Category: Event Planning

April 9, 2021

6 Ideas to Make Your Corporate Picnic a Summer Tradition

Company retreats are a great way to keep your team fresh, happy, and vitalized as they get a chance to build chemistry and blow off steam. While everyone loves R&R, there are a few key points that ensure summer events become a hit with your people and a memorable staple in your corporate culture.

Cook Up Crowd Pleasers

It wouldn’t be a picnic without a great spread for everyone to enjoy. While many will be looking for summer favorites like burgers or hot dogs on the grill, it’s important to account for different diets and preferences on your team. Ensure that kosher, halal, vegetarian, vegan, allergy-conscious, and gluten-free options are provided to make everyone feel welcome in the fun. An inclusive environment is perhaps the most important thing to consider when planning events.

If you’re looking to switch things up a little, throw a themed twist on the menu. With options like barbeque, clam bakes, taco bars, specialty desserts, and more, Frogbridge has the variety to keep your team satisfied and coming back for seconds all day long.

Poolside Fun to Beat the Heat

It’s always good to get out in the sun, and having open water nearby is perfect for those hot summer days. Being able to dive in and cool off keeps people refreshed and relaxed.

Being near the water opens up all kinds of other activities, from taking kayaks and pedal boats out to fishing. If your event is for the whole family, pools and lakes are surefire ways to make sure the kids are entertained too.

Classic Games Add Team-Building to Any Event

While traditional team-building exercises are proven methods of nurturing camaraderie on your team, setting up sports events gets your people working together with ease. Whether it’s a laid-back game or the competitive juices get flowing, a day of sun, food, and sport can bring everyone closer together.

Games like volleyball, basketball, soccer, or wiffleball bring people closer by putting them in a fun, collaborative environment where they work together to achieve a mutual goal. It’s also a good way to blow off steam as a group and work off some calories.

Throwback Activities to Bring Out the Kid in Everyone

There’s nothing like good old-fashioned nostalgia to put smiles on faces. Games people may have completely forgotten about like dodgeball were gym-class and birthday-party favorites back in the day. They’re quality entertainment for the whole family or just the grownups.

Either way, activities like this are sure to evoke childlike joy and can be great ice-breakers so that your team can really get to know each other on a personal level outside the workplace.

Recreational Games for Laid-Back Fun

To balance out some of the more active games, have activities that require a little less energy, with all the same benefits. This is also a good way to make sure everyone is included and can find their good times throughout the day. Think about how much your people could enjoy lawn games like bocce ball, horseshoe, and minigolf.

Fun for the Whole Family

If you are leaning toward inviting families along, find things to keep their children and loved ones entertained. While kids can partake in most any of the fun listed above, sometimes it’s a good idea to give the little ones a space and activities of their own.

Dedicated playgrounds give them a good venue to burn off some energy and keep them entertained for hours. Letting the kids play in a safe environment is sure to make it a favorite with families and keep everyone looking forward to your picnics.

Book the Perfect Venue at Frogbridge Picnics and Special Events

Whatever direction you want to take your summer events in, Frogbridge has a wealth of options and just about anything you could imagine can become a reality here. With 86 acres to spread out over, a pool complex, lakefront beaches, sports venues, and more, everything you need to create the perfect event and reward your team with a truly special day is at your disposal.

Book the team-building trip of your dreams with Frogbridge Events by reaching out to us online or giving us a call today at (609) 208-9475.

Joanna Brooks

March 23, 2021

Should You Invite Families and Kids to your Company Outing?

One of the best parts of a company outing is being able to relax and get away from the hustle and bustle of the office. Spending time with your coworkers in a new environment is a great way to bond and learn more about the people you work with every day. However, depending on the nature of your company retreat, there is a possibility that team members will want to bring their families with them. This brings up the question: should families and children be invited to company events?

While it might seem like an easy answer, there is a great deal of consideration that should go into this decision. Take a look below as we explore the different aspects, limitations, and advantages of extending an invitation to the families of employees for a company retreat.

Benefits of Inviting Families to a Work Retreat

One of the most important advantages of allowing employees to bring their children and loved ones to a company outing is that it shows your team that your company cares about them outside of their work efforts. This helps them feel like they are not just a number, but a respected member of the team. Including a family dynamic in the event can also give it an air of informality and relieve tension for newer employees by making them feel more comfortable.

