Retreat Planning Guide
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Your retreat is a time to withdraw, to spend in prayer and reflection, to get
away from it all, to experience self-renewal and to return refreshed with a
stronger sense of purpose. These are strong motivators. To make sure these
goals are accomplished follow Groople's own Retreat Planning Guide, a 1-2-3
list to help you cover every base.
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Establish the purpose for your retreat. Do you want to bring your Church group closer together? Is it a renewal of your faith and
commitment? Would you like to emphasize team building or worship? This will help you analyze your expectations to find a focus for the retreat. |
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Who will take the lead? Organize a team and delegate the different tasks. It is more fun to have everyone's input and it will take
the pressure off the main organizer. |
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Formulate your goals and objectives. Is your purpose to reflect, unify, learn or train? Outlining specific goals makes them easier to accomplish. |
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Estimate your budget. It may be possible to offer scholarships to those who can't afford the trip. Make sure nobody has to stay behind. |
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Get out your calendar and pick a date! |
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Location, Location, Location. There are dozens of locations to hold your retreat. Make sure you go far enough away that you feel like you're
actually "retreating." |
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How are you going to get there? Whether van, bus or car, you can find great group discounts available right here at
Groople. |
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Spice it up. Create a unique theme that will put a fun spin on group time. |
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Organize different games and activities. This is a fun way to accomplish your established goals and objectives. Throw in some
light-hearted fun! |
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Break bread and bond. Bring your group together around the table to share meals. Tie your meals into your theme,
barbeque, or roast marshmallows. Just make sure you plan accordingly. |
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Formulate a game plan. Draw up an itinerary making sure events aren't too long and be sure to schedule in time to play. It
may also be a good idea to plan something for a rainy day! |
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Promote your hard work. Make sure to let people know about the retreat. Give an idea of the
specific goals and objectives. Provide registration information as well as any deadlines or fees. Advertise in a weekly news bulletin or the local paper, create flyers, or use good old word of mouth. |
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On the day of your retreat, relax and enjoy the time together. |
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Post-Retreat
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Listen to any feedback received during the retreat. Talk it over with your
committee. Praise what went well and learn from any mishaps. |
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Write thank you's for everybody who added an extra hand. |
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Start planning your next retreat! |
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