnic location would be the Amphitheater Park at the Santa Ana Zoo, a large open area with manicured green lawns ideal for setting up a company picnic. Families Together wanted to bring in a variety of games, activities, and inflatables to make the most of this afternoon. We knew this location would be perfect for setting up all of this. Its flat lawns and open area make it perfect for hosting a picnic with loads of inflatables.

Our team arrived to the location that August morning to begin setup. We had only an hour and half to prepare due to the park’s opening time. So too, would we only have an hour and a half at day’s end to teardown. While it was a time crunch, our team knows the ins and outs well and knows how to ensure setup goes smoothly and efficiently.

The park was serene, still, and quiet. The only sounds were that of our inflatable pumps whirring and our catering crew cooking the day’s lunch. Our menu today was packed with a little something for everyone, and our crew began their preparations and cooking on arrival. We like to cook on-site whenever possible, to give our guests the freshest food as well as the best experience.

Entertainment Aplenty

Families Together wanted to provide their team with an additional layer of fun to today’s event: a raffle. We love hosting raffles at events. They’re a great way to keep the momentum going, amping guests up even between rounds of field games. We knew Families Together’s team would be excited for these amazing prizes. (If you’re looking for raffle prizes of your own, check out our 100 top raffle prize choices!)

The picnic was set to begin at 11:00 that morning. The sun had begun its ascent into the sky and bathed the park in its golden light. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky as the guests made their entrance. Families Together had set aside time for guests to arrive, eat some lunch or play some games, and settle in before their CEO took the stage to welcome them. After that, the game would be on with loads of game setups and field games for all to enjoy.

There was plenty of fun for everyone at this company picnic. We’d lined the sides of the park with inflatable games and attractions. So, too, had we brought in two caricature artists and a face painter so the team could have some mementos to take home. Mementos are an important part of any company picnic, giving guests a tangible memory to look back on. We’d also brought in a photo booth so guests could have a keepsake of themselves having a great time.

Team Bonding at the Zoo

Due to the location being in the zoo, Families Together offered their guests a chance to visit the zoo. Our amphitheater setup had its own private entrance to the Santa Ana Zoo, where, after the event, guests could tour. The Santa Ana Zoo is full of exotic animals, many from South America and Latin America. Visiting these tropical wildlife would make an exciting end to an equally exciting day.

Our guests totalled in at 400 for the day. Though the park came with some tables, chairs, and a covered bar area, we’d brought in plenty more seating to accommodate the whole group. The crowd was a joy to watch, people of all ages coming together to enjoy a day out and bond over fun.

Company picnics are something special in that they’re amazing at strengthening bonds, even across departments, by giving teams a chance to get to know one another in a casual, new setting. We watched as old friends made new friends, people laughing, sharing, and enjoying the day. It never fails to inspire us.

Food & Fun

Guests were free to make their way to our lineup of inflatable games and attractions. For those who wanted a bit of a challenge, we’d brought in our Ninja Rush Obstacle Course. This obstacle course is entirely vertical, and a bit of a challenge, which makes you want to go back and try it again with experience. For those with a good arm, we’d brought in the Strike Zone Speed Pitch and Quarterback Toss. So too, did we have our Soccer Kick inflatable for those so inclined. We’d also brought in a Blue Ice Castle bouncer, one that’s large enough for all ages to enjoy.

If guests worked up an appetite, our team had spent the morning cooking a veritable picnic feast for them to enjoy. The menu today was full of classic picnic foods and special additions that were sure to fuel the guests for today’s field games.

We’d grilled plenty of hotdogs and hamburgers, with vegetarian options as well as decadent cheeseburgers. Our sides for that day involved some classics like fruit salad, baked beans, potato salad, garden salad, and coleslaw, as well as some special editions.

To really tantalize our guests, we’d prepared California pasta salad, mac n’ cheese, brownies, cookies, corn cobettes, and southwestern corn and veggies. Families Together had done an amazing job with the variety of choices, and our catering crew succeeded in making it an unforgettable meal.

Games & Good Times

For this event, Families Together had asked us to bring in a field game competition for all ages. Field games are a staple picnic activity, and we’re always thrilled to include them. Getting outdoors and having fun is great for your health and makes a summer picnic all the more special.

Our guests got to try their hand at a variety of competitions, from water balloon toss to a musical chairs-style game called Musical Circles. It brings a smile to your face, even on the outskirts of the crowd, seeing people laugh, play, and have fun. We knew they’d look back on these memories and smile just as much as we would.

The company picnic was set to run until 2:00 that afternoon. The sky was a clear and cerulean blue above our heads as we watched on during the competitions. Families Together had picked an exceptional day for the picnic. The park was full of chatter, laughter, and joy. Coworkers bonded over field games, got to know each other’s loved ones, and enjoyed this beautiful, sunny Sunday afternoon together.

One Perfect Company Picnic

At 1:45, the final announcements were made and the raffle names drawn. Lucky winners made their way to the stage to retrieve their prizes. Once the clock hit 2:00, our guests began to make their way out, gravitating to our private zoo entrance to begin another adventure.

Smiles were in great supply and the hum of conversation followed groups as they filtered out. Smiling, painted faces chatted about the animals they were going to see, hands full of mementos and hearts full of joy. We watched on as the final group made their way inside the zoo. Our time had come to hustle and bustle before the amphitheater closed for the day.

The park grew stiller and emptier but the air was still full with the joy of the day. Our crew set to work, breaking down tables, deflating attractions, and packing up. Even though we were on a timer for our teardown, we knew it would go smoothly. Our team moved quickly and fluidly, and instead of feeling a time crunch, we felt proud of a job well done.

The jubilant mood carried us through our work, and we made quick time, packing up the last piece before the park closed down. As we left the amphitheater, smiles were on our faces too. It had been a wonderful company picnic afternoon for these hardworking and valuable employees and their loved ones. It had truly been a picnic to remember.