This past weekend we had the pleasure of hosting the John Jay Women’s Swim Team in the Catskills for 3 days of adventure, team-building and training! We and our partners at Upstate Adventure Guides customized a 3 day experience highlighting the best of the Catskills, in the woods and in the local towns. Bonus--accommodations in a lovely 9 room farmhouse on the grounds of the Roxbury Farm, a working organic farm!

We kicked off our adventure with a climb of Balsam Lake Mountain, hiking through a Winter wonderland to the summit firetower and warming up with soup and Mountain Mocha while we discussed the Psychology of Survival and how it applies to athletics.

After a 2 hour practice in the pool at the Arkville Rec Center, the team was ready for a big dinner and we were happy to oblige! Will Soter from UAG is a talented chef and he served a delicious meal--it wouldn’t even be fair to describe since there’s none left!

On Sunday. the team held an early am practice, then refueled with a brunch of scratch buttermilk pancakes, candied bacon, local breakfast sausage and more before heading off into the woods for Survival School.

The team learned how to build fire without matches.

 And shelter from natural materials.

They also got to drink fresh mountain water right from the stream and we even found wild carrot!

 After a second swim practice, we showered and headed into town for a delicious dinner at the Zephyr, a local farm to table restaurant with amazing food and sublime desserts.

On Monday, we enjoyed a hearty and well earned breakfast at the Arkville Bread & Breakfast (aka--the Pancake Train.) From there, we visited a gorgeous frozen waterfall

Finally, we stopped off to pick up (pounds!) of local bacon at Jenkins Leuken Orchard and then headed back to NYC! 

Would your like to see your team/office/organization having this much fun and bonding with one another? Let us know--we'd love to learn about your goals and then customize exactly the adventure you're seeking!  

 For the Full Photo Album from this Adventure, please click here.