Employee Appreciation Day Activities

ACTIVITIES WILL CONTINUE TO BE ADDED AS THEY ARE CONFIRMED!

Some activities require pre-registration through MyMadison. Employees that are not registered for an activity cannot participate as materials, seating, etc. are limited. Please do not attend an activity for which you have not registered.

Activities that DO NOT require registration are listed as "No Registration Required."

Registration will open at Tuesday, April 30th.

Instructions for Registering can be found here.

Maps to Activities

The table below is best viewed at horizontal orientation on your device.

Find a Fun Activity

Fun Activities
Description	Time	Location	Registration
Do you like art and relaxing? If so, Art Therapy is for you! Art Therapy helps us to relax and de-stress using art. In this session, we will be doing Neurological Art which is made up of lines and doodles. Neurological Art is for every skill level, no experience required. Come to Art Therapy to unleash your inner artist!	9:00a– 10:00a	Festival Upper Level Conf Rm 2	Register Now
Do you like art and relaxing? If so, Art Therapy is for you! Art Therapy helps us to relax and de-stress using art. In this session, we will be doing Neurological Art which is made up of lines and doodles. Neurological Art is for every skill level, no experience required. Come to Art Therapy to unleash your inner artist!	2:30p– 3:30p	Festival Upper Level Conf Rm 2	Register Now
Join in for an hour of exciting BINGO games with a chance to win great prizes from local businesses and JMU Affiliates.	9:00a- 10:00a	Festival Lower Level Highlands Room	Register Now
Join in for an hour of exciting BINGO games with a chance to win great prizes from local businesses and JMU Affiliates.	10:30a- 11:30a	Festival Lower Level Highlands Room	Register Now
Join in for an hour of exciting BINGO games with a chance to win great prizes from local businesses and JMU Affiliates.	1:00p- 2:00p	Festival Lower Level Highlands Room	Register Now
Join in for an hour of exciting BINGO games with a chance to win great prizes from local businesses and JMU Affiliates.	2:30p– 3:30p	Festival Lower Level Highlands Room	Register Now
Join in for an hour of exciting BINGO games with a chance to win great prizes from local businesses and JMU Affiliates.	8:00p- 9:00p	Taylor Hall Taylor Down Under	No Registration Required
Sit a spell and wet a line! Employee must have a valid VA fishing license.	12:00p- 3:30p	Newman Lake	No Registration Required
Are you looking for an easy, fun way to upgrade your 'do with the latest hair trend taking over social media? Stop by and let Slay with M.Rae's Morgan Leap tinsel your hair!	10:30a- 1:00p	Festival Lawn	No Registration Required
"Hello", "Jolene"? Do you just want to "Let It Go'" and be a "Freebird" just "Livin' on a Prayer" in a "Love Shack, Baby"? Do you have "Friends in Low Places" in "Margaritaville"? Well, "Don't Stop Believin'" and join in for karaoke in the Drum! Solos, duets, and groups..there's room for all. Hosted by Rocked by RedBeard.	11:00a- 2:00p	Lower Festival (Drum)	No Registration Required