The location for company outings and the nature of the retreat itself are important to consider when inviting family members. Certain places are going to be a great environment for team building and fun, while others might be a little more goal-oriented and focused. Some of the best company retreats to invite families to include:

Large-scale events with activities
Picnics or outdoor games
Holiday parties

If you are planning a work-related outing for your team and would like to encourage employees to include their families in the event, be sure to offer a range of activities that attendees of all ages can enjoy. One easy way to do this is to find a location that offers a variety of activities for team members and their families to choose from.

Family-Friendly Company Outing Activities

Many work retreats encourage team-building exercises as part of their itinerary. These help generate a stronger sense of comradery and cooperation. If you’re struggling to find ways to include your employees and their family members in group activities, look no further than the following:

Tug-of-war
Relays and races
Treasure or scavenger hunts
Go-karting or bumper cars
Trail hiking

The most important aspect of selecting group activities is that you plan for individuals who may not want to participate. Certain events may be too rigorous or physically demanding for guests like expectant mothers or anyone with a small child, so be sure to incorporate some more low-impact activities such as trivia, board games, or puzzles.

When Not to Invite Family to a Company Retreat

It can be a great deal of fun to have your coworkers interacting with and getting to know your family in a relaxed and engaging environment. However, certain situations may not be improved by the presence of spouses, relatives, or children.

When a company outing is strategically designed to include activities like brainstorming sessions, project planning, and work-related seminars, family members should not be included. These types of retreats are geared toward education and development—things that can be hindered by the presence of family members, especially young children. Not only will it be difficult for an employee to focus if they are at an event with their family, but the attendee’s family also may not be as interested in your quarterly sales as the rest of the group. It’s a negative experience all around, and one that can easily be avoided by refraining from inviting family members to work-centered company retreats.

If you are attempting to stay on a budget for the event, it may also be a good idea to avoid extending invitations to more than the necessary number of attendees. Including family members in an event can be costly, regardless of the activity. Companies looking to shave a few dollars off of their event budget should consider only inviting team members, supervisors, and managers.

Plan a Family-Friendly Work Retreat at Frogbridge Events

Company outings can be stressful to plan, especially if you are including a large group of people that includes team members and their families. Here at Frogbridge Events, we make it easy for you to plan a safe and memorable retreat for attendees of all ages with our menu of exciting activities and 86-acres of natural beauty in Central New Jersey. If you’re ready to take your work outing to the next level, contact Frogbridge Events and start planning your next amazing company retreat today. You can reach us at (609) 208-9475 or contact us online for more information about our grounds, activities, and facilities.

Taking on the challenge of planning the ultimate team-building company picnic is exciting. However, if you have no clue where to start, this task may feel daunting. When it comes to planning a company event outdoors, it is your job to ensure everything is taken care of and runs smoothly while managing your other job responsibilities. Feeling anxious and stressed about how your event will turn out is common, but don’t be discouraged. The following information will provide you with insightful information on how to organize a successful and eventful company picnic.

Steps for Planning a Fun Outdoor Company Picnic

If you’re looking for advice on how to plan a lively company picnic, you’re in luck. Depending on the type of picnic or event your hosting, there may be different details you’ll need to think about and prepare. However, with any type of team-building company event, there are four steps you must take to ensure it’s productive and consistent with your expectations. Read on to discover the best next steps to achieve just that!

Consider Your Goals

The main question to ask yourself when planning your company picnic is, “What’s the purpose of the event?” Before jumping into little tasks like searching for vendors, sending out invitations, and securing a venue, focus on identifying your vision and goals for the event.

If your goal is to produce a thoughtful and powerful getaway that encourages collaboration, boosts morale, and builds connections through engaging and friendly competition, then you’re already one step closer to organizing the perfect company picnic.

Set the Tone

After you conceptualize your company picnic, get your crew pumped up for a fun-filled weekend. When most people hear the word “team building,” they think of awkward and boring ice breakers. If people on your team go into the picnic with a negative outlook, others will start to feel the same.

