Retreat Planning Tips

Bring a video camera and have one or two persons designated to be the event historian. Fun to review later and great for building attendance at the next event.
Have everyone who has a video camera bring it and do participant interviews around a theme.
Meeting room arrangements can be so important to the success of your sessions, so don't wait until the last minute to think about how to set up the room. Bring your own large pillows or "spirit blankets" and be sure to send the retreat center a sketch of how you want the tables and chairs placed in relation to the speaker.
Need special audio-visual equipment? Need a flip-chart and then tape to display the sheets you have completed? Let us know a few days ahead of time and we will have everything ready when you arrive.
When making up your sign-up sheet for your event, do not forget to ask questions about special diets. With the exception of extreme dietary requirements, Koinonia is able to satisfy most of our guest needs. For those we cannot meet, we will work with the guest in storing and preparing the special food the guest brings with them.
When thinking about your event, make a list of all of the participants' special skills and see how you can work their unique talents into your program. Remember, the more your attendees contribute, the greater the "buy-in" not only by that person but by others who know them or identify with them.
It is not unusual to find one or two members of your group very hard to satisfy. The best way to deal with them is to put them in charge of something. This brings them in from the fringe and gives ownership to the middle.
Sometimes you want to do something really special that is not available on the Koinonia property. Ask! We can arrange tours of Earthways Farm, or the Pioneer Village, or golf on one of four nearby courses, or even the challenge of a ropes course. Remember, if you can think it, in all likelihood we can arrange it.
Customized event tee-shirt and sweatshirts can be ordered. Prices range from $10 to $30.

When advertising your event, remember to include several "hooks". Advertise a range of activities that engage the diverse interests of your target audience and will motivate them to attend.
Planning a retreat can feel overwhelming. Often it is because we try to do too much ourselves. Thinking back to the last event we can recall those persons who really got into one phase of activity or another. Call them up and ask them to head up that part of your week or weekend. You will be amazed at the enthusiastic responses you get.
Don't let the setting of the sun keep you indoors or sedentary. Hiking trails by the moonlight or a brisk game of flashlight tag can be great fun.
Exclusive use of the retreat center is more uncommon than common. You may want to ask what other groups will be there and contact the other group leaders about joint activities.
Do you need extra privacy? We frequently host survivors groups, recovery groups, and special spirituality workshops. Discuss your plans with us and we will do everything in our power to provide for your special needs group.