Considering hosting a retreat but not sure where to begin? This guide, created by members of Glorieta’s retreat team, is designed to give you a starting point. Is answers the questions: 

• Why should I host a retreat?
• How do I choose the right kind of retreat to host? 
• How do I choose a retreat venue? 
• What should my retreat schedule look like? 
• What should we pack for our retreat? 

So without further ado, let’s dive in! 

Why Should I Host a Retreat? 

 The short answer is retreats are powerful. They connect people over adventure and shared memories. Retreats bring perspective and restoration when we’re tired. In 2026, I think it’s safe to say that a lot of us are ready to go deeper with our people.

#1 Retreats Bring People Together 

The guy who was just your coworker last Thursday becomes the guy who has a hidden funny side and was your biggest encourager on the zipline. The new student who seemed shy before is now the student who shared the most around the campfire and who prayed with you after worship time. People on the fringes of our lives become real people we have shared memories with after we experience a retreat with them.

#2 Retreats Boost Creativity 

You know how the best ideas and insights fall into our laps when we’re taking a walk or on a coffee break? When we’re done with tossing an issue back and forth in our minds and out of nowhere the solution becomes obvious? In my experience, retreats are like that on steroids.

Guests often walk away from their time at Glorieta with clarity, new ideas on how to approach a big issue in their lives, and perspective. 

Maybe your people don’t need to Google or ask ChatGPT the solution to their problem. Maybe they need to get away, breathe in fresh air, and connect with other people on a retreat. Odds are the answer just might become much more clear after that.

#3 Retreats Give Confidence

Retreats present dozens of small challenges. And your confidence grows with each one you face. This is just not only with adventures — although we have adventure here at Glorieta, and plenty of it!  An instructional retreat (like musical lessons) can give you the thrill of knowing it’s not too late to learn something new. A retreat centered in group bonding can give you the boost of knowing you can do things that make you nervous, like connecting with people. 

Regardless of what your retreat looks like, by deciding to host one, you’re giving your group the opportunity to embrace play as adults. And that comes with the rare chance to help them feel proud of themselves and feel a real, steady confidence expand.

#3 Retreats Invite You to Slow Down

If more adrenaline, more excitement, more adventure isn’t your idea of a good time, maybe what you need is a rest-centered retreat. If your people need some quiet time away together to talk, plan, pray together, and get some space, a retreat is still an impactful option for them.

Read the full “Why Host a Retreat” guide here!

How do I choose the right kind of retreat to host? 

TLDR: Choosing between overnight retreats and day retreats comes down to distance from the venue and what you want to accomplish on your retreat. First, dream up all you want your retreat to be. Then dial in and choose the format that fits your vision. 

Expand Your Vision

At Glorieta, we define “retreat” as intentional time away with your people or yourself. Common retreats include athletic events, field trips, and church couples groups. But retreats can be unconventional, too! Family reunions, corporate trainings, and quilting marathons all count as retreats! 

Get Practical 

This is where you ask yourself all the logistical questions and clarify your vision. What are your goals for this retreat? What does your group most need? What would feel like a successful retreat to you? 

Once you identify where you land, the rest of the planning process gets a lot easier. For reference, here are common goals we see from groups at Glorieta:

• Have fun and make memories 
• Train and learn together 
•  Reflect and plan for the future 
• Be refreshed
• Unplug from technology and explore the outdoors 

 

Why Host an Overnight Retreat? 

Overnight retreats are the obvious choice for groups traveling more than an hour or two. But even for semi-local groups, there are strong benefits to overnight retreats. All the moments in-between (like in the hotel lobby, lingering at the dining table, a late-night walk) add up. Sometimes the sweetest retreat memories are created during un-programmed time.

One caveat here: not all venues offer onsite lodging. If it’s important to you to have your venue, lodging, and dining all in the same spot, consider that when booking a retreat. 

Why Host a Day Retreat?

Day retreats are perfect for groups with attendees who live in close proximity to the venue and who need space for a: 

•  field trip 
• single-day training 
• large meeting space
• an economical option 
• a way to get their feet wet in the world of retreat planning and hosting

Day retreats can be just as fulfilling and impactful as longer, overnight retreats! The key is making sure the choice reflects your retreat goals and gives you exactly what you need. 

Read the “Choosing the Right Kind of Retreat” guide here. 

How Do I Choose a Retreat Venue? 

TLDR: Choose a retreat venue that fits your vision both practically (location, accommodations) and creatively (your dream retreat is possible there). Bonus points for choosing a venue that offers something you’ve never experienced before. 

#1 It Has What You Need 

Not every venue will meet your specific retreat needs. Some don’t have comfortable indoor meeting spaces. Some aren’t in a particularly nature-heavy setting. If you have your retreat goals mapped out already, use those goals as your guide when selecting your venue. It’s easy to get swept away by ease of location or unique features and end up with a venue that doesn’t quite give you what you need. 

#2 It’s Convenient 

This will look different for everyone, but here are a few places to start: 

Location. 

Is the venue a comfortable distance for your retreat guests? You don’t have to host a retreat in the city (or even state) you live in, but make sure to deliver big if you ask your attendees to travel more than a couple hours.

Friendly and accommodating staff. 

This is a biggie. In your early interactions with the venue, how accommodating were the staff? You’re going to be needing a lot from them in the coming weeks and months — make sure they’re on board with your vision. Venue staff who fully believe in your vision will help bring it to life in ways you would never have thought to ask. 

Meals and lodging are on-site. 

No one wants to coordinate an entire retreat, make a schedule, decide how to welcome guests, plan an unforgettable weekend, AND still need to figure out where everyone’s going to stay and what they’re going to eat. Venues that offer on-site meals and lodging make your life WAY easier. 

Multiple lodging options. 

