While there is always time for individual prayer, there is also time for group sharing in which participants are encouraged, consoled, or inspired by the thoughts and experiences of others. For some people, a longer retreat—a weekend, or a week—may fit their needs.
Others might be drawn to a directed retreat in which there is more solitude and a daily individual meeting with a spiritual director. Being alone and being quiet can be unappealing or even scary for many in our fast-paced driven culture, yet despite our fear or discomfort with silence, our spirits NEED quiet.
Many years ago, Alvin Toffler, in his book Future Shock , concluded that humans could not keep up with the rapid accelerating pace of change. We need time to ponder, to realize, to learn, to listen to our deeper, truer self. When something stirs you to think about making a retreat, you can pretty much count on the fact that God is inviting you to come aside and receive the grace, guidance, refreshment that God wishes for you, that you NEED at this point in your life.
This is such a powerful exercise because it offers my people a chance to make a visual representation of what they discovered about themselves the day before — and make that vision more concrete. I collect a series of magazines and bring those to my retreat location, along with glue sticks, scissors and pieces of paper or poster board. I then lead people through a basic movement process to get in their bodies , followed by 15 minutes of breath-work to drop their energy down into their core.
Then, I have them make a collage that represents the transformation they experienced on their Vision Walk! Brightly colored images, words of courage, and compelling images are all fair game. Anything that inspires and moves them …. This is always a popular activity, as mindset really is the biggest obstacle people face. When people see with their own eyes what they are claiming for themselves next, they are more likely to adopt and embody it post-retreat.
Talk about a win for everyone! These are just a few examples of powerful activities you can lead on your next retreat. The sky really is the limit … so think big, wanderlusters! Just in case you are looking for an excellent step-by-step checklist for your retreat planning, we have a 5-page comprehensive list that is simply life-saving! You can get all the details here. As a self-proclaimed retreat-junkie, Melanie knows firsthand the power and transformation of traveling with a group of like-minded people who are ready to dive deep into themselves.
Melanie has planned, co-facilitated and attended dozens of retreats all over the world and is beyond excited to help other retreat enthusiasts do the same. Your email address will not be published. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed. This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible.
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If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again. Download Now! There should be coffee, water, soft drinks and snacks available during the meeting. Equipment needs can range from the simple — a flip chart and markers, to the more sophisticated with computer projectors and automated decision systems.
Keep it as simple as possible. Technology should not get in the way of discussion and human interaction. The room should have good HVAC and controls. Make sure the windows have shades or blinds to control lighting and glare, and to minimize any distractions caused by the view. Appendix A - Retreat Planning Checklist. What is the purpose of this retreat? What criteria will you use to determine that the retreat was successful?
Who needs to attend the retreat? Who supports the idea of holding a retreat? Who is opposed to the idea? Will all the key participants be able to attend? How much time will they be willing to spend at the retreat?
Where will the retreat be held? Are the rules governing the use of the space acceptable? Can the room be arranged as we want it? Are the chairs comfortable? Is there good control over lighting and HVAC?
Can we have food, snacks, and refreshments in the room? Who will provide food, snacks, and refreshments? Can we hang flip chart paper on the walls? How will breaks and meals be handled? Will overnight accommodations be needed? What equipment will be needed?
Who will provide it? Who will operate it? Do we need an outside facilitator? Who will do it? How much experience does the facilitator have with groups like ours?
Do we want to record the meeting? What kind of a retreat report we need? Appendix B — Developing the Budget. Meeting space rental. It is often possible to find meeting space at no cost. Equipment rental. For most retreats, equipment needs are minimal. In some cases the facilitator will provide their own equipment at no additional charge to you. Generally this involves only pens, pencils, and markers. Breaks and Meals. Facilitator fee. Participant travel, room and board.
Appendix C - Keys to a Successful Retreat. Good retreats, like any successful meetings, are no accident. They are carefully planned in great detail. Use an experienced, skilled, facilitator.
Meet with the facilitator well in advance of the meeting to discuss the purpose and plan the agenda. Clearly communicate the purpose of the retreat to the participants. Make sure the room layout and setup is conducive to group discussion.
Make sure you have the equipment you will need, that it works, and that someone knows how to set it up and operate it. Have plenty of coffee, water, and soft drinks available.
Snacks are a nice touch and help the participants keep their energy levels up throughout the session. Make sure everyone knows the ground rules.
Keep the ground rules simple. Clearly explain any group techniques, processes, and decision making tools you plan to use. Use worksheets to facilitate group processes where possible. Provide participants with background material and briefing papers prior to the retreat. Bring extras copies to the retreat.
Provide pen and paper for each participant. Make sure you have a flip chart easel that is stable, along with plenty of flip chart paper and markers. If you must record the discussion, arrange for a staff member to operate and monitor the recording equipment. Make sure you are in compliance with the FOIA.
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