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Create a "Sound Track"

10/26/2013

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Most of us have memories that are linked to music. It may be a 60's pop song or classic rock anthem. Maybe a silly song your family quotes back and forth. Young or old, there always seems to be something of a sound track behind the scenes of our lives. There is no denying that music can evoke powerful memories and help pave the way for new experiences and learning.

Why not capitalize on that at your retreat. The rise of MP3 players has made it quite easy to curate a collection of music that will be meaningful to your group that can be played in the background during meeting breaks, free times, and maybe even as sing-alongs.

You can plug your player, iPod, cell phone, etc. into the media rack at Rainbow Lodge and begin linking new memories. Might even be fun to have music of different generations. Pick just a few, put them on a loop, and let the connections begin.

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How Much To Charge for a Retreat

10/19/2013

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Most churches seek to cover the costs of their retreats completely through participant fees, while realistically planning to assist those in their community who may not be able to afford to participate (with budgeted subsidies and scholarships). Remember that there are costs to your retreat that are above and beyond what the Lodge charges.

What are your costs? Some things to consider:
  • What is the cost charged by Rainbow Lodge per person? (found on your guest agreement). Multiply this number by the total number expected to attend- make sure to include all persons whether they are paying or not - e.g., speakers and presenters.
  • What are the speakers travel fees and honorarium?
  • How much are your supplies (decorations, treats, copies, etc.) going to cost?
  • Will you have promotional expenses?
  • How big is your postage bill for the retreat?
  • Any miscellaneous expenses?
Add all of the above to get your total estimated cost. Divide by your estimated number of guests to get a realistic cost per person.

 

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Conference Survival Kit

10/17/2013

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Many groups holding retreats at the Lodge greet their guests with a "Retreat Survival Kit" that might include ear plugs, bandaids, a snack, breath mints, a pen, note pad, maps, a "things to do" list. 
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Ten Thoughts on Planning a Retreat

10/16/2013

2 Comments

 
Planning a retreat, whether it is a single day, a full  weekend, or a week-long event, can be complicated. Here are some ideas to think about as you  plan your retreat experience.
  1. Be clear of the purpose of your  retreat. Be able to state  it in one short sentence.
  2. Plan Ahead. People are very busy. Allow your  participants time to get the dates on their calendars. Depending on the time of year, you should probably allow a minimum of 4 months lead time for even a one day retreat. If you are holding  a week long event, a 10 to 12 month lead time is realistic.
  3. Arrange for any presenters or speakers well in advance. 
  4. Arrange for the location of your  retreat at least a year out. Rainbow Lodge can book up to 3 years in advance!
  5. Establish a realistic budget. Budgets should include (at the least): Facilities and meal costs, program costs (including  presenter honorariums or fees, travel expenses, extra lodging, printing, etc.). Don’t forget other items such as insurance, promotion and miscellaneous  items. It is always good to  add 5-10% for a cushion.
  6. Analyze your program and determine obstacles you may need to overcome to have a successful retreat. Some things to consider calendar might be calendar conflicts, weather, and ways of overcoming any reticence on the part of potential  attendees.
  7. Be aware of the potential medical needs of your attendees. It might be good to have a designated first aid person on site. 
  8. Know of the special needs of any of your attendees and communicate with the facility what those are. Pay special attention to dietary  needs and food
    allergies.
  9. Tour the facility prior to your arrival for your retreat (or better, before booking). Nothing is better than seeing the site in person to determine how to best use the  site for your program.  
  10. Communicate early and often with  the staff at the retreat center so that all are working “on the same page”  toward the success of your event.
  11. Bonus thought:  Make sure you are able to enjoy the retreat yourself! The better the planning, the  better the chance of that happening. 
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Surprise Your Presenters

10/16/2013

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A fruit basket or snack assortment in the room of your guest speaker or major presenter is a great way of welcoming them. Flower arrangements or balloons are often fun too. You might even arrange for a store to deliver in advance - just make sure to check with the Lodge in advance to make sure someone will be available to accept the delivery.
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    Ideas

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Brandon Gooch
Executive Director
46820 SE Mt Si Road
North Bend, WA 98045
(425) 888-4181
director@rainbowlodge.org
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  • Home
  • Facilities & Services
  • About Us
    • Location
    • Photo Gallery
    • Staff
    • Board of Directors
    • History
  • Booking a Retreat
    • Inquiry / Reservations
    • Day Use Events
  • Forms
    • Final Guest Information Form
    • Retreat Feedback Form
    • Policies and Information
    • Dietary Policies
    • Room Layout
  • Jobs
  • Local Things to Do
  • Support Rainbow Lodge