The words calm and seclusion are present in all three meanings. When selecting a retreat location, keep in mind that you want to take your group of individuals away from the daily grind and put them in a setting where they can unwind and recharge.
You are giving the members of your group or ministry the opportunity to reconnect and form closer bonds by taking them out of their usual environment and placing them in a new setting. You should therefore ensure that the retreat center's setting is ideal for your retreat's objectives. Be sure to keep the following factors in mind in order to have a great retreat.
What to Look for in a Retreat Center
1. Does the Retreat Center Meet Your Budget?
Knowing your budget can help you decide where to have your retreat and ensure that the venue is within your spending limits. You should inquire about what is included in the rate the venue representatives are quoting when conducting your research:
- Are meals included?
- What about activities and a place to hold meetings?
- You should get clarity and make sure your spending is reasonable because many retreat centers charge items separately.
2. Is the Retreat Center In an Ideal Location?
Your retreat center's location is very crucial. You want to make sure it is easily accessible. This means that it should be close to an airport, railway station, or bus station if people aren't close enough to drive. You want to make sure it is convenient for your team to get to.
An additional consideration is the surrounding environment. Do you prefer to be close to a thriving city with restaurants and entertainment or a calm area with fewer distractions so team members can focus and recharge while relaxing?
You should also consider the environment's aesthetics. If your team cannot sleep soundly or is worried about cleanliness, it will be difficult to succeed at a retreat. Make sure the retreat location and lodging are aesthetically appealing and sanitary and have a staff that provides exceptional customer service.
3. Does the Retreat Center Have the Types of Activities You Are Looking For?
Consider what kinds of activities would make your retreat enjoyable. Are you seeking indoor activities like going out to eat, watching movies, and visiting tourist attractions, or are you looking for outdoor activities like zip lining, canoeing, hiking, and ropes courses? Your retreat center will be heavily influenced by the kinds of activities you are looking for.
4. Does the Retreat Center Have the Type of Accommodations You Need?
In terms of lodging, would you prefer large homes or cabins where everyone may stay together or hotel-style rooms? Will your staff be more at ease in their own room or will they need to share a room with others? Do you want your lodgings to be close to the activities and meeting rooms?
These are important questions you will want to ask and research. You must also be aware of any particular accommodations you may require, such as disability accessibility, for those with special needs.
5. What Type of Facility Do You Need?
This final factor is significant! What kind of setting is required for a good retreat? Make sure the facility satisfies the requirements of the objectives of your retreat. You don't want to pick a retreat center in the middle of a city if the purpose of your retreat is to unwind and enjoy nature.
Make sure no other groups are meeting in areas close to your retreat space if you want a cozy, private atmosphere. To ensure that the shared areas are private and the activities are limited to your team, you might wish to double-check that no other retreats are scheduled at the same time.
Additionally, you should make sure that the retreat center can accommodate the number of guests you plan to bring. On the other hand, the area shouldn't be too big for your group so that you can't interact.
Do you want to go out to eat every meal or have the retreat center offer meals? You may want to stay in a place with a kitchen so you can prepare some of your meals yourself and have others provided. You will also want to make sure the retreat center can accommodate any particular dietary needs if you're going to a place that serves meals.
Does the retreat center provide coffee, water, and snacks? What about the staff needed to operate the audio-visual equipment? Do they offer to set up, or do you have to do it all yourself?
Tekoa Retreats
As you can see, there are a lot of factors to take into account when deciding where to hold your retreat. The retreat center you pick will have a big impact on the success of your retreat, so be sure to do your research and ask the proper questions. If you are interested in finding out if Tekoa Retreats is the perfect place for your next retreat, contact us or visit our website.