Planning Retreats
The term retreat usually refers to an environment which is more serene than one’s usual environment. Usually retreats take off the pressures of life and help focus on something else, a retreat can be taken to focus on spirituality, health, personal development, social concerns, etc.
Tip 1 – Why you should have a retreat Ask yourself some pertinent questions like “Who is this retreat for?” or “What are their interests, needs, and wants?” Make sure that what is being offered in the retreat will hold everyone’s interest. Don’t assume that since it is interesting to you that it will be to everyone else. Ask people in the congregation/fellowship what their interests are. Get a feel for what is needed by everyone.
Tip 2 – Choose the right facility Find out from potential participants in the retreat what type of facilities that they are expecting. Several questions to ask are the following:
What kind of accommodations do we want — dorm rooms, motel type, or “rustic” cabins with no plumbing or heat?
Do we want to cook for ourselves or have the meals provided? If we do our own cooking, is there an extra charge?
Do we want bathrooms in the cabins or are outside shower houses okay?
Do we want “roast beef” or a “tuna surprise”? In other words are we particular about the quality of the evening meal?
How much money do we want to spend, and more importantly, what is the group as a whole willing to spend?
Tip 3 – Plan a program that will hold everyone’s interest Plan a program inclusive of entertainment, musicians, and speakers. Make sure what you are planning fills interests and wants of the people that will be in attendance.
Tip 4 – Money Matters Make sure that you have a sound budget for all this before presenting it to the board for approval.
Tip 5 – Promote, promote, promote Start advertising the retreat 3-4 months before hand. Have flyers printed for hand outs and make sure they are in the foyer every time there is a service.
The Franciscan Retreat Centers at Old Mission San Luis Rey offers a place for solitude, healing, and revitalization with a wide variety of spiritual and educational programs. Create your private day away (Quiet Days), join us for a half day or evening session (Twilight Retreats) or treat yourself, or a loved one, to a complete weekend of spirituality and sacred space.
The Retreat Center is also for individuals who would like private time for solitude and spiritual renewal.
The facilities are available to religious and educational groups, non-profit organizations, civic organizations, companies and corporations. We do, however, reserve the right to refuse the use of our facilities to anyone whose philosophies diametrically oppose our mission and purpose.
For more information on Spiritual retreats or any kind of San Diego retreats visit Old Mission San Luis Rey.