Container gardens aren't just for flowers anymore! While they can be purely decorative and ornamental, they are also used for produce gardens and for architectural purposes. Join us as we learn about these topics, as well as plants, flowers, vegetables, and herbs most prevalent in our area and discover the most environmentally and cost-efficient ways of creating our own. A "make and take" container garden will be part of this workshop! Facilitated by: Charlie Lucas, Asst Director Environmental Services and Robert Jones, Flower Culture, JMU Facilities Management.	10:30a- 11:15a	USB Annex Room 1051	Register Now
Open-air Photo Booth from Ward Photography offers tons of great features and options like stills + GIF images, awesome image quality, unlimited instant prints and social media sharing. Drop by before or after lunch and get silly with purple and gold props!	11:00a- 2:00p	Upper Festival Allegheny Room	No Registration Required
Open court dedicated for pickleball! BYOO (Bring Your Own Opponent)	12:00p- 3:30p	UREC Sports Forum 1	No Registration Required
Is your fiddleleaf being dramatic? Did you start too many seeds for your garden? Do you have too much plant stuff? Did you buy too many bulbs when they were on sale at Aldi? Join members of JMU’s faculty/staff club, The Green Thumb Society, to “talk shop.” We’ll get to know each other and trade secrets. Both long-time plant enthusiasts and plant newbies welcome! Bring something to swap and share: houseplants, annuals, perennials, bulbs, seeds, cuttings, garden extras, pots, tools, etc. Please make sure all plants are healthy and any tools, etc. are in good working condition.	3:00p- 4:00p	EJC Arboretum Tree Terrance	No Registration Required
It's all fun, all the time at Taylor Down Under this Employee Appreciation Day. Whether you want to play pool with a friend, play darts or foosball, sit down for a board game with a co-worker, or just relax in a comfy chair, everything TDU has to offer will be available.	9:00a– 10:00p	Taylor Down Under	No Registration Required
The Edith J. Carrier Arboretum, a woodland sanctuary, on the James Madison University campus, is a public, urban garden and forested greenspace that preserves native species, provides opportunities for research, and promotes knowledge of the botanical and natural world for people of all races, religions, orientations, identities, ages, and abilities. Grab a walking buddy and check it out!	All-Day	EJC Arboretum	No Registration Required
Need a dose of dog therapy? Dogs from the local chapter of Therapy Dogs International and Alliance of Therapy Dogs will be walking around Festival Lawn, providing unconditional love. Therapy dogs are trained to be gentle and friendly and to accept strangers hugging or petting them. They are patient and unbothered. Their sweet demeanors and unconditional love may have a therapeutic benefit to those who face difficult health challenges. Unlike service dogs, however, anyone can enjoy a therapy dog. Festival Lawn Lenny McDorman (JMU Retiree) with Lacey & Maggie Karen Lilly (JMU Employee) with Tucker EJC Arboretum Lawn Sydney Conley (JMU Biology student) with Goose	11:30a– 1:30p	Festival Lawn and EJC Arboretum Lawn	No Registration Required
UNWIND Meet-Up (open session) Come make new crafty friends. Bring your project bag and come stitch with us! Or stay and finish your project from the prior session. No instruction planned, just social time.	2:00p- 4:00p	Festival Lower Level Conf Room 7	No Registration Required

