Progressive idea cards

The first is progressive idea cards.   The cards are part of the ‘Progressive Ideas Project’ which strives to bring innovative thinkers together and determine how to bring great ideas to life and make them happen.  Kind of a large undertaking, so this idea might not be so easy to implement, but I like the concept!

The second idea is the “Before I die…..” blackboard designed and hosted by artist and TED fellow Candy Chang.

"Before I die....."

A few submissions caught my eye:  “Plow over every fear I encounter and be unstoppable!” “Laugh EVERY DAY!” “FLY!”  Post a “Before I die….” board at your next event for your attendees to share their hopes and dreams.

Visit the Bizbash website for ideas to help you plan your next event, and be sure to take a look at the TED article and let me know what ideas you find worth stealing.

Hold a breakout meeting overlooking Fallen Leaf Lake!

One price includes all meals, coffee breaks, lodging, meeting rooms set to you specifications, A/V equipment and wireless internet access in the meeting rooms, common areas and guest rooms and cabins.  Meeting packages also include airport transfers on arrival and departure day to the Reno Tahoe Airport depot in South Lake Tahoe and use of non-motorized boats at our boat dock.  Also onsite meeting attendees can play tennis, volleyball, basketball or horseshoes.

Spring 2012 double occupancy rates begin at $165 per night.  20% is added to rates for taxes, service fee and gratuity.  For your Lake Tahoe meeting this spring, we have some excellent midweek available dates including May 20-23 and June 10-13.  Call me (Nancy) at 530-542-5600 or request a proposal today!

Setting meeting rooms is a common shift for all purpose staff

Depending on snowfall over the next couple of months, spring work can also include shoveling snow, carrying firewood, equipment or furniture and once the weather starts to warm, working on the boat dock!

Boat dock staff ensure guests have a safe and fun experience on the water

The seasonal staff work hard, then are rewarded with free time in one of the most beautiful spots in the world for outdoor fun – hiking, boating, cycling and even frisbee golf!  Staff live on site, so have an incredibly short commute and all meals are provided by our executive chef Dave Dennis and his staff, not a bad gig for a couple of months!

We believe in having fun at work

For more information on working a conference season at Sierra Camp, visit our conference staff site.  Applications are available online and are due March 9.

Spring at Stanford Sierra provides a quiet & serene setting for your group to focus on your important meeting content.  During free time, enjoy hiking to nearby waterfalls or paddling Fallen Leaf Lake on a kayak, stand up paddle board or rowboat.

Early morning at the lower falls. Lynette Kent photographer

A peephole view of the boat dock in spring

Check available dates online or submit a request for proposal.  Your meeting participants will thank you for choosing our comfortable conference center on beautiful Fallen Leaf Lake!

On the north shore, Northstar opened last week and Friday, November 23 Squaw Valley Resort will open.  If you’re planning a Tahoe ski trip, our sister property, the Stanford Alpine Chalet, is ready for winter guests!  You can contact Geoff Armstrong, marketing manager at 530-583-1550 or chalet@stanford.edu.

Geoff and Dusty at the Chalet and ready for winter!

There are are a few available rooms at the Chalet for Thanksgiving weekend.  Chef Ron will be cooking up a fabulous Turkey day feast if you’re that last-minute kind of person and still looking for a place to land tomorrow.

Cozy, mountain view room at the Chalet

Alpine Meadows, neighbor to the Chalet, has set an opening date of December 10, “weather and conditions permitting”.  The exciting change this year, Alpine is now sister resort to Squaw Valley!  Through November 30, you can purchase a season pass for $439 that is good  at both mountains!  Another option is a six pack of tickets for $399.

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Stanford Sierra Camp, and we hope to see you on the slopes this winter!

St. Francis Chapel at Fallen Leaf Lake

The lake is calm and glassy, so I really want to be out there on my paddleboard!

Something missing in the middle, isn't there?

Instead, I went for a little walk and took some photos.

Gorgeous, isn't it?

Many of the aspens and other annuals haven’t even turned yet and with mild weather in the forecast, colors will be vibrant for the next week or so.  If you are in the area, come on out for a hike, paddle on the lake, or just to sit and take in the fresh air and amazing views.  If you’re not in the area, contact me to schedule your fall 2012 meeting at Stanford Sierra and enjoy the serenity and beauty of Fallen Leaf Lake firsthand.

