San Bernardino County Employees’ 2024 Summer Picnic

9,248

Attendees

33

Entertainment Options

1340

Acres of Activities

300

Minutes of Fun

Celebrating a Diverse Team with an Employee Picnic

Big events like these are extremely special to us. Bringing together thousands of families, friends, and colleagues for a summer picnic makes for an extraordinary event. When San Bernardino County contacted us to plan an employee picnic for their staff, we were all ears.

Company picnics are our specialty. These events are an amazing way to celebrate not only your team, but the individuality in them, and uplift the differences they bring to the table. Diversity in thought and experience makes for a strong and creative team, and these features are what this picnic was all about. San Bernardino County values their diverse workforce, and uplifts each individual and what they bring to the world. So, too, do they value diversity in how the county’s residents live, work, and play.

When planning their workers’ summer picnic, they sought to include a broad range of entertainment and activities to appeal to a diverse group of people, each with their own unique talents and play styles. In turn, this reflected the county’s vision for giving both its residents and employees choices for how they play, live, thrive, and work. Our event managers collaborated with the county to plan an outing with varied experiences to highlight the individual within the team and uplift every member of the 42 departments attending the employee picnic.

Making Magic

We began planning the picnic early, before summer had even begun, owing to the nearly 10,000 guests that would be attending. The RSVP process alone began months in advance, which would allow time for responses from every individual as well as any changes (like additional family members) in their attending numbers. The county invited its team to bring their whole families, as they do every year, expanding on their goals for a sense of community and collaboration. Our event planners worked together with the county’s event committee, planning and brainstorming themes, activities, games, and experiences that would strengthen the communal dynamics of the workforce and highlight diverse interests and strengths in the group.

It was a sunny day in Greater LA when our team arrived at Glen Helen Regional Park, in the heart of San Bernardino County, to prepare for the day. The guest list for the day consisted of 9,248 staff and their loved ones. We would turn this massive park into an extensive picnic, full of games and activities, for today’s attendees.

We arrived at the park the day before the event to give ourselves plenty of time not only to set up the picnic spot but to re-familiarize ourselves with this massive park. We worked with San Bernardino County for their previous employee appreciation day at this location (see the case study on our sister site), and our team wanted to ensure we had memorized the park perfectly. Our event coordinators worked to make sure the flow of this event was of peak efficiency, especially because this function was even bigger than the last. With a guest count this high, we needed to ensure that the space was easy to navigate for all its attendees.

Picnic Preparations

The following morning, we arrived bright and early. Our company picnic catering team fired up their grills, filling the park with the invigorating smell of oak woodsmoke. The grills sizzled as hotdogs cooked atop them, both some of the best summer picnic foods you can have. With the sheer size of the guest list, we had plenty of cooking to do. Our catering staff prepared thousands of hotdogs, both vegan and all-beef. The smell of lunch cooking wafted in the air, filling the park, and making even us hungry as we worked.

Our team and the county event committee spent the morning turning the expansive park into a treasure trove of experiences for today’s attendees. Splitting the layout into segments meant the zones for these unique experiences filled the park. At the park’s entrance, we helped the client set up the finish line for a 5k walk organized by the county. In another section of the park, our team helped the event committee usher in vintage cars for today’s car show the county organized. This car show featured numerous beautiful antique cars and was something that the county knew thrilled their team, from its success in previous years.

Our picnic area was the final zone for today’s event. Adorning the greenery of the park were countless inflatables and activities. The registration booths at the front served to usher guests in from the finish line, moving them throughout the space fluidly. The park’s pool encapsulated another portion of the location and would open to our guests before lunch. The entire area was massive. Bustling event managers buzzed by on gear-laden golf carts to span the 1,340 acres of the park, from the relay walk area to the car show to the picnic and back again. Each section was overseen by its own event management, creating a sense of miniature events staggered throughout the park. One event planner oversaw management and workers for all sections, ensuring that the day went without a hitch.

The Fun Begins

The 5k race brought employees into the park proper. Our event manager had spent the morning helping the county with registration for the race and coordinating the overseeing of volunteers. As the participants neared the finish line, they were welcomed by rippling flags flying in the wind and a towering inflatable arch marking the finish line.

With bright eyes and wide smiles, participants crossed the finish line and were beckoned into the picnic space. It was 10:00 that morning as our guests entered and filed through our event registration service booths, which we’d made speedier by opening multiple lines and giving the option for registering through iPad or by paper. As they walked into the picnic proper, employees and their families were greeted and welcomed by the CEO. From atop the stage, the CEO welcomed the crowd and gave a few words of thanks and appreciation to the county employees. Then, the party was on!

Inflatables towered to the sky around the park, magnificently bright colors glinting in the sunshine. Our client had a lot in store for their guests today, and from our places manning booths or standing vigilantly around the park, we watched the excitement in the crowd. The park was alive with voices, laughter, and the sounds of play. Families carrying hotdogs and drinks made their way to picnic tables. Excited kids and adults alike moved from game booths to inflatables. Branded awnings over tables gleamed in the daylight, and crowds gathered to play a friendly game of volleyball together.

Educational Experiences

The day was filled with unique opportunities. The county had brought in some of its equipment, like a firetruck, sheriff’s car, and bulldozer, for guests to pose with or learn about.

They had even brought in a seismic simulator, to educate about the earthquakes San Bernardino is so prone to.

Standing around the sheriff’s car, our youngest guests were invited to try on a badge, hat, and vest. Their families snapped pictures as the kids posed with the sheriff and his vehicle.

Over at the firetruck, firefighters posed for photos with attendees, who they costumed in firefighter helmets. Engaging the group in these activities drove home the sense of community the celebration fostered.

Smiles were on every face as guests sat behind the wheel of the firetruck or posed beside the massive bulldozer, making this exhibition truly successful.

