Adventure-seeking groups are finding different ways to get their adrenaline flowing these days.
For those wanting to ramp up the excitement level and provide the ultimate buffer between meetings, there are a wide variety of interesting, historically significant, immersive activity possibilities.
Whether it’s flying vintage combat aircraft, riding on a cattle drive or panning for gold, the opportunities are diverse and exciting. Better still, attendees will emerge recharged and focused for upcoming meetings and special events.
Mining Outposts
Yesteryear miners would venture just about anywhere to find treasure in the western U.S. At the Telluride Golf & Ski Resort in Telluride, Colo., small groups can travel the rugged, nearly impassable Black Bear Pass in specially designed four-wheel-drive off-road vehicles to go where miners congregated when hunting for valuable minerals.
“The Black Bear Pass off-road adventure takes guests on an exhilarating journey down a steep rocky road through old mining outposts with captivating photo opportunities prevalent throughout,” says Robert Stenhammer, vice president of Telluride Ski & Golf Resort. “It truly is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and one of the many exceptional activities available through our resort.”
Abandoned mines, old mining outposts, waterfalls and drop-dead-gorgeous scenic views dominate the 3.6-mile trip.
The Telluride Golf & Ski Resort has 20,000 square feet of meeting space and an adjacent outdoor plaza offering spectacular views for special events.
Ropin’ and Ridin’
From participating in a cattle drive to roping and barrel racing, group activities offered at the Rockin’ R Ranch in Antimony, Utah, will entertain even the most domesticated city slicker.
“We’re a family-owned, real Old West working ranch where people can truly escape urban life at a fun and inspiring setting,” says Camille Ovard, a Rockin’ R Ranch owner.
Located a 45-minute drive from Bryce Canyon National Park and three-and-half hours from Salt Lake City, the Rockin’ R Ranch encompasses 1,000 acres of pristine meadows and fields in the southern part of the state.
Authentic cattle drives are staged four times a year. Each drive is limited to 12 people and reservations must be made in advance.
Ovard says corporate groups interested in teambuilding experiences can customize programs around arena activities such as barrel racing, roping, pole bending, calf riding and horsemanship. Other group activity options include trail rides, skeet shooting, hayrides, hiking and archery.
The Rockin’ R Ranch has a 37-room lodge, plus four additional rooms, a private conference room, a dance and recreation hall, a swimming pond and a fire pit.
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Vintage War Planes
You’ll head to the open skies for this amazing teambuilding venture.
Warbird Adventures in Kissimmee, Fla., near Walt Disney World, offers rides in World War II-era planes as part of its unique teambuilding program.
Flying North American AT-6 Texans, which were popular trainer planes in World War II and other conflicts, guests fly in the front of the cockpit accompanied by an experienced instructor/pilot.
“Typically we start out in formation with two or three planes and later the guest has an opportunity to fly with assistance from the instructor,” says Neil Sands, a Warbird Adventures instructor/pilot. “We also incorporate pseudo-dogfighting and various aerobatics.
“People really bond from the experience and it’s something that’s truly memorable,” Sands says.
The flights range from 15 minutes to an hour and the meeting planner in consultation with an instructor can determine the length of the experience.
“We can customize the program depending on what goals the group wants to accomplish,” Sands says.
Patriotic Portal
Colonial Williamsburg, a 301-acre historic area in Williamsburg, Va., with numerous authentic or recreated buildings from the Colonial and American Revolutionary War eras, offers several opportunities to experience history up close and personal.
The options range from hosting a spirited debate between Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson, who are portrayed impressively by Colonial Williamsburg’s actor-interpreters in period costumes, to receiving an escort to an historic tavern with the Colonial Fife and Drums corps.
Historic taverns at Colonial Williamsburg include Christiana Campbell’s Tavern, Josiah Chowing’s Tavern, Shields Tavern and King’s Arms Tavern.
“Our goal is to educate attendees while they’re having fun,” says Barbara Brown, communications manager for The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. “Visitors are always amazed at the authenticity and believable nature of our actor-interpreters.”
Colonial Williamsburg encompasses 1,057 hotel rooms, 72,500 square feet of indoor meeting space and outdoor venues like gardens, terraces, patios and lawns. Amenities at the resort include 45 holes of championship golf, eight tennis courts, the Spa of Colonial Williamsburg and on-site shopping, lounging and dining opportunities.
River Revelry
To fully experience the Mississippi River in all its glory, the 800-passenger Celebration Belle is a grandiose vessel loaded with amenities and event possibilities.
Measuring 196 feet long, the giant paddlewheel-style vessel has four decks, including two climate-controlled decks ideal for meetings and parties.
Departing from Dubuque, Iowa, and Moline, Ill., the Celebration Belle allows passengers to enjoy the Mississippi River at a leisurely pace in a well-appointed, re-created boat.
“The Celebration Belle is the largest non-gaming vessel on the upper Mississippi River,” says Julie Kronlage, director of sales for the Dubuque Area CVB, also known as Travel Dubuque. “This boat is ideal for meal functions, breakout space and educational and entertainment cruises.”
Dubuque has a revitalized historic riverfront with casinos, restaurants, an amphitheater, bars and the Smithsonian-affiliated National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium. For an immersive experience, there are a variety of horse-drawn carriage and horse-drawn streetcar tours that take visitors past 18th century landmarks and Victorian mansions in Dubuque.
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Saloon Crawl
Once a boom town for gold and silver mining, Virginia City, Nev., is a beautifully preserved, picturesque, Victorian-era town with authentic board sidewalks, historic buildings, Old West saloons, shops, museums and restaurants.
“Virginia City is not contrived like a theme park; rather, it’s an authentic, preserved town where people can step back in time momentarily,” says Deny Dotson, tourism director for the Virginia City Tourism Commission.
A popular group event is the “Saloon Crawl,” where attendees dress up in period costume and visit the 15 saloons in town.
“It’s great fun and really gets people engaged in the Virginia City experience,” Dotson says.
Other immersive activities include panning for gold, steam engine train rides, history tours and staged train robberies with actors in period costumes.
Ideal for day trips, Virginia City is 15 miles from Carson City, 25 miles from Reno and 36 miles from Lake Tahoe.
Candlelight Exploration
Overlooking Puerto Rico’s Old San Juan, the Castillo San
Cristobal, built by the Spanish in 1783, is an imposing, well-preserved fortress offering groups unique opportunities to explore and experience the historical structure.
Spread out over 27 acres, the oceanside fortress has a tunnel system, main plaza, guardhouse, quarters for troops and exhibits of military clothing and mortar shells.
Groups can travel back in time with a “Candlelight Tour” of the fort. With no artificial lighting, each guest carries a lantern to break the extreme darkness as they follow a guide outfitted in a period military uniform.
e outfitted in a period military uniform.
“It’s a fantastic way to feel the eeriness, danger and grandeur of the fort in a very special way,” says Sandra Pomales-Castro, director of communications for Meet Puerto Rico. “There are also opportunities for groups of up to 20 people for dinners and cocktail parties at the fort.”
EDWARD SCHMIDT JR. is an Orlando-based writer with a fondness for steam-engine trains and vintage airplanes.