See a Movie

Movies
Session Name	Description	Time	Location	Registration
	Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom Movie Trailer	First Showing: 9:00a- 11:00a Second Showing: 3:30p- 5:30p	Grafton-Stovall Theater	No Registration Required
	Wonka Movie Trailer	First Showing: 1:00p– 3:00p Second Showing: 8:00p– 10:00p	First Showing: Grafton-Stovall Theater Second Showing: Bridgeforth Stadium (Gate B)	No Registration Required

Learn Something New

Learn Something New
Description	Time	Location	Registration
Daniel Benoit, founder and wildlife researcher at the East Coast Bigfoot Research Organization, spends his free time in the wilderness of Virginia scouting for undisputable evidence of the existence of sasquatch. He documents his discoveries on his research blog and shares them at the annual local event that he founded, ECRBO Virginia Bigfoot Conference. Join him as he presents his experiences in a compelling visual presentation.	10:30a - 11:15a	Festival Lower Level Conf Room 7	Register Now
Bee Campus USA fosters ongoing dialogue to raise awareness of the role pollinators play in our communities and what each of us can do to provide them with healthy habitat. The Bee Campus USA program endorses a set of commitments, defined in an application, for creating sustainable habitats for pollinators, which are vital to feeding the planet. Tour is an outdoors walking tour. Participants should expect stairs, small hills, and walking in grass. Please wear appropriate clothing and shoes. Meet Dr. Teel at the Festival Patio near the glass doors of the Highlands Room. About Bee Campus USA	9:30a- 11:00a	East Campus Meadows	Register Now
Join us for a hands on cookie decorating class. Follow along with Jessica of The Cookie Pallette as she instructs you step by step on how to pipe some of the most iconic JMU logos. All cookies and decorating supplies will be provided and participants will make and take three of their very own cookie creations home!	1:30p - 2:30p	Festival Upper Level Conf Room 3	Register Now
Join Professional Organizer, Morgan Paixao of Humble Home Organizing to learn how to end the cycle of clutter once and for all! In this workshop, you'll learn why clutter accumulates and continues to come back, despite purge after purge.	9:00a- 10:00a	Festival Lower Level Conf Room 7	Register Now
The JMU Edible Forest Garden (EFG) Project began in 2020 as an effort to beautify, diversify, and restore part of the campus landscape. The JMU EFG works to advance the mission of the university by offering unique and innovative educational and service-learning opportunities for students, alumni, staff, faculty, and community members. A central focus of the EFG is to enhance awareness of sustainable food production and whole food nutrition. Tour is an outdoors walking tour. Participants should expect stairs, small hills, and walking in grass. Please wear appropriate clothing and shoes. Meet Dr. Schmitt-Harsh at the Festival Pation near the glass doors of the Highlands Room.	9:00a- 10:30a	East Campus Meadow	Register Now
Discover some of the places, programs, and people involved in incorporating sustainability and environmental literacy into teaching, research, operations, and outreach at JMU. Follow the link for a self-guided interactive guide! jmu.edu/stewardship/tour/	8:00a- 3:00p	Campus-Wide	No Registration Required
New to native plants or need help planning your native garden? Join Ivy of Urban Natives & Landscaping for a discussion on why native plants are important, what to look for, and the best practices to encourage a healthy, thriving garden!	1:00p- 2:00p	EJC Arboretum Pavilion	Register Now
Learn the essentials of improvised comedy and how we can apply lessons from the stage to our everyday lives. No experience necessary.	9:00a- 10:00a	Taylor Hall Room 306	Register Now
Learn the essentials of improvised comedy and how we can apply lessons from the stage to our everyday lives. No experience necessary.	1:30p- 2:30p	Taylor Hall Room 306	Register Now
Invite soul-filled and freedom-centered conversations with your intuition, each other, and creativity through guided breath and movement practices. Led by Embodiment & Mindfulness Guide Dancer (she/them), you will begin with a relaxing and grounding meditation, move through a connective embodiment practice, and end with a vocal and copper sound bath. Wear comfy clothes to move in and water to stay hydrated. All relaxation props are provided.	10:15a- 11:15a		Register Now
Invite soul-filled and freedom-centered conversations with your intuition, each other, and creativity through guided breath and movement practices. Led by Embodiment & Mindfulness Guide Dancer (she/them), you will begin with a relaxing and grounding meditation, move through a connective embodiment practice, and end with a vocal and copper sound bath. Wear comfy clothes to move in and water to stay hydrated. All relaxation props are provided.	2:45p- 3:45p		Register Now
Have you ever wanted to explore bonsai as a hobby or are just curious about the art? Bonsai represent the idea of a perfect balance between nature and art. As bonsai trees are kept small through very careful pruning, they also represent a life-long commitment of patience and dedication to a task. Talk hosted by Clark Driver, JMU Engineering Project Manager and founder of the Shenandoah Valley Bonsai Society.	1:30p- 2:30p	EJC Arboretum Tree Terrace	Register Now
