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Tips for Planning a Retreat |
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What kind of retreat are you planning?
- Recruit people for a "Planning Committee" to plan the retreat.
- Assign one person from the committee to serve as the contact person or Group Leader for communications between the committee and Camp Hebron. (This keeps communications clear and simple)
- Decide on the days and length of the retreat: weekend or mid-week, number of nights.
- Decide on the type of lodging. (Motel Style, Cabins, Shelters, or Campground)
- Call the Reservationist for availability, rates and package plans.
What is the goal of the retreat?
- Decide what you want the group to come away from the retreat with; team building, in-service training, stronger marriage, better communication between you and God, how to create teen leaders, a time of fellowship and fun, etc.
- Decide on guest speaker(s) and make those arrangements.
- Prepare the agenda - number of meetings or sessions, activities, meals, snacks, free time, etc.
Get the word out there...
- Use your church bulletin or staff newsletter to start out your advertising with little teasers about the retreat. For example:
- Woman's Retreat - maybe they like making crafts, so promote this one week, then something else fun about the retreat in the bulletin the next week.
- Youth Retreat - it must be fun for the youth, so maybe promote the planned activities the first week and then the goals the next.
- Men's Retreat - personal invitations as well as church bulletins.
- Flyers or invitations to hand out or mail to family, friends, or staff.
- Include recreation activity options available at Camp Hebron in your advertising (Trail rides, gift shop, etc.)
- However you decide to market the retreat, remember to entice the group so that they will want to sign up.
- It is very important to give a deadline for your group to sign up (you might even require a non-refundable deposit to avoid last minute cancellations and/or charge and additional fee for late sign ups).
- Include a space on your sign up sheet for the requested recreation activities. (Horse drawn hay ride, climbing wall, challenge course, etc.)
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