Planning a church retreat: worship, fellowship and the outdoors

A church retreat is a chance to step away from the busyness of ordinary life and spend time together: in worship, in conversation, in small groups and around the table. Wilderness Adventure in Virginia's Blue Ridge has hosted church groups for years. Here's how to plan one that leaves people refreshed.

Decide what the retreat is for

Is it a youth group weekend with lots of energy to burn? A quiet retreat for prayer and reflection? A leadership team planning the year ahead? A whole-congregation family weekend? The answer shapes everything else: the schedule, the activities, the rooms and even the meals.

Space for worship and small groups

The property has spaces for every part of a retreat:

• The main dining room seats up to 75 for worship, teaching or a full-group session.
• The open-air pavilion holds around 100 for outdoor worship, covered from the rain.
• Three break-out rooms for small groups of 10 to 20.
• The gazebo by the pond seats 15, a peaceful spot for a small group or quiet time.

And there are quiet corners everywhere: a trail bench, the porch, the creek bank.

Meals that bring everyone to one table

Sharing a meal is central to church life. Groups of eight or more get freshly prepared, home-style buffets: a hot breakfast, lunch with salads and sides, and dinner with dessert, with vegetarian options. Let us know about allergies and dietary needs at least two weeks before you arrive.

Activities that build community

Shared challenges help people get to know each other in new ways. Youth groups love the high ropes course, the Giant Swing, caving and creek tubing. Adult groups often prefer guided hikes, canoeing and team-building games. Our instructors run the guided activities, so your leaders can join in rather than supervise.

Unplug on purpose

Cell reception here is very limited, and there's no high-speed internet. For a church retreat that's a gift: fewer distractions, more conversation, and nights by the fire pit instead of on phones. Let families know in advance how to reach the office in an emergency.

Choosing a theme

A clear theme ties a retreat together. Pick one idea, such as rest, renewal, service or a book of the Bible, and let the talks, small group questions and quiet times build on it. A theme also helps you decide what to leave out: not every session needs to fit, but the weekend should feel like it's going somewhere.

Room for prayer and reflection

Build in time for people to be alone with their thoughts. Give everyone a short reading or question and send them out for half an hour: to the gazebo by the pond, a bench on the trail, the porch of the Main Lodge or the banks of Craig Creek. The Bluff trail on the property has views over the Blue Ridge that are worth the walk. Then bring everyone back together to share.

Tips for youth group retreats

• Plan for energy. An active afternoon (the Giant Swing, ropes courses or creek tubing) makes for a much calmer evening session.
• Give each lodge a leader. Assign adult leaders to rooms before you arrive, so bedtime isn't a negotiation.
• Talk about phones in advance. With very limited cell service, it's a natural chance to unplug. Let parents know how to reach the office in an emergency.
• Check weight limits. Most adventure activities need participants to be between 50 and 250 pounds.
• Send a packing list. Water-resistant layers, comfortable shoes, and a flashlight for the walk back from the fire.

Keeping the cost down

Church budgets are tight, so plan ahead. Discounted rates apply from January to March, and group bookings use a 30% deposit with a payment plan, which makes it easier to collect payments from families over time. Mixing lodge rooms with camping can also bring the cost per person down.

A sample weekend

• Friday: arrive, settle in, dinner together, an evening session and a bonfire.
• Saturday: morning worship, small groups, lunch, an afternoon of activities, dinner and an evening of worship or a talent night.
• Sunday: a sunrise service by the pond, brunch, a closing session and time to say goodbye.

Common questions

Will our group have the property to ourselves?

Groups that book exclusive use will be on their own. Otherwise other groups may be on site, so ask your coordinator.

Is the property accessible?

Sly Lodge, the bathhouse, the gazebo and the pavilion are wheelchair accessible.

Can we do our own program?

Yes. We can adapt our level of involvement: run your own program and use our spaces, or hand the activities and meals to us.

Booking

Every group of eight or more is assigned a host, and at least one staff member is on duty day and night. Call 540-864-6792 or send an inquiry with your dates and numbers, and a coordinator will put together a proposal. Practical questions are answered on our group retreat FAQs.