This might not be a deal breaker for everybody, but in many cases, having multiple lodging options is VERY convenient. Does your venue just offer upscale hotel rooms? (Or just rustic cabins?) Or can you choose the lodging that best fits your retreats’ vibe? At Glorieta, we offer hotel-style rooms, dorm rooms with bunk beds, lodges, an upscale lodge, and an RV park … just saying. Make sure your venue not only offers lodging, but the kind of lodging that would make your retreat that much more special.

#3 It Excites You

The X factor that makes a retreat exceptional is your own enthusiasm. 

If you have the option, choose the venue that excites you. The option that practically forces you to stay up past your bedtime thinking and dreaming about your retreat. The option that keeps inspiring more and more ideas for your retreat and makes you count down the days like a kid waiting for Christmas.

#4 It Offers Something You’ve Never Experienced Before

Your guests have sat in big meeting rooms before. They’ve gone on hikes before. They’ve had great meals. But have they gone skiing or ziplining? Have they seen that view at the top of the trail? Have they danced at a foam party or seen the Milky Way while roasting marshmallows for s’mores? If you can find a venue that offers something new, you’ve just created a special new memory for every one of your guests. And that’s unbeatable.

Read the full “How to Choose a Retreat Venue” guide here.

 

What should my retreat schedule look like? 

TLDR: It’s easier than you think to plan your retreat schedule! At Glorieta Adventure Camps, we provide our groups with sample schedules they can use to get started. Take a peek at some of those sample schedules below:

Sample Day Retreat Schedule

8:30-9:30 AM Check-In, Group Orientation

9:45-11:45 AM Activity Block #1

12:00 PM Lunch

12:45-1:00 PM Self-Guided Activities or Group Meeting

1:00-2:15 PM Activity Block #2

2:30-3:30 PM Gift Shop/Venue Retail 

2:45-4:15 PM Activity Block #3

4:30-4:45 PM Load Up & Head Home

Sample Weekend Retreat Schedule

Friday

3:00-5:00 PM Check-In, Leader Welcome, Unloading

6:30 PM Dinner

7:15 PM Self-Guided Activities or Group Meeting

8:30-10:30 PM Campfire & S’mores

Saturday 

6:45-7:45 AM Coffee & Walk (for the early birds!)

8:00 AM Breakfast

8:45 AM Self-Guided Activities or Group Meeting

9:45-11:45 AM Activity Block #1

12:00 PM Lunch

12:45 PM Self-Guided Activities or Group Meeting

2:30-3:30 PM Gift Shop/Venue Retail

2:45-4:15 PM Activity Block #2

4:45-6:15 PM Activity Block #3

6:30 PM Dinner

7:15 PM Self-Guided Activities or Group Meeting

8:30-10:30 PM Campfire & S’mores

Sunday

6:45-7:45 AM Coffee & Walk (for the early birds!)

8:00 AM Breakfast

8:45 AM Self-Guided Activities, Packing

10:00 AM Check Out & Head Home

Read the full “How to Plan Your Retreat Schedule” guide here. 

What Should We Pack for Our Retreat? 

TLDR: Retreats usually look different from your daily life. Bring what will help keep you comfortable and happy. Don’t forget comfortable shoes, hydration aids, and anything you need to get good sleep. View Glorieta’s full recommended retreat packing list here. 

#1 Take Care of Your Paperwork First

Make sure you are fully caught up with any pending paperwork. Does your venue have everything it needs from you? Have you (and your attendees) signed your waivers? Check these tasks off your to-do list today. It will make the rest of your prep go much smoother! 

#2 What Does the Venue Provide? 

At Glorieta Adventure Camps, we host A LOT of different retreats. Each season we see youth groups, outdoor enthusiasts, corporate events, musicians, etc. We offer a broad range of lodging options for these groups to choose from. Often youth retreats will opt for dorm rooms with bunk beds, corporate events will opt for hotel-style rooms or a lodge, and athletes here to race will choose tent camping or boondocking. 

Each of these options require a different packing list. Hotel-style rooms naturally have more amenities than boondocking. What are your accommodations like? Do you need to bring towels, shampoo, your own snacks?

#3 What’s Your Retreat Schedule? 

Will you be spending your time learning in classrooms? Challenging yourself on the trail 90% of the time, but spending one evening out in Santa Fe (or whatever city is closest to your venue)? Swimming, ziplining, and more? Pack accordingly. And bring more towels than you think you need if your retreat includes swimming!

#4 Always Bring Closed-Toed Shoes 

Always. And shower shoes never hurt anybody.

#5 Remember the Sunscreen! 

A lot of retreat guests who work office jobs or otherwise live a lot of our lives indoors can forget how important it is to protect themselves from the sun and dehydration. If your retreat will include more outdoor time than your typical daily routine does (and it often will!) pack sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat with sun protection, and a water bottle. They will all be essential! 

#6 White Noise, Sleep Masks, and/or Earplugs 

Camp adventures are a lot of fun — and take a lot of energy! Getting good sleep will make you feel so much better and ready to embrace the next day head-on. If you’re sharing lodging with a group you normally don’t share lodging with, remember to pack with your sleep quality in mind.

#7 Journal, Notebook, and Pen 

Some form of paper and writing utensil will come in use for 95% of retreats.

Corporate event with classes? Perfect for notes.

Youth retreat? Prayer journaling and sermon notes. 

Adventure race or hobbyist retreat? Taking down the names and email addresses of new people you’ve met!

Personal retreat? Journal to bring on your nature walks.

Sure, you can take these notes on your phone or tablet. But the analog angle of a notebook and pen helps keep tech in the back corner. Plus it leaves your mind free to soak up the adventure, learning, and new friendships you’re making!

Read the full “7 Practical Retreat-Planning Tips” guide here.