Team Building

PAINT & SIP
Our artist will begin the class by going over what to expect from the process and then begin to show the class a step-by-step process of building the painting. Take breaks during the class to allow the paint to dry and to give your guests a chance to step away from their paintings and fill their cups. When the painting process is complete, our artist will show you how to sign your masterpiece and you are finished! The acrylic paint dries very quickly and within minutes, your painting will be dry and ready to take home.

‍

GOOD LIFE CERAMICS
MOBILE CLAY STUDIO: Good Life Ceramics’ mobile clay studio will come to Chaminade! They arrive with all the needed tools, materials, and prepared clay. Create and connect with your team members for two hours while enjoying the beauty of clay. You’ll finish with a hand-built large mug that can be delivered (within 75 mile radius) or shipped (additional shipping fee will apply).

‍

FORAGING HIKE
Find out what you can eat in the woods! Hike on the lovely grounds of Chaminade Resort where you’ll be guided by an expert to learn and sample edible & medicinal plants/mushrooms. This deeply immersive walk invites you to remember the ancient ways of foraging while being in relationship with the ecosystem. Sample the abundance of plants, mushrooms, roots, flowers, nuts and seeds (depending on the season) as you stroll along the forested pathways. Along the way you'll discuss proper harvesting and preparation techniques as well as how to carry your knowledge forward to discover what’s edible in your own neighborhoods & parks!
‍

GUIDED HIKE
With over 3 miles of hiking trail meandering through pristine eucalyptus groves and grassy fields, you will surely feel miles away from ordinary. A variety of terrain and intensity levels on our trails will suit every guest and make your group feel refreshed.
‍

FOREST BATHING
The ancient Japanese practice of “Forest Bathing” invites us into a deeper dialogue with the wild world to experience our sense of belonging. Your guide will lead you through a variety of sensory meditations, inviting you into a deeper connection with the “more-than-human” world. This is an opportunity to disconnect from your devices, slow down and be held by mother nature. Please come prepared with whatever you need to sit/lie on the earth in comfort for approx. 30 mins. This experience has been proven to reduce anxiety/overwhelm while increasing creativity, well-being and awe.

‍

FIELD SKETCHING: WILDFLOWERS WITH SAMI CHANG
California wildflowers are here! Join science illustrator Sami Chang for a guided field sketching experience in Chaminade meadows where you will observe some of our County’s most amazing native wildflowers. Learn about flower anatomy and practice field sketching techniques while learning to identify some of our local grassland flowers. Basic materials will be provided, but participants are encouraged to bring their favorite nature journaling and field sketching tools, such as a journal, watercolor palette, pencils, pens, hand lenses, etc.

‍

HANDS ON DRUMMING RHYTHM SESSION ™
Hands On Drumming Rhythm Session
‍
Introduce your team to the techniques and traditions of west African Djembes, Middle Eastern Frame Drums, Caribbean Maracas and North American Tambourines (jingle rings). The activities will actively engage your group members in reinforcing the real-world skills needed to synchronize their work rhythms, and to bring immediate and enduring benefits to your organization, including reducing stress levels during challenging times, improving teamwork, communication and relationship skills, energizing, focusing and motivating people, aligning the participants with the organization’s values and goals and stimulating creativity.

‍

FRESH PASTA MAKING CLASS
Learn to make fresh egg pasta with ease. This is a hands-on pasta making class where you will learn basic dough technique. Old world recipes will find new life in your hands as you work with top quality ingredients to create unparalleled flavors and fresh, authentic pastas.
‍

SUSHI MAKING CLASS
Discover how to create classic Japanese sushi, salmon and cucumber maki (rolled sushi), tempura and prawn temaki (hand roll), salmon and tuna nigiri (hand-pressed) and Western-style California and Alaska uramaki (inside out rolls). Techniques covered include cooking sushi rice, cutting fish & vegetables, cooking seafood and meat, making sushi and serving.
‍

SOUTHWEST SALSA MAKING CHALLENGE
Turn your guests into southwestern Chefs, and let their creative juices flow! We will coordinate your group into teams and send them off on a cooking adventure to create the best prize-worthy salsa.
‍

