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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.
- 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, Cottages, Shelters, or Campground)
Suggestions:
- Women's Retreat - motel-style (Sylvan View or Hillside Villa)
- Men's Retreat - any facility depending on personal preference
- Married Couple's Retreat - motel-style (Sylvan View or Hillside Villa)
- Youth Group - any facility (cabins, shelters, or campground are less costly and typically preferred)
- Family Reunion - any facility (depends on family size and personal preferences)
- Assign only one (1) person from the committee to serve as the contact person or Group Leader for communications between the committee and Camp Hebron.
- Call the Reservationist for availability, rates and package plans. (See Steps to Making Your Reservation)
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 encourage teen leaders, a time of fellowship and fun, etc.)
- Decide whether or not you would like to have a guest speaker and make those arrangements. Tipically this should be done 6 months to a year in advance.
- Prepare the agenda - number of meetings or sessions, activities, meals, snacks, free time, etc.
- Commit to pray individually and corporately for the upcoming event.
- Let Camp Hebron know of your goals so we can pray with you.
Get the word out there. Be creative and informative.
- 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 work best - then follow up with an announcement and a note in the church bulletin or newsletter.
- Create posters, flyers or invitations to hand out or mail/email to family and friends.
- Be sure to 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 and not miss your event.
- It is very important to set a deadline for your group to sign up (preferably 6-7 weeks prior to the event) in order to have the information for your last report one month prior to your event. Many have found it helpful to require a non-refundable deposit from each person to avoid last minute cancellations. Another option is to give an early-bird discount for those who sign up by a specific date.
- Include individual names, addresses and phone numbers. Camp Hebron will be requiring that information on a Guest Group Roster that will be sent to you with your one-month report.
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