If you are planning a retreat, there are several things to keep in mind to ensure that the experience meets expectations. Retreats can be challenging to organize, and there are many details to work out in advance. However, with a little planning and support, your next retreat can be amazing for you and your group.
5 Tips for Planning a Successful Retreat
1. Plan Ahead
There is nothing worse than planning something last minute. Trying to get things right without giving enough lead time to properly plan an event can only lead to disaster unless you are lucky. Most people don’t have that kind of luck, so planning is imperative to having a successful retreat.
Give you and your team at least six months' notice so that everyone can be on the same page and adjust their calendars. The longer the retreat, the earlier you should begin announcing and planning. Avoid holidays and summertime, as there will likely be fewer scheduling conflicts, especially for those with families.
If there are any speakers that you would like to bring on, it is best to get them on the schedule as early as possible. Many speakers rely on speaking engagements to make a living, so they are constantly trying to fill their schedules. Get them on board as soon as you decide who would make the most sense for your event so that you do not lose them due to scheduling conflicts with other events.
2. Build a Team
This is especially important if you are hosting a more complex retreat. Having a solid team that can split the responsibilities of organizing and planning an event is priceless. Getting buy-in from volunteers who believe in the mission of your retreat can go a long way. Retreats can be extremely time-consuming as there are many facets to consider.
At the very least, it would be a great idea to have help with marketing, fundraising, and planning day-to-day events for the retreat. While it can be done with an army of one, the stress of dealing with all the many facets of retreat planning can be a heavy burden to bear. Find people that are good at things you are not that you can rely on, and your retreat will be set up for success.
3. Come Up with a Theme
No organized retreat should leave you empty-handed; otherwise, it is just a vacation. Coming up with a theme is imperative as it weaves a common thread throughout the retreat. Themes should be well thought out and relatable to the group.
For example, if you are hosting a church retreat, you could theme your retreat around a bible verse, or a concept that your group believes is important. Planning a corporate gathering? Focus on building company culture.
4. Build a Well Balanced Structure
Regardless of how long the retreat you are hosting lasts, it is important to have a balanced schedule. The structure is huge when it comes to bringing people together and allows for a lot of freedom due to not having to worry about what is going to happen next.
For most retreats, there is no reason to have more than two large group meetings a day. Between that, there should be plenty of time for breakout sessions, activities, and time to come together and hang out. People go on retreats to relax and learn and not to work, so it is important to respect your guests and their time.
5. Provide Long Lasting Value
Finally, retreats should not be something that a guest walks away from with little to no value. A retreat should be life-changing, even if the changes are small. More often than not, your guests are looking for a time to refocus their energy on things that matter to them.
The many pieces to the puzzle of planning a retreat should lead to individual and collective growth, and when you plan with those things in mind, you, too, can host an amazing retreat.
If you are looking for an amazing venue for your next retreat, Camp Tekoa is a perfect choice. Located in Hendersonville, North Carolina, Camp Tekoa offers everything you could ever need for your next retreat.