San Bernardino County’s Huge Family Appreciation Day

7500

Attendees

Entertainment Options

300

Minutes of Fun

Unforgettable Day

Appreciation for Staff and Their Families

It’s a well-known fact that county employees and officials are an important part of making our world go ‘round. Whether it’s folks on the county board, the fire department, or those who work tirelessly to maintain utilities, our world would be bleaker without them.

That’s why San Bernardino County asked us to give back to their entire crew with an amazing family appreciation day.

The officials in San Bernardino County understand how important each person in each department is to maintaining every facet of country life. They value each individual and know their importance.

That’s why they wanted to treat staff and families across each department to a fun and unforgettable day out.

A Massive Event

This family appreciation day was a huge one, totaling over 7,500 guests. We’ve planned huge picnics before, but this one was truly monumental.

The day would be full of fun, ranging from field games to interactives for staff and their loved ones to enjoy.

For the location, San Bernardino County chose Glen Helen Regional Park. This San Bernardino park is massive, coming in at 1,340 acres, and has a breathtaking view of both the San Bernardino Mountains and the San Gabriel Mountains.

We planned to fill the grounds of this massive, scenic spot with loads of entertainment. Looking at this location, we knew San Bernardino County had picked the perfect spot, with gorgeous views and open, grassy space perfectly suited for a day such as this.

Giving Back in Many Ways

The event that morning began with a 5K walk for a nonprofit organization, around the scenic park. We felt this was a great way to start the employee appreciation day, as limbering up the guest’s muscles, as well as benefiting charity, is a great way to get them pumped for the day’s events!

After the walk, guests were given a combination opening speech and welcoming ceremony. After this welcoming ceremony, guests were able to pick up some seriously cool swag to commemorate the event.

That wouldn’t be the only keepsake San Bernardino County had up their sleeve for today, though. For every field game, the county had brought in medals and prizes for each winner, as well as our roaming photographer and loads of photo op props.

These props were particularly special. San Bernardino County had brought in equipment from a range of their departments. Guests could pose with a giant CAT machine, a county fire truck, or a local sheriff’s vehicle to celebrate every department and their importance. Additionally, San Bernardino County brought in a car show, with a wide range of beautiful vintage cars for guests to enjoy.

Endless Entertainment

The county had asked us to bring in a vast assortment of inflatable games and entertainment for their guests of all ages to enjoy. Thankfully, our catalog is full of all-ages entertainment (check out 100 of our favorite entertainment options), so we were able to offer an assortment.

For this picnic, we’d loaded up on not only slides and bouncers, but plenty of games as well. Guests were invited to try their hand at Human Hungry Hippo, Soccer Kick, Human Foosball, Double Hoop Shot, Skee Ball, Lumberjack Throw, Timberland Wrecking Ball, or our Reaction Attraction Arena.

So, too, did we bring in obstacle courses for guests to challenge themselves in. All in all, the county had planned a vast assortment, so each of their guests could find something to enjoy.

San Bernardino County had another special surprise for their team. They brought in adoptable dogs from the county’s shelters, for their guests to both play with and, hopefully, adopt. Not only was it fun for their guests to visit these adorable pups, but it was an amazing opportunity to give these furry friends a forever home.

Fun in the Sun

There was plenty to do at this employee appreciation day! Guests were free to enjoy not only the attractions mentioned above, but the pool at the park as well.

It was a sunny spring afternoon, and perfectly suited for swimming and splashing in the park’s fountain.

So, too, were there loads of refreshments perfectly fitting for a sunny day in the park.

We brought in classic cookout foods like hotdogs and veggie dogs, as well as a shaved ice station. We also set up a volleyball net for guests to play freely.

We felt the county had done excellently in planning an assortment and constant flow of activities, both structured and free, to keep the momentum of the event constant.

Field Game Fun

For the field games side of the event, San Bernardino County had selected a wide range of fun competitions for their guests. They wanted all of their team, across many departments, to come together as one, building bonds through games and challenges, as well as simply having fun.

And there was an assortment, so each guest could have a chance to take part. Some were active physical games, and some were passive, laidback games like bingo, so no matter a guest’s physical limitations, every one of them could take part in the fun. (Learn more about passive and active picnic activities for your own employee appreciation day!)

We always get swept up in the action of team field games. It’s pretty hard not to, after all. On the agenda for today were plenty that both the crowd and the participants could enjoy.

The park filled with cheers as teams faced off in a game of kickball. The excitement continued as the competitions moved on, with a round of cup stack, then ring toss. We love getting swept up in the crowd, feeling the buzz and the flurry of movement in an exciting match.

All-Ages Activities

Those weren’t the only games San Bernardino County had brought in for the day. Guests were able to face off in some classic team field games.

We had an amazing round of water balloon toss, as well as a game of Popfly.

Guests were also able to take part in our Magic Carpet Surf Challenge. In this game, one member stands on a large cloth, while the other pulls them towards the finish line. It’s a challenge to stand upright just as much as it is to pull your partner. This challenge is loads of fun, as well as a good competition.

The final field game of the day was a match of Tug-of-War. We always love it when a competition is wrapped up with a game like this, one so classic and memorable.

One Unforgettable Family Appreciation Day

As the day began to draw to a close, we could see the happiness on the faces of everyone in the crowd.

It was a guarantee at that moment that San Bernardino County’s mission for this day had been completed.

Not only did their staff get to come together as a whole for a day, but they had the rewarding, fun, and unforgettable afternoon that the county had so hoped they would.

These essential and important members of our community had gotten the day of fun and family, as well as the reward, San Bernardino County had set out to give them.

We knew they wouldn’t soon forget such an exciting day, and we knew we wouldn’t, either.