Before you leave for the picnic, call for a company meeting. This is where you can set the tone, state your goals for the picnic, and show your team that this picnic will be memorable. Some things you can mention in the meeting to spur up excitement include:

Delicious catered food
Competitive activities
Entertainment
Other games and prizes

After all their hard work, this is an opportunity for your team to take part in a transformational and inspiring event– one that is sure to have them feeling like kids again.

Let Your Team Have Some Free-Time

Once your company arrives at the picnic, don’t try to rush it. Give your team the ability to adjust to life outside the office and take in the smell of fresh air. After all, this is an event for them– therefore, let them roam around, relax, mingle, and of course, get pepped-up once they see how much effort you put into making this picnic unique.

It is critical that members on your team have the time to engage in personal conversations face to face, especially if most of their work is independent or remote. Meeting in person, without the worries of work tasks, is now largely about connecting and bonding intimately, and less about focusing on work talk.

Incorporate Friendly Competitions

The most important thing you can do to make your company picnic one worth remembering is to incorporate friendly competitions to inspire employee engagement. There are several different types of enticing team-building activities and games that you can include in your company picnic that will spark up and challenge your team. Here is a list of company picnic game ideas and activities to help inspire employee engagement:

Cornhole tournament
Karaoke
Treasure hunt
Board game tournament
Sporting events
Water activities
Giant scrabble
Giant Jenga
Carnival like games
Putting greens
Company Trivia

The list goes on, but the main point is to include games that require your employees to get up, think hard, and collaborate with their peers. To make the thrill of winning even more attractive, include game winner prizes and incentives. Not only does a little competition never hurt anyone, but it can help your team build self-confidence and learn something new about themselves and their coworkers.

Still Not Sure Where to Start? Contact Frogbridge Picnics & Events for Support

An outdoor company picnic is the perfect opportunity for everyone at the office to take a break and feel appreciated for all that they do. Planning this by yourself might seem overwhelming, which is why our Central NJ corporate event venues is here to alleviate any of the troubles you have.

When you choose to host your outdoor corporate event or company picnic at Frogbridge Events, our devoted event planners will help with the details to make your event an exceptional one. From building the ideal menu to creating a personalized website, our comprehensive planning process provides an incomparable and care-free experience for your corporate event or company picnic. To start planning your company picnic at Frogbridge, please complete our contact form or call our office today at (609) 208-9475.

Joanna Brooks

outdoor corporate event to boost employee morale

September 9, 2020

Top Ways an Outdoor Corporate Event Can Boost Employee Morale

When employees lack morale, it negatively impacts performance, productivity, and workplace culture. This can lead to overly stressful and disconnected workplace environments. What’s worse is that low employee morale can spread quickly around the office, affecting even top-performing employees.

For managers and company executives, boosting employees’ morale can be a challenging task. However, it’s imperative to be proactive and tackle the issue before things get worse. That’s not only because work projects could be at risk of falling below the standard. There are more long-term consequences to consider: Low employee morale, if not managed properly, can result in increased turnover and absenteeism.

Fortunately, there are several ways you can support your team. One of the best ways is an outdoor corporate event! Not only can an outdoor corporate event help cultivate a high-energy company culture, but it can also strengthen team cohesion. Still not convinced? Here are some other top ways an outdoor corporate event can boost employee morale.

Change of Environment

Doing the same thing repeatedly gets boring after a while. Employees that come to work and do their same routine every day may start to feel unmotivated and lack determination. A change of environment can get your employees out of a rut by giving them something different to do. Perhaps a little fresh air and fun activities will be all they need to recharge and refocus.

An outdoor corporate event is the perfect opportunity to get all-in-one. From outdoor picnics and comfort foods to recreational activities and relaxation time, your employees can benefit greatly from an office getaway. Sometimes all it takes is a change of scenery for your employees to discover the best version of themselves and each other.

Inspiring Messages

Undoubtedly, the weather affects our mood. Ever heard “Here Comes the Sun” by the Beatles? Well, they weren’t lying when they sang about “the smiles returning to their faces.” Just as a rainy day can put us in a lazy and sad mood, sunshine can brighten moods and cheer us up.