BONFIRE & S'MORES GALORE
Capture the true essence of evenings in Santa Cruz while enjoying a night under the stars with your own private bonfire & smores experience.
‍

MIXOLOGY
Experience an interactive mixology class with Master Mixologist. Creating fun, engaging, educational and interactive participation of guests. With introduction to basic ingredients and methods of crafting cocktails, participate will lean the how to curate their own cocktails at the comfort of their convenience. Gin, vodka or rum based cocktails.
‍

WINE TASTING EXPERIENCE
Enjoy a selection of local wines from Beauregard, a local winery from the Santa Cruz Mountains. A fabulous Pre or Post dinner addition or just a way to “wine” down with the team!
‍

ORGANIZATIONAL ROLES EXPERIENCE - Northern Roots Bee Co.
Participants learn how the specialized roles of a honeybee colony - nature’s best and oldest example of a high-performing team - mirror organizational roles within functional teams and companies. Participants come to understand the intricate organizational hive structure, which is one with observable teams, patterns, designated jobs roles, efficiencies, and incredible productivity. They challenge themselves to incorporate the hive’s lessons into their personal and professional lives. At the same time, they come to understand the environmental and economic impact of honeybees and how their organization can be part of the solution.
‍

HONEY TASTING - Northern Roots Bee Co.
In this unique honey sensory experience, participants will delight in the complex and nuanced flavors of varietal honeys. Participants will learn about how bees make honey, why terroir and nectar sources influence a honey’s color and flavor, how honey is harvested from a beehive, and how to source quality honey. We’ll express gratitude to the hard-working beehive, as a single bee will produce just 5 drops of honey in her lifetime! The expert beekeeper will introduce many unique flavors such as cinnamon, butterscotch, and coffee, hiding beneath the initial ‘sweetness’ of the honey. Participants will have an opportunity to refine their palate as they learn to identify the individual flavors that burst forth in each delicious spoonful. This experience will leave participants inspired to be more creative in their own kitchen and a more educated consumer of high-quality honey.

Group Size: 15 participants minimum
Length of Program: 45 mins
*Includes three honey varietals and fresh honeycomb
‍
ORGANIZATIONAL ROLES EXPERIENCE & HONEY TASTING
Both programs combined into one deliciously educational experience.
‍
Group Size: 15 participants minimum
Length of Program: 1.5 hours
*Includes three honey varietals and fresh honeycomb

SCAVENGER HUNT
A great way to get outside and let off steam in between meetings! Your team will receive a list of photo scenes to reenact around the resort grounds and team members must stay together as they take fun, creative, and often silly pictures in front of iconic Chaminade locations.

BOAT BUILDING COMPETITION
Creativity, communication, and reckless abandon are the ingredients for success in our popular Boat Building competition. As teams attempt to build a seaworthy craft from an assortment of materials, they will discover that working together for a common goal can be fun and rewarding! First comes the design, then the construction, and finally the race in an all-out, paddle for your life charge to the finish line.
‍

DISC GOLF
It’s the fun of Frisbee combined with the strategic complexity of golf! Your group will learn the basic techniques and rules, then play a round designed to maximize participation and fun. Our local disc golf pro will consult with you about your group’s desired activity level and event objectives, then work with you to create the ideal disc golf experience on the Chaminade 9-hole disc golf course.
‍

ROPES COURSE
The Ropes Course creates a remarkable natural metaphor for flexibility and growth. Under the redwoods, you’ll work together to think strategically, set goals, and execute under pressure. The course consists of both low and high elements, and our staff will work with you to modulate the event based on your team objectives and comfort with heights. This experience is located at the beautiful Chaminade Resort & Spa in Santa Cruz, California.
‍

info@synergylearningsystems.com
‍

GEOCACHING
The worldwide sport of geocaching with a team building twist. In Geoteaming, your group will use GPS receivers, 2–way radios, and digital cameras to locate hidden containers worth valuable “revenue” for your expedition. You'll also need to decipher visual and written clues to chart the path ahead and keep moving your team forward. Designed courses available in California at the beautiful Chaminade Resort in Santa Cruz.
‍

info@synergylearningsystems.com

EGGXPERIMENT
Negotiation skills, problem solving, budgeting, cooperation, and tons of fun! Teams gather to make the ultimate egg protection device, without breaking the bank. Will yours make the drop?
‍

