Thinking about renting the Fort Bluff facility?
Consider these details when thinking about renting a facility rather than joining an ongoing program:
There are certainly more details to plan, but above all, consider how God can use your time together to draw your group closer to Him and closer to each other. Ask your planning committee to pray together and separately for direction in guiding your group during your time together.
Amazing things can happen as a group when we get away from the daily grind and open our hearts to God in a place dedicated to His glory.
Consider these details when thinking about renting a facility rather than joining an ongoing program:
- When You Arrive - After driving under the Fort Bluff arch, signs will lead you toward our office. Please bring your signed original documents to the office. After paying your final balance, your Retreat Coordinator will go over final details and provide your room keys. From there, your group will attend a brief orientation with a Fort Bluff staff member and you'll be on your way to the retreat experience of a lifetime!
- Meals - Our camp employs some of the best chefs your taste buds will ever find. Plus, they have experience in meal planning for large groups. They know where to shop, what to purchase and correct quantities needed to feed your group’s hungry bellies. The camp will feed your guests’ healthy appetites while you focus on feeding their souls. So, sit back, relax, and we will handle the food!
- Kitchen Facilities - Due to health regulations or other groups who may be on-site at the same time, you may not be able to rent kitchen facilities. Always ask.
- Programming - Many groups make the mistake of opting out of additional activities like swimming , mini-golf or gaga ball. When their group arrives, they realize how much fun those activities would be, and then they ask about opting in. Unfortunately, last-minute opt-ins don’t often work. Recreation directors may have scheduled much needed time off, or other groups may have scheduled activities or facilities that you later realize would have worked perfectly for your group. Carefully consider the many activities your facility offers, and sign up in advance to help avoid surprises.
- Audio / Visual - For worship services, are you planning to project words to your music on a screen? Does your speaker need a screen and projector to support the message? Fort Bluff needs to know of these requirements in advance so they can plan accordingly. Bringing your own equipment? Let the camp know. They can assist you in finding the best place to plug in the cord so your guests don't trip over it and get hurt! Fort Bluff has a limited number of microphones which cannot be moved from their respective locations. If your group requires amplification, please talk about sound rental with your retreat coordinator.
- Sleeping arrangements - Your group will be busy each day and will need to recharge for the next day with a good night’s sleep. Ask your camp for sleeping arrangement details. Are bedding and linens provided? While some private housing on campus has bedding provided, most twin beds do not.
- Weather - In some places, especially in the mountains, the weather can change at any time. If you have outdoor activities planned, be prepared with an alternate indoor activity if the weather turns nasty or dangerous. How can guests most effectively pack for a range of possible weather conditions? Ask the camp what they recommend.
- Bonfire - There are a couple fire pits on campus most frequently used by retreat guests. The Bluff Pit is the largest, with a circle of benches surrounding it and a couple picnic tables nearby for s'more supplies. The Lodge Pit is directly behind the lodge, adjacent to the stone patio where guests will find