The outdoors and the vast natural beauty around us—like trees, flowers, and lakes—have powerful effects on our health. Instead of taking a company trip to a restaurant or indoor venue, consider how much your employees would love an outdoor event. An outdoor corporate event can help your employees think more clearly and inspire them to achieve their goals and apply themselves to their work more meaningfully.

Unwind and Destress

Being in nature is relaxing and will allow your employees to unwind and destress—not just from work responsibilities, but from personal ones too. With open-air and sunshine, your employees can rejuvenate their minds and bodies, completely resetting their outlook. A corporate event venue on a lakefront or with a pool can create an immediate feeling of relaxation. Just seeing or hearing water can make your employees feel calm, instantly taking them to a safe place.

Collective Communication

Communication is essential to the success of any business. It is central to everything we do. When your employees are in a confined space, sometimes communicating can be difficult. Time spent outdoors can encourage your employees to talk about their ideas and reflect on shared interests, which promotes bonding, collaboration, and a way to look at concepts from a different perspective.

This is a chance for your team to learn new things about each other and build trust. Often, work is just about work. Employees don’t get the chance to learn about what their office mates enjoy doing outside of work or about their families and passions. A safe outdoor environment can stimulate vulnerability and togetherness, inevitably fostering friendship.

Bonding Activities

Just as being in an office can reduce collective communication, it can also limit bonding and team building. An outdoor corporate event with effective team-building activities and challenges will not only allow your employees to build teamwork skills but also pave the way for team success.

Whether it’s sporting activities or trivia games, your employees will be able to spend true quality time together. This will allow them to learn about each other’s strengths, weaknesses, and interests. You’d be surprised to see how your employees act outside of the workplace and how team-building exercises can develop a shared mindset among team members.

Foster Creativity

When your employees can communicate freely amongst themselves, they will feel more motivated to express their ideas. Those who are stressed or overwhelmed with work are less likely to come forward and share their thoughts on work-related projects or issues. A well-organized outdoor corporate event enables your employees to think and give them a break from emails and clients.

What’s more is that every time your employees step outdoors and see something that reminds them of your outdoor corporate event, they will have fond memories of how that event changed things for them. Investing in your team is one of the smartest business decisions you will ever make. You will be providing your employees with personal growth and memorable experiences that will last a lifetime.

Host Your Outdoor Corporate Event at Frogbridge Picnics & Events

If you want to incorporate the outdoors into your corporate event, Frogbridge Picnics & Events is perfect for you. The combination of our gorgeous 86-acre fields and the enticing scenery of Millstone Township, New Jersey will blow your employees away. The setting, details, and vibe of our venue will give your employees a space to discover themselves.

At Frogbridge Picnics & Events, our event planners can transform our space to meet your needs. With resort-style amenities, customized catering options, and popular outdoor adventure activities, we are sure that your team will leave feeling satisfied and revitalized. To discover more about what our company picnic venue in Central NJ has to offer, complete a contact form or call our office anytime at (609) 208-9475.

Joanna Brooks

August 18, 2020

How Early Should You Begin Planning a Company Retreat?

You know that your team desperately needs a getaway, but you’re debating how to do this. You’re not sure if you want to have a holiday event, a team-service event, or day off. Have you ever considered a company retreat? An effectively planned and executed company retreat comes with countless benefits that reward and engage your employees. Giving your employees the opportunity to participate is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that can go a long way for both them and your company.

Company retreats have the power to boost employee morale, build personal relationships, and re-energize your team’s wellness. When your team feels valuable and important, they work and cooperate more efficiently. However, planning a successful and meaningful retreat can be overwhelming, so the sooner you start, the better the outcome.

Why Planning Earlier is Better

The earlier you begin planning your company retreat, the more time you have to get everything organized and make certain everything is in order to guarantee a productive event. Planning your event earlier will allow you to clearly establish your goals for the event and ensure that everyone involved has a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities. Success is for firstcomers, as they say. If you start planning sooner rather than later, you can ensure things run smoothly, especially:

Transportation and budget
Securing a venue
Higher turnout rates
Quality of the event

Waiting to plan your company event can cost you the venue you wanted. Quality company retreat venues fill up fast, so you have to be proactive and reserve a date quickly. If you wait too long, your options may be limited, and you may struggle to find a venue that is near you. Also, planning will pay off in the end. When your event is a week away and you’ve already booked a venue, organized transportation, and created invitations, all you have to focus on is making a few calls to confirm that everything is good to go.