LIFE CYCLES (BIKE BUILDING)
The Life Cycles program reinforces business and organizational skills through a practical philanthropic activity—building bikes. Your team experiences firsthand the influence of their actions, integrity, attention and intention on their work . . . and discovers just how much they get in return from the simple act of giving. A series of experiential activities culminates in building bicycles that will then be donated to “customers”, underserved children who will be receiving their first bike. It is truly an event unlike any other!
‍

OFFSITE: NATIVE PLANT RESTORATION & STEWARDSHIP IN TYRRELL PARK
It’s time to get your hands dirty! Work together as you learn about local ecology, native plants, and sustainable gardening while coming together as a community to steward Tyrrell Park through the City’s Adopt-A-Park program.
‍

*OPTIONAL ADD ONS*

Boxed Lunches from Chaminade Resort ($40++ per person)

Use of outdoor amphitheater at a cost

Educational Presentation by Museum Staff
‍

OFFSITE: BEACH CLEANUP AT SEABRIGHT BEACH
Help steward the ocean by removing trash and debris from our beaches, fostering a healthy and thriving ocean. Santa Cruz is connected to the Monterey Bay Ocean Sanctuary. Guided by the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History, we’ll record data on the types and amount of debris collected. Then we use this information to help influence policy and increase awareness of how humans impact our environment.
‍

*OPTIONAL ADD ONS*

Boxed Lunches from Chaminade Resort ($40++ per person)

Use of outdoor amphitheater at a cost

Educational Presentation by Museum Staff
‍

OFFSITE: SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK (WATSONVILLE
Second Harvest can provide a variety of customized group volunteer activities. They can customize a volunteer opportunity that’s right for your group.

CONTACT: Connect with Second Harvest Food Bank Directly to set up your volunteer time https://www.thefoodbank.org/group-volunteer-request-form/
‍

OFFSITE: INDIGENOUS CULTURE OF THE CENTRAL COAST
People have lived along the Central Coast of California for over 10,000 years. Today, the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band continues to steward this landscape as their ancestors have for millennia. Join the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History for an interactive program built in partnership with the Amah Mutsun, exploring the history, culture, and traditional ecological knowledge of this area’s original inhabitants.

Contact: Marisa Gomez marisa@santacruzmuseum.org
‍

HATHA OR VINYASA YOGA
Prepare yourself for a soul-soothing, blissful experience with our experienced instructors. Set your class on our Redwood Deck at sunset overlooking our Forest Valley or our Courtyard Terrace as the sun rises beyond the bay. All levels welcome.
‍

RESTORATIVE YOGA WITH SAVASANA SOUND EXPERIENCE
This restorative flow (accompanied by live music) will help you drop into your body, integrate the day, restore internal balance, and dissolve you into presence. You will be guided through a relaxing series of stretches, ending with an extended Savasana + healing sound experience.
‍

MINDFULNESS WORKSHOP
This 60-minute workshop will be divided into a 50-minute informational + interactive seminar and a 10-minute body scan meditation. Seminar topics include: Meditation & Neuroplasticity, Foundations of Meditation, The Power of Breath, or a Meditation Combination (select one).
‍

HOLISTIC NUTRITION WORKSHOP
This 45-minute workshop will leave you feeling motivated to mindfully nourish your body. Topics include: What is Mindful Eating? Eliminate Sugar Cravings, Digestive Health: The Mind-Body Connection, Healthy Snacking + Make Your Own Energy Bites (select one).
‍

A DAY OF WELLNESS
Create an environment to learn & refresh. The wellness activities sprinkled throughout the day will infuse your retreat with energy & vision. A combination of mindful movement, informing + interactive workshops and relaxing, guided meditation with live music will leave your guests feeling invigorated, inspired, connected to your mission, and in sync with your team. Includes a 60-minute Beginner Vinyasa Flow, 60-minute Mid-day Mindfulness Workshop, 45-minute Holistic Nutrition Workshop and 60-minute Restorative Yoga + Savasana Sound Experience.
‍