What filling would you choose?

A few of the fresh omelet fillings

If the choice of ingredients is too overwhelming, you can select one of nine omelets in the SSC Pro Sieries

The SSC Pro Series

On the final omelet day of the summer, I went for the Big MacOmelet.  It tasted just like a Big Mac!  (not that I’ve eaten one recently, but from distant memories…..)

If you would like to add omelet bar to your breakfast in the spring or fall conference season, just ask.  I’m sure our trio of chefs would be happy to take a break from their regular day jobs, break out the chalkboard and cook up a few eggs with stuff.  Start choosing your ingredients now!

Our amazing trio of omelet chefs - Brian, Jan and Morgan

Fall colors outside the main lodge

For our top of the line, A plan dinners, guests choose from three entrees, a meat, seafood and a vegetarian option.  Chef Dave and his staff will prepare New Zealand lamb chops with pinot noir and thyme jus lie with roasted garlic mashed potatoes and braised green beans with pancetta.  This hearty dish will pair wonderfully with a cabernet sauvignon from either Charles Krug Winery or Silverado Vineyards.  The seafood choice might be grilled  loin of ahi tuna drizzled with red chili vinaigrette and gingered sweet potatoes and for a vegetarian choice, a cabernet infused risotto with trumpet mushrooms and aged parmesan.  Both of these entrees would pair wonderfully with an earthy pinot noir from either Robert Mondavi Wines or MacMurray Ranch from the Sonoma Coast or if you prefer white wine, try either the Wente Vineyards Riva Ranch chardonnay or the J. Lohr Estates Riverstone chardonnay. Be sure to save room for dessert, our Swiss pastry chef, Kurt, creates the most amazing treats including chocolate truffle overdose, or fresh fruit is always a dessert option.

Kurt making tasty treats in the bakery

During the fall expect seasonal soups to accompany your meal such as roasted acorn squash or vegetarian carrot ginger.  For our mid-priced B dinner entrees, a few of Dave’s specialties include baked, stuffed chicken breast with risotto Milanese and fresh vegetables or a vegetarian choice of eggplant parmesan with fresh mozzarella and marinara.

C meal plan dinners are buffet service and include entree options such as grilled rock cod with herbs and lemon or baked chicken cordon bleu with herbed potatoes, fresh vegetables or spanakopita as a vegetarian entree choice.

Chef Dave creates menus in advance that we forward to the coordinator for each group.  Dave is willing to modify the menus to suit the tastes and needs of the group.

Cory whipping up a latte in the fountain

We keep an eye out for applicants with job experience that might come in handy during the season.  For a few conferences in the fall, we will offer kids’ groups, so we will be looking for applicants who have run or supervised children’s programs.

Captain Brittany keeping her young crew happy

Many groups also enjoy yoga classes, so it’s always nice to have a yoga instructor or two, as we did in the spring with Caroline and Melissa, on staff.

Melissa teaching yoga in the Cathedral room

Staff live on site and are assigned to cabins.  If you love the outdoors, Fallen Leaf Lake is a great place to be in the fall.  During free time you can hike into Desolation Wilderness, take a boat out from the boat dock or just relax.

Luna and Molly on the paddle boards fall '10

If all this sounds appealing, fill out an application and submit.  Brian will be in touch!

Brian McClintock, conference staff director

The Stanford room

The Stanford room is our lobby area and is a cozy spot to relax and read in the morning with a cup of coffee or in between meetings.  Coffee, tea, decaf and whole fruit are available in the Stanford room from 6am – 10pm daily.

Incense Cedar D

Incense Cedar D is a two-bedroom cabin in the Hills area.  All the two bedroom cabins in the Hills and Lakes have the same layout and decor.  This bedroom has one queen bed.

Incense Cedar D second bedroom

The second bedroom in all of the Lakes and Hills cabins has two twin beds.  All cabins have decks overlooking Fallen Leaf Lake.

The Angora Room

The Angora room is located on the first floor of the main lodge and is just under 2,000 square feet.  Windows along one wall provide natural light and filtered views of the lake.  There is a ceiling mounted projector and large screen in the front of the room for presentations.