How Many People Are on Your Team?

The number of people on your team will determine how early you should start. Smaller companies anywhere between 10 to 20 people can reserve three to four months to start planning, whereas medium to large companies with 50 or more people will need anywhere between five to nine months of planning.

Both small and large-scale events come with unique challenges. However, if you’re planning a large event, you’ll need to be ready for a huge amount of effort. It might be easy to get 15 employees to come to your company event, but trying to accommodate 100 employees is going to be more complex. There are more steps that need to be taken into account, like budget, set up, and resources. Therefore, you should look for venues that have their own coordinators who can draft an event plan and handle all details so you don’t miss out on anything important.

What Date Works Best for Everyone?

When it comes time to plan your event, do not underestimate the importance of selecting a date. It isn’t as simple as picking a day on the calendar and hoping everyone can make it. There are a number of factors that should be taken into consideration, including:

Availability of employees
Weather
Holidays
School breaks
Conflicting events

In addition, the issue of team size comes into play when choosing a date. With smaller teams, you can simply send out an email asking everyone to choose a date that they can attend trouble-free. For larger teams, sending out an email to arrange a date can quickly turn into a mess. Before you know it, you’ll find yourself all over the place.

If you choose a date in advance, you have more time to fix any issues that may arise such as an employee with a prior commitment. Remember that you may not be able to please everyone and there may be complaints, but by starting early, you can give your employees the time they need to move things around in their lives.

Organize an Unforgettable Company Retreat at Frogbridge Events

If you’re looking to give your employees an escape from the busyness of the office life, look no further than Frogbridge Picnics & Events in Central New Jersey. Featuring 86 acres of spectacular views, our facility is the perfect option for corporate retreats both large and small. With tons of structured team-building exercises and resort-style amenities to choose from, we have the resources available to meet the needs and budgets of small businesses and large corporations.

Our company picnic venue in Central NJ can swiftly organize an unforgettable company retreat. We’ll handle the challenging details while you focus on picking a date and pumping your team up for an exciting day. Our team is more than happy to resolve any questions or concerns you may have. To learn more about the many packages we have to offer for company events, complete a contact form or call our office anytime at (609) 208-9475.

Joanna Brooks

organizing friendly competition at your company picnic

July 29, 2020

Organizing Friendly Competitions at Your Outdoor Company Picnic

Steps for Planning a Fun Outdoor Company Picnic

Consider Your Goals

Set the Tone

Delicious catered food
Competitive activities
Entertainment
Other games and prizes

After all their hard work, this is an opportunity for your team to take part in a transformational and inspiring event– one that is sure to have them feeling like kids again.

Let Your Team Have Some Free-Time

Incorporate Friendly Competitions

Cornhole tournament
Karaoke
Treasure hunt
Board game tournament
Sporting events
Water activities
Giant scrabble
Giant Jenga
Carnival like games
Putting greens
Company Trivia

Still Not Sure Where to Start? Contact Frogbridge Picnics & Events for Support

An outdoor company picnic is the perfect opportunity for everyone at the office to take a break and feel appreciated for all that they do. Planning this by yourself might seem overwhelming, which is why the team at Frogbridge Picnic & Events is here to alleviate any of the troubles you have.

Joanna Brooks

June 9, 2020

New Jersey Non-Traditional Corporate Retreat Ideas

When it comes to planning your corporate retreat, you don’t want the same old style as years before. Break with the past and try something new by including these fun ideas for a non-traditional corporate retreat. At Frogbridge, planning events is what we do best. We know that adding a few creative touches can turn a humdrum event into an extraordinary experience that everyone will remember!

Unconventional Central NJ Corporate Retreat Concepts

Adding a little flair and originality to your corporate retreat will encourage employee attendance and create an inviting atmosphere for employees to get to know each other better. Raise the bar by infusing these alternative suggestions at your next corporate retreat:

Unique Venues for your Corporate Retreat

The first thing to plan for any corporate retreat is the location. Swap the boring and all-too-popular reception hall or event center in exchange for a unique atmosphere. Consider a lakeside or beach setting that features recreational and leisurely activities.