Would you like to learn how to do henna tattoos? Come and hear a brief history of henna, how to apply henna, and receive a henna tattoo! SKS Artworks	1:00p- 2:00p	Festival Upper Level Conf Room 2	Register Now
ZNKR Seitei-gata Iaido is a modern martial art form of Japanese fencing that involves the practice of solo sword kata using an iaito (zinc-duraluminum alloy practice sword) or bokuto (wooden sword). The focus is on drawing from the sheath and striking/cutting with the sword. There are 12 iai kata that are taught as the curriculum. Iaido training develops focus, awareness, discipline and attention to detail. Hosted by Staunton & Harrisonburg Kendo, Iaido, and Jodo	9:00a- 10:00a	UREC Group Exercise Studio 2	Register Now
ZNKR Seitei Jodo is a modern martial art form of Japanese staff fighting. It consists of learning 12 basic techniques solo followed by the learning the same techniques but paired. These are then followed by learning the 12 paired forms. The focus is on defending oneself with the staff from attacks with the sword. Jodo training develops relaxation, awareness, concentration and discipline. Hosted by Staunton & Harrisonburg Kendo, Iaido, and Jodo	10:45a- 11:45a	UREC Group Exercise Studio 2	Register Now
ZNKR Kendo is a modern martial art form of Japanese fencing. It comes from the sword arts of ancient Japan, and is the modern incarnation of a centuries-long evolution. Kendo is made up of 2 parts, kata (fixed paired patterns of techniques) and keiko (sparring in armor). We use two types of swords: a bokken (wooden sword) for kata and a shinai (bamboo sword) for sparring. Kendo is more than just learning to fence with a sword, it is also about proper discipline and spirit. Hosted by Staunton & Harrisonburg Kendo, Iaido, and Jodo	1:30p- 2:30p	UREC Group Exercise Studio 2	Register Now
How to Sessions with Unwind the Faculty & Staff Knit, Crochet, Craft Club. Supplies provided by the Makery. Take home your project or the yarn to finish it. Project: Cup cozy Skills: Create chain, learn to turn, single and double crochet	1:00p- 2:00p	Festival Lower Level Conf Room 7	Register Now
How to Sessions with Unwind the Faculty & Staff Knit, Crochet, Craft Club. Supplies provided by the Makery. Take home your project or the yarn to finish it. Project: Makeup wipe and/or small washcloth/dishcloth Skills: Easy cast-on, knit/garter stitch, easy bind-off	1:00p- 2:00p	Festival Lower Level Conf Room 7	Register Now
What will you make today? Discover what The Makery has to offer and explore your creativity with hands-on learning and demonstrations. We have Button Makers, Vinyl cutters, 3D printing, a Glowforge Laser, 3D printers, sewing/ Embroidery/quilting machines along with many other exciting offerings. Meet at the Makery desk.	9:30a- 11:00a	Rose Library	Register Now
If you love kayaking, paddleboarding, floating, or just the idea of getting in the water, this is the group for you! From beginners to experts, the JMU Water Floaters will explore the water ways of the valley in tubes, kayaks, paddleboards, or anything that will keep you afloat for several hours. During this time, current members have the opportunity to fellowship and potential members will have the opportunity to find out more information.	10:30a- 11:30a	Festival Upper Level Conf Room 2	Register Now
From drones to iphones, find and take amazing nature photography with Nate Shaw.	2:15p– 3:15p	EJC Arboretum Pavilion	Register Now
Tour the new state of the art College of Business buildings, the new Hartman Hall and Renovated Showker Hall. Meet Erica Kann at "Zane" Duke Dog statue in the Hartman Hall Lobby.	2:00p– 3:00p	College of Business	Register Now
Take a behind the scenes tour of one of the newest facilities on campus, The Atlantic Union Bank Center. Meet Curtis Stoneberger at the Plaza Entrance. About the Atlantic Union Bank Center	2:00p– 3:00p	AUBC	Register Now
The Convocation Center was recently renovated to provide an Intercollegiate Athletic hub for the university. This behind-the-scenes tour will give you an insight of the facility and the daily life of the student athlete. Meet Ty Phillips in the main lobby.	11:00a- 12:00p	Convocation Center Main Lobby	Register Now
Learn to “farm” indoors or outdoors with worms to produce nutrient rich compost from your kitchen scraps. Learn from Shenandoah Valley Master Gardener, Keala Timko, how to create and maintain your worm composter while saving money, improving the environment, and having fun!	10:30a- 11:30a	EJC Arboretum Tree Terrace	Register Now
Join Shenandoah Valley Master Gardener, Keala Timko, for an insightful stroll during this beautiful time of the year! Meet Keala in front of the Francis Plecker Education Center.	9:00a- 9:45a	EJC Arboretum	Register Now
Join Shenandoah Valley Master Gardener, Keala Timko, for an insightful stroll during this beautiful time of the year! Meet Keala in front of the Francis Plecker Education Center.	2:00p- 2:45p	EJC Arboretum	Register Now