Revving up Excitement

Meanwhile, the antique car show was a major part of today’s event. Guests were looking forward to this experience long before it started. Advertised on summer picnic invitations and the RSVP, this extraordinary feature drummed up excitement amongst the attendees.

The county had brought in incredible vintage cars spanning decades of production. Each car was meticulously detailed and presented at its best.

Gleaming chrome muscle cars filled a paved area of the event, with signs beckoning visitors to vote on their favorite. Watching on as guests voted for their favorite, and took turns sitting behind the wheel, we knew this car show was a hit, just as we expected.

Attendees of all ages posed for photos inside the swanky cars, making keepsakes of great memories as they did.

Team Building Tournaments

Team building activities for corporate events like this are important for adding value that goes beyond appreciation. We included plenty in today’s event agenda, bringing groups together across departments and walks of life.

The county wanted this day to foster collaboration, togetherness, and community, as well as highlight diverse experiences, and team building games are perfect for that.

Whether a guest wished to try out a kickball tournament, hula hoop contest, pool noodle toss, football, or giant cupstack, there were games for everyone. Teams made up of all ages played in the grassy lawns.

Catching a game of football or trying their hand at a potato sack race, cheers and laughter swept up the crowd in excitement. Each competition came with a choice of prizes from our prize table as well as medals for attendees to take home.

We found ourselves, from our stations, cheering on every game. The energy in the park was palpable, full of joy and enthusiasm.

Field Game Fun

After the crowd had gotten settled, the first kickball tournament began. We had set up a field area for multiple competitions on the park lawn. Up for grabs today were not just the prizes, but trophies and medals for the winning teams, too.

Cheers filled the air for the players, who themselves had a blast. Once the game was up, other teams took the field. In total, three rounds of kickball followed one another, due to the huge number of guests looking to play. With nearly 10,000 attendees, the tournaments were incredible! Kickball is a great way to highlight collaboration and teamwork across a large group of people.

This game brought together colleagues and their loved ones in a little friendly competition, and judging by the joy on their faces, we knew they all had a blast.

By the end of the tournaments, it was time to cool off with a water balloon toss. These games are a staple at summer picnics and make a splash on gamifying values like teamwork and coordination. Water balloon tosses give attendees a chance to cool off while still working together as a team, helping them learn while having fun.

Every game exemplified the three C’s of teamwork: collaboration, communication, and coordination. Gamifying a learning experience like team building makes it all the more fun.

Activities Aplenty

Crowds moved to and fro, trying out all sorts of activities. Daredevils had a blast at our obstacle courses or wrecking ball game, sports fans tried out football and soccer inflatables, and those looking for human spins on board games tried out our Human Hungry Hippo and our Human Foosball. This game and the obstacle courses are major collaboration and communication skill builders. For all of these, teams worked together, utilizing their unique strengths and skillsets and bonding while they played.

Laughter and shouts filled the air from our varying bounce houses. Colleagues bonded over shooting hoops or throwing faux axes, while others played a round of skeet ball or watched on as their children played in the play center.

A live band played as the crowd thrummed throughout the park. Live music, we find, pumps energy into any event. Our speakers projected the music throughout the open space, so no matter a person’s distance, they could enjoy it all the same. Groups danced, laughed, and had a great time between rounds of field games. Music brings people together, and seeing crowds decked out in company swag during jam sessions proved it. Smiles abound on every face, and groups formed on the greens, laughing, swaying, and busting moves together.

Furry Friends & Laidback Interaction

In addition to the other activities, the county brought in some of its shelter puppies available for adoption.

Our furry guests wagged their tails at every passerby, receiving pets and treats. The puppies were irresistibly adorable and we felt these animals would have no problem finding a home today.

There were other relaxing experiences besides petting animals. For those looking for a laidback, creative activity, our arts and crafts station stood ready for them.

Today, we invited attendees to paint rocks. Using paint markers, our guests created vibrantly colored designs, covering an entire table by the picnic’s end.

Guests looking to relax joined in on a game of bingo or corporate trivia, for which they too would win medals and prizes.

Summer Picnic Fun

Planning summer events sometimes means accounting for the season. Outdoor events especially means needing ways for attendees to cool off. If our attendees today needed to cool off, the park’s pool was open exclusively for them.

Whether ankle-wading or diving in deep, the cool water felt amazing after a round of field games in the sunshine. Guests also had Sno-cones and plenty of iced drinks to take part in. We find treats like these and a pool or water feature make summer picnics even more fun.

Splashes soared through the air as groups swam, dove, and played. Whether breaking out in a pool noodle fight or soaking their feet sitting poolside, the area sprung to life with the sounds of play.

Sipping cold sodas or eating brightly colored Sno-cones and sharing conversation and laughter, the sense of community around the pool was palpable.

Though the temperature was in the 100s, the mood of the crowd was chill as they rejuvenated between field games by the water. Once they felt refreshed, the groups went back to the center of the picnic to play even harder.

The End of a Great Summer Day

The sun began to creep its way to the horizon as the picnic wrapped to a close.

Our guests were still vibrant and full of energy. Smiling as they left, medals, puppies, prizes, and crafts in tow, we knew we’d uplifted this diverse workplace and highlighted their sense of community.

As the park grew bathed in golden afternoon light, we began to pack up our trucks. Breaking down the temporary kitchen we’d assembled, pulling up stakes, and folding away tables, we returned the park to its former state.

The picnic’s success carried us through our work, and the amazing memories we made today replayed in our minds all the way home.

If you’d like to plan an amazing company picnic like this one, feel free to contact our event planning company. Use the form below or call us at 800.366.0603. We’re excited to work with you to create an unforgettable company picnic in Los Angeles for your team.