We’re thrilled to share Grad Nights with so many graduating seniors throughout the Bay Area.

As usual this time of year, we close our doors a bit early on certain nights so our grads can start their parties in style.  Please note the following early closure times for our Fremont building:

Sunday 5/20/12 8pm

Friday 5/25/12 9pm

Thursday 5/31/12 8pm

Friday 6/1/12 8pm

Saturday 6/2/12 8pm (Family Fun Night will be from 5pm to 8pm)

Tuesday 6/5/12 8pm

Wednesday 6/6/12 9pm (Karaoke will be from 4:30 – 8:30pm)

Thursday 6/7/12 10pm

Friday 6/8/12 7pm

Saturday 6/9/12 8pm (Family Fun Night will be from 5pm to 8pm)

Friday 6/15/12 8pm

8:00am – 9:00am          Registration Opens

9:30am                               ISO closes for rules meeting

10:00am – 1:00pm        Qualifier round

1:00pm – 2:00pm          Lunch break

1:30pm                               Results posted/ISO opens

2:15pm                               ISO closes

2:30pm – 4:30pm          Finals round

3:15pm – 5:15pm           Speed Climbing

6:00pm                              Awards

Yes it’s going to be an action packed day and WE NEED VOLUNTEERS! If you’re interested in helping out please call 510.651.2500 x 101 to sign up!

We are also looking for volunteers to help us out throughout the day to keep the competition running smoothly . We’re looking for belayers, judges, speed-climb timers, ISO-runner or line-em-uppers, scorecard runners, check-in, registration or scoring helpers. If you’re interested in helping in the morning, afternoon, or both, please get in touch with us.

510-651-2500 x.101

The study shows strong evidence that physical activity is tied to more positive performance in learning.  According to MedicalXpress.com, the article “suggests that exercise may help cognition by increasing blood and oxygen flow to the brain, increasing levels of norepinephrine and endorphins to decrease stress and improve mood, and increasing growth factors that help create new nerve cells and support synaptic plasticity.”  That means that physical activity helps to put your body in the most ideal place to allow your brain to learn.

So what does that mean to the world of team building or teamwork?  It suggests that the worst way to provide team building would be to lecture to a group of inactive people.   To encourage them to learn more, you need them to get up, get them moving around and engaged physically as well as intellectually.

A Game of Ping Pong, Anyone?

Think about the latest meeting you attended.  After a few hours of sitting, your brain begins to feel overloaded and your body can feel a bit sluggish.  The information your team needs to internalize eventually becomes white noise once their brains have shut off and the PowerPoint presentation has become a blurry background.

Now imagine taking a break and making your way to a City Beach entertainment hub for a game of ping pong, billiards or perhaps a friendly competition in air hockey.  We do offer far more interactive and physical activities, but for a traditional meeting, a “fun” break can be just what your team needs to refocus, to be more ready for the second half of the meeting.   With a little added jolt to their bodies, their brains can better learn.

Team Building and Meetings at City Beach

Check out our Team Building programs for some terrific physical activity based options or schedule your next meeting at City Beach. What better way to ensure your message gets across as effectively as possible?

Check out the photo galleries of some of our event programs:

Corporate & Social Events

Ultimate Team Challenge

The Race

Games of the Olympiad

Extreme Chef

At City Beach, our Kids’ Camp Counselors play a number of games with our camp  kids — from silly to active to competitive.  All with the intention to entertain them, of course, but in the end, they’re learning vital skills about how to work in a group setting, how to listen, and more.  And since we know repetition helps to cement what they’ve learned in their long-term memory banks, the best way to reinforce these skills is to practice, practice, practice!

Here are a few fun games you can use to help kids of any age learn to work well in a group environment:

Simon Says

This classic game is great for kids of any age (with a little alteration for the younger ones) and teaches them to follow directions in a fun way, to listen to what they are being told and formulate an action based on those instructions.  Play the first round with your children.

One person plays the role of “Simon.”  He or she stands in front of the room. Simon’s job is to give instructions to the rest of the group – such as “pat your head.”  The catch?  Those who are following are only supposed to respond to the commands that start with “Simon says.”

For older children, you can eliminate the ones who act without the words “Simon says.”  For younger children, they seem to get such a kick out of getting each other to do silly things, it’s not a bad idea just to let them play.

Cereal Box City

This is a fun,easy game that requires kids to work together (and a little set up ahead of time).  Provide a bunch of empty cereal boxes, some tape and a large work space.  The kids must work together build a giant city.  They can add whatever else they want that they think goes in a city, as well, such as cars, people, etc.

