Recharge, Recalibrate, and Reconnect: Big Canoe 2025

Every year, there comes a time in the dead of summer's heat when everyone starts thinking about that sweet, sweet word: vacation. As the PRAXIS3 office collectively felt that awareness, we knew that it was time to pack our bags and head to the secluded woods of Big Canoe, GA. For almost 20 years, PRAXIS3 has held an annual retreat, and this year marked the 10th time we've gathered at this North Georgia location to swim on the beach, explore walking trails, and breathe the fresh mountain air. Our team, restless and now larger than ever, divided its efforts to plan a series of events that were certain to keep the amusement going all weekend long.

The festivities began as any good company retreat should – with a feast! A total of 115 people seated themselves around the Wildcat Pavilion, as has been the tradition of many years before. We savored tacos and sides galore as we welcomed new employees and introduced our families. Stories were shared, laughs were heard, and of course, we had to get a group picture.

Next, the third annual Field Day activities were a chance for us to put our athletic skills to the test!  The most popular game was CrossNet, with up to 15 players rotating in at a given time. Other activities included cheering on the sidelines, throwing Frisbees, or simply relaxing in the breeze and listening to the P3 Summer Playlist! The latter, composed of contributions from the entire company, evokes the impassioned summer feeling that Big Canoe is all about. It is quite the eclectic playlist, and listening is a great way to sample the myriad tastes and expressions of our staff.

The following morning, our water-loving colleagues took to the beautiful Chestatee River in a fleet of kayaks, an annual tradition. The expedition scoured the river, counting turtles and sunny spots aplenty. As is custom, we stopped at a beach midway to make time for rock-skipping, snack-eating, and sightseeing. Our brave explorers even received custom tie-dyed t-shirts, courtesy of our very own Scott Hardin and his wife, Kelli.

Sunday morning is hushed as our team packs their belongings and begins the exodus back to Atlanta. Now, having established a greater sense of camaraderie and enjoying the restful mountain setting, the PRAXIS3 team is more prepared than ever to return to where we excel: providing our clients with the high-quality design services they have come to expect!

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