Scuba, I must have not been there yet! I think it was the next day when several of us went for a walk along the lake. It was so beautiful!

I am so with you about no jazzercising. But a couple years ago, I was at a retreat where we did Tai Chi outside in the morning. I thought I'd hate it -- too slow moving, the emphasis on relaxation would stress me out, etc. But I loved it! Our instructor was from China and is apparently highly regarded. It was such a wonderful way to start each day, and that's saying a lot, since I tend to stagger out of bed all bleary-eyed and desperate for coffee.

SEE! Now right there we have a team work activity, keeping snakes from biting and ticks off of us. Team building exercise #1 ....pick on Matt. Tonya is on my team!

Hey, I love those team building ideas! (Poor Matt...)

"Pick on Matt" is hardly a team-building exercise. It seems more like a way of life. Heck, even God's signed up for it. :)

"Poor Matt"...you don't know the half of it.

Here's a notion to tuck in the back of your minds for the future: would it be worthwhile to do a Fall retreat as well? The only limitation on retreats is funding, so it depends on getting enough registrations to make it do-able. I think people would love the idea, but I'm not sure if people would actually be able to commit to two in sufficient numbers to make them happen. But it seems like every Fall, we get a lot of consensus here that we'd all like to do this again. Plus the Fall has cool weather, beautiful trees, and no risks of Spring thunderstorms.

I'd do it. For the sweatlodge alone, probably! Of course, to see my peeps too.

wah wah wah Don't make me pull out all those platitudes to counter the 'poor Matt' syndrome.

I like the fall and would rather the fall, but the fall is...well fall and it seems like the world slips off it's axis in the fall.. I suppose if it's in Oct so School could be in full swing, but a new school year and schedule is always a huge adjustment. A fall retreat would mean an apple picking field trip!! woo hoo

And of course you wouldn't think the 'pick on Matt' as a credible team building exercise, but you'd be wrong.

hey, right here, right now, I would jump on a plane for a sweatlodge!! Two a year is an awful lot of organisation, I don't think i could fund twice a year, but the autumn sounds just a lovely time of year to be in Stillwater. I bet it is beautiful at the campsite then.
As for the other activities, the thing I liked was the lack of organised activities. It was a retreat in the true sense of the word, from a highly ordered, structured day of every day life, with deadlines and pressures, this felt that there was truly none of that. For me, that was refreshing, plus it meant I had time to get over my jet lag! But, I am really happy to go with the flow
I don't think I could do the pick on Matt team building exercise, but would be happy to watch from the sidelines!!!

My thoughts... for those traveling from far would only probably be able to make one retreat. I am not saying all. However, the retreat itself is nicely priced... the air, the parking at the airport at home, the hotel Sunday night do add up.

Here is where this is going. I think that the retreat size may dictate one vs. two.

I am not sure how many people were there last year. However, I felt that it was a nice size and intimate. If the retreat becomes too large, it will loose some of that character. I am not sure what that line would be.

I guess what I am saying is what is the maximum number for the retreat. If there are too many people for one retreat, then that may be the time to offer the second retreat.

Fall is a crazy time. However, October is a beautiful month. I would guess that is probably the only month that makes sense. I would suggest mid to late October because of school starting and the Jewish Holidays.

To do the retreat costs about $7000. Registrations make it nearly break even, and donations and Coalition support brings it up to being sustainable. Two a year would keep the numbers of people smaller, but might necessitate raising the cost to $300 (which is still REALLY cheap; Meagan found out that other retreats are $2000-5000 per weekend).

I like the idea of having it in the Fall. There are fewer insects, cooler breezes, nice trees...

What are you thinking? Start next year with 2 retreats and see how it goes, if the numbers are there? Are you contemplating this Oct?

I really like the idea of the beautiful scenery and cooler weather. I draw so much from the landscape around me and I think it would really be amazing to witness fall. AZ sucks.

Not this Oct, no. Just keeping it in the backs of our minds. I wouldn't want to switch to Fall and have 18 months in between retreats, so I'd probably do Spring and fall one year, and then Fall from then on. That is, if people want it. I would LOVE two a year, though. Funds are the only issue.

If you build it, they will come.

I love the fall, it is my absolute favorite time of the year weather and nature wise, I love the trees changing colors and the cool breeze. The only thing about fall is school. Those of us still in school I think it would be very very difficult to get the days off of school. I would definatley pay for two retreats but if there was only one retreat and it was in the fall it would be really hard for me and I think other school goers to participate. Although I would try my hardest to come whatever time of the year it was.

I am praying I get to attend this year. A fall retreat would be nice, too. But, there is sooo much going on in the fall. (football!) I know it would be difficult for some, just like spring is for others. Maybe having a choice would be good if the budget allowed. I also, like the idea of having art stuff out and being able to do that if we want. I enjoy art and journal. So, either...sometimes my journals include art. Maybe, even just a time to share what helps us in journaling or artwork. I shared my journal with a friend not to long ago and it gave her ideas. Sometimes just sharing ideas with each other is encouraging. I have one friend who makes her own journals.

I loved having the retreat so far in advance. I can really plan based on that.

I wonder if you pick a potential date for fall 2011 that you could get a feel for that and the spring retreat. Just a thought....