Something You Don’t Know

This game is a getting-to-know-you game,  usually best for teens.  It allows the kids to know each other and see each other in a way that steps outside of their preconceived notions.  Put the kids in a circle, and one by one, they will tell the group one thing the others don’t know. (An example: You don’t know I was born in Illinois.)   The most effective way is when you do at least three rounds of this — the more rounds, the more sincere the kids will get about what they are revealing. ( The leader sets the tone of these reveals.  if this is meant to be a “get-to-know-my-neighbor, keep the tone lighter, more focused on common interests.  If you’re looking for a more serious connection and a breakdown of judgements, you can set the tone to be more revealing, more indepth.)

Download our Team Building for Children Poster

Looking for something to put in your classroom or keep on a wall?  Download our FREE Teambuilding for Kids Poster (11×17) with two terrific team building games on it: Killer Winker and The Human Knot.

And to help you decide, our employees offer up their favorite items on the new menu:

Mike Maguire (our COO) Recommends:
The Grilled Meatloaf

 ”It’s the perfect, filling option!”  Our Sliced Meatloaf is placed over the open-grill, served with Garlic Mashed Potatoes and Sautėed Seasonal Vegetables.

Lisa Scaduto (Birthday Coordinator) Recommends:
The Meatball Sub

“The marinara sauce is totally authentic.  It’s so good!”  Our Meatball sub is Beef Meatballs simmered in Marinara Sauce, with Mozzarella and Parmesan Cheese on a French Roll. Served with French Fries.

Jeannie (Marketing Manager) Recommends:
The City Beach Chicken Wrap

“The Mango Salsa is to die for — it adds just the touch of citrus to make this wrap unique and out of this world.  (And yummy french fries!)”  The City Beach Chicken Wrap is Grilled Chicken with a Mango Salsa, creamy Red Pepper Aoli, Romaine Lettuce, and Shredded Cheddar Cheese and wrapped in a Flour Tortilla. Served with french fries.

Marcus (Rock Gym Manager) Recommends:
The Sante Fe Wrap

“The chipotle sauce adds a nice hint of spice.  It’s a healthy, delicious meal.” Grilled Chicken, Cheddar Cheese, Bacon, Lettuce, Diced Tomatoes, and creamy Chipotle Sauce in a Sun-Dried Tomato Tortilla.  Served with French Fries.

Freedom Moore (Operations Manager) Recommends:
The Offshore Pizza

“The pesto is terrific and the pizza is the perfect size — totally filling.”   The Offshore Pizza is baked on artisan bread, smothered in a mix of cheeses and covered with Pesto, Smoked Chicken and Artichoke Hearts

New Hours

Our doors open daily at 11am, Monday through Friday.

New Happy Hour Events:

Monday – Free Table Games Night (with purchase)
Tuesday – Happy Hour All Night
Wednesday – Karaoke with Kid Kangol, 6pm to 10pm

Our New Look

So, ladies, grab your girlfriends, and climb some rocks before heading over to the restaurant.

We gave out a bunch of cool prizes and among them was a brand spankin’ new rope! We caught the tail of our sponsors’ giveaway items, so we got some of the leftovers, but fortunately we’ve been worked into the budget in the upcoming year. We’ve also got some new sponsors getting in on the mix. That means we’ll be getting more stuff to give away!

In the meantime here are the results!

The ones highlighted in orange are the winners for their category. You can also check out some pictures that are posted on our Facebook here. There’s LOTS to click through and feel free to tag your friends as well as yourself!

The next comp will be on January 14th and you can register yourself in advance to save a few extra dollars here. Also take note the bouldering areas will be closed the Tuesday before the comp all the way until the comp.

Christmas Eve   11am-4pm    

Christmas Day   CLOSED           

New Year’s Eve   11am-4pm

New Year’s Day   11am-10pm

We wanted to host a bouldering competition for our community that catered to all skill-levels of climbers because let’s face it, most climbing competitions are reserved for the climbing elite that can do one-arm pull-ups easier than us mortals can brush our teeth. Saturday, November 12, marked the beginning of our competition series. There was great energy in our gym as people pushed their limits, had fun, and made friends.

Are you signed up for our next Average Joe Competition yet? If not, then you should do it now. Click here to register.

All the cool kids are doing it!

THE WINNERS!

THE RESULTS!