6 Reasons Retreat Planners Should Consider a

Non-Traditional Retreat Venue

By Jaynie Shultz

The challenge of thinking beyond traditional retreat venues such as hotels or conference centers is simply a matter of being able to imagine a new experience.

It’s no surprise, then, that forward-

thinking meeting planners are

turning to non-traditional retreat

venues, like summer camps.

Whether the initial purpose is to save

money, provide a unique attendee

experience, build stronger teams or

simply try something new, trying out

a new or unique facility can result in

unusually productive, memorable

meetings.

Here are 6 reasons why planners

should consider non-traditional

retreat venues:

1. They’re designed with groups in mind.

Whether it’s a camp or a formal retreat center, these

facilities are not made for leisure travelers. They are

designed for learning, collaboration and growth--the

same things reflected in many planners’ goals for a

retreat.

2. They have great meeting rooms

and amenities.

With both attendees’ and planners’ growing desire

for retreat centers outside of the hotel market,

retreat centers have stepped up to provide more

formal meeting spaces, A/V support, catering

menus and room sets that allow for formal or

informal meetings, large or small.

3. They generally allow the run of the space.

Many retreat centers are available for groups to

rent out exclusively without added costs, which is a

huge benefit. Not only can attendees feel more

relaxed because they are the only

group on property, but they can access all the

recreation and special places on the property

without having to juggle schedules with other

groups.

3. They generally allow the run of the space.

Most camps and retreat centers have many more

options than do hotels for unique meeting spaces,

team building and trust programs. This includes

outdoor gatherings such as amphitheaters, as well

as myriad porches to relax and spend time talking

to each other rather than being locked in

windowless rooms all day.

4. They’re surrounded by nature.

Being in nature spurs creativity and motivation, not to

mention it allows attendees to escape the hustle and

bustle of everyday life. Breathing fresh air, seeing

trees and birds and natural creations can help

attendees perform better and be open to learning in

new ways. They’re able to see their colleagues through

new eyes, which can diminish “baggage” that people

often bring to meetings.

5. You get more bang for your buck.

Traveling to a camp or retreat center can be easy and

cheap: There are hundreds of centers located less than

an hour from major metropolitan areas, which allow a

group to experience a new setting without the traveling

hassle.

5. You get more bang for your buck.

The rates at nontraditional retreat venues are often

significantly less than hotels because they have no

pressure for return on investment. Camp and retreat

properties are often mission-driven organizations,

seeking only to meet their budgets. As such their rates

are much more competitive and reasonable, so they’re

great for groups with smaller budgets, such as nonprofit

groups, churches and universities.

6. You get a personalized experience.

By offering only group rentals, camps are able to

extend their passion for group collaboration beyond

the two months of summer camp to include many

more people. The mission of camp and retreat center

staffs is only to make sure your group’s experience is a

success, meaning they can customize a group’s dining

hours, menus, program options and much more.

What does this mean for retreat planners?

Retreat planners should not limit their search to hotels or

conference centers when planning a retreat, regardless

of budget. Good properties will be happy to

accommodate just about any need and desire, just as

they do in the summer for children and families.

Nontraditional retreat venues are more than capable

of producing an experience that any group is seeking.

by Jaynie Shultz

Jaynie Schultz founded Retreat Central with Deb Williams in 2008 to serve planners looking for facilities outside of the traditional hotel market. She created the now-closed Garrett Creek Ranch retreat center with her mother more than 20 years ago, working as its founding director of sales and marketing. She is involved in many non-profit organizations and leadership development programs.

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