A few off-the-wall venue options include:

Recreational resort
A historic site
Golf course
Farm field or barn
Bowling alley
Aquarium
Museum
Botanical garden
Boat or cruise

Pick a company picnic venue in Central NJ that fits your company culture so employees feel relaxed and comfortable to unwind. If you have a competitive bunch, choose a venue that offers options for games and team-building activities. If your team is under a lot of pressure, look for a place in the beautiful outdoors that includes serene landscaping and leisure activities.

Choosing Your Corporate Retreat Theme

What’s more exciting than an event with a theme? Having a theme for your corporate retreat generates buzz around the office in the weeks leading up to it, and employees can dress up to really get in the spirit.

Consider these out of the box theme ideas:

Hollywood
Murder Mystery
Gangsters
Roaring ’20’s
County fair
Star Wars Fairy Tales
Zombie Apocalypse
What happens in Vegas…
Rodeo

We suggest gathering props to enhance your theme and create a photo booth area! Employees can socialize and snap photos together to remember the day.

Crafting Your Corporate Retreat Menu

Once you choose your theme, the rest of the planning decisions are simple! Build onto your theme with a specialty menu to delight the taste buds. For example, if you have a carnival or county fair theme, include funnel cakes, corn dogs, and perhaps deep-fried Oreos! If you’re having a Hawaiian luau, infuse your menu with pineapple and tropical notes.

If you’d rather skip the theme, you can still get creative when crafting your menu! Consider serving finger foods that guests love like mini-pulled pork sliders, beef kebabs, and crab cakes. If you want a more nutritious option, try a “wrap buffet” where guests can choose their own meats, veggies, and fixings.

Employees and guests will happily welcome novelty snacks and desserts to enjoy throughout their corporate retreat experience. Consider gourmet cookies, shaved Italian ice, or an ice cream sundae bar for a sweet summertime snack!

Plan your food and drink selections with a professional event planner who can bring all of your ideas and wishes into a real-life extravaganza!

Games & Activities for your corporate retreat

While some in the office may jump at the chance to participate in highly competitive sporting games, others might shudder at the thought. Be sure you consider the varying tastes and preferences when planning activities and team building exercises, so everyone finds something to enjoy.

A few of our favorites include:

Scavenger hunt
Extreme ziplining
Tug-of-war
Cornhole
Laser tag
Sports (beach volleyball, golf)
Water sports (kayaking, bumper boats)
Professional go-karts
Carnival-style games
Inflatable bounce houses

Everyone loves to win, so why not take it up a notch by including prizes to award the winning teams? Customized gifts with your company logo are ideal for a corporate retreat. Popular, high-quality ideas include lunch bags, sunglasses, and cell phone chargers.

Employee Gifts for your corporate retreat

Your employees work hard for your company day in and day out. Surprise them with a genuine show of gratitude by gifting your employees with something special at the end of the retreat. A little bit can go a long way, and your staff will be sure to return to work refreshed and re-energized come Monday morning.

Two ideas to show employee appreciation include:

Gift cards to the local coffee shop, car wash, or happy hour spot is always a good idea, plus it stimulates the local businesses in your community
Custom golf umbrellas with the company logo will be cherished by your staff for years to come.

Start Planning Your New Jersey Corporate Retreat with Frogbridge Events Today

Corporate retreats are more than a fun getaway for everyone at the office. These experiences have many benefits like increased teamwork, less stress in the office, and galvanized employees ready to work toward a common goal. When you’re ready to plan a non-traditional corporate retreat that your employees won’t soon forget, the professional event planning team at Frogbridge Events is prepared to help!

Our New Jersey Event Planners have helped numerous Fortune 500 companies, like L’oreal and Johnson & Johnson, plan their corporate events. We know what it takes to pull off an extraordinary corporate retreat experience and can plan yours too. Our corporate event planning team will walk you through your event step by step until we’ve created the corporate picnic, retreat, or event to enthrall and delight your whole team! Schedule a call to learn more at Frogbridge Events by completing an online contact form or call today at (609) 208-9475.

Joanna Brooks

entertainment for all ages at corporate events

November 30, 2017