Cornhole

Challenges
Description	Time	Location	Registration
Challenge your coworker to a game on the lawn. Winner buys lunch.	12:00p- 3:30p	Festival Lawn	No Registration Required
Cornhole is back at Festival! Get a partner and compete with other teams to win bragging rights as the best cornhole players on campus! Once you've chosen your partner, please designate one person to register in MyMadison on behalf of your team.	9:30a- 12:00p	Festival Lawn	Register Now
Come check out the disc golf course at University Park! A UREC staff member will be in hand to go over the basic information to get you started with disc golf. We will cover the different flight characteristics of the discs as well as some basic information on technique followed by a casual round on the course. Discs will be provided if you do not have your own.	9:00a– 10:30a	UPARK Disc Golf Course	Register Now
Come in to try your climbing skills at UREC’s climbing wall in the Adventure Center. All equipment will be provided by UREC.	10:00a- 11:00a	UREC Adventure Center	Register Now
Come in to try your climbing skills at UREC’s climbing wall in the Adventure Center. All equipment will be provided by UREC.	1:00p- 2:00p	UREC Adventure Center	Register Now
This event allows you to come to the TEAM Challenge Course see the course in action and experience a section of it including our dual zip lines for yourself!	10:00a- 11:00a	UPARK Challenge Course	Register Now
This event allows you to come to the TEAM Challenge Course see the course in action and experience a section of it including our dual zip lines for yourself!	11:00a- 12:00p	UPARK Challenge Course	Register Now
Come join us on a 5K run through the NEW UPARK trail! The run will begin at UREC and travel through the Arboretum which connects to the UPARK trail. The course will consist of wooded terrain with a steep elevation gain. Advanced beginner to expert skill levels is suggested for this run.	11:00a- 12:00p	UREC Atrium	Register Now
Have you ever wanted to kick a field goal in Bridgeforth Stadium? In addition, you can toss a football with friends on the field, or practice blocking on one of the sleds.	9:00a– 11:00a	Bridgeforth Stadium	No Registration Required
Challenge your coworkers in the first-ever EAD Pickleball Tournament! This will be a doubles tournament but you will sign up as an individual and change partners after each game. Limited to 16 people. Questions contact Rob Morgan morganrm@jmu.edu	9:00a- 12:00a	UREC Sports Forum 1	Register Now
Get some co-workers and put your heads together for EAD's first pub-style team trivia challenge! No special knowledge is required, but you'll want to assemble team members with a variety of interests. A championship trophy awaits the winning team to proudly display in their office space for the year! TEAMS are comprised of up to 8 people and there is a maximum of 8 teams per session. Once you've gathered your players, please designate one person to register in MyMadison on behalf of your team.	10:00a- 12:00p	Taylor Down Under	Register Now
Get some co-workers and put your heads together for EAD's first pub-style team trivia challenge! No special knowledge is required, but you'll want to assemble team members with a variety of interests. A championship trophy awaits the winning team to proudly display in their office space for the year! TEAMS are comprised of up to 8 people and there is a maximum of 8 teams per session. Once you've gathered your players, please designate one person to register in MyMadison on behalf of your team.	1:00p- 3:00p	Taylor Down Under	Register Now
Get some co-workers and put your heads together for EAD's first pub-style team trivia challenge! No special knowledge is required, but you'll want to assemble team members with a variety of interests. A championship trophy awaits the winning team to proudly display in their office space for the year! TEAMS are comprised of up to 8 people and there is a maximum of 8 teams per session. Once you've gathered your players, please designate one person to register in MyMadison on behalf of your team.	3:00p- 5:00p	Taylor Down Under	Register Now
We will start at 11:30 am by doing a group warmup before playing a few matches until 1:00 pm. If more than 12 participants in attendance, there will be rotating rosters to make sure everyone gets court time. No previous experience in volleyball necessary.	11:30a- 1:00p	UPARK	Register Now

Cornhole

Sweat
Description	Time	Location	Registration
Experience the tranquility of nature with our Gentle Yoga on the Lawn at the JMU Arboretum. Perfect for all levels, this class combines soothing stretches, mindful breathing, and calming poses in the serene backdrop of the arboretum. It's an ideal way to reduce stress, improve flexibility, and connect with nature. Surrounded by the peaceful sounds and sights of the outdoors, you'll leave feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. No experience is necessary— just bring a mat, wear comfortable clothes, and embrace the peace of nature.	9:00a- 10:00a	EJC Arboretum Lawn	Register Now
Experience the tranquility of nature with our Gentle Yoga on the Lawn at the JMU Arboretum. Perfect for all levels, this class combines soothing stretches, mindful breathing, and calming poses in the serene backdrop of the arboretum. It's an ideal way to reduce stress, improve flexibility, and connect with nature. Surrounded by the peaceful sounds and sights of the outdoors, you'll leave feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. No experience is necessary— just bring a mat, wear comfortable clothes, and embrace the peace of nature.	10:30a- 11:30a	EJC Arboretum Lawn	Register Now
Spend some time walking, jogging, or running on some of JMU's new loops - Trail Loops, UPARK Loops, On-Campus 5K Route, or EJC Arboretum. Information in the link. View Trail Info	9:00a- 3:30p	Campus-wide	No Registration Required
Come enjoy everything our Aquatics Center has to offer including swimming laps, playing basketball or volleyball, relaxing in the hot tube or decompressing in the sauna!	9:00a- 11:00a	UREC Pool	No Registration Required
Join us in the Group Training Room for a upper body lift followed by a fun workout focused on strength and stamina. All levels welcome!	12:00p- 1:00p	UREC Group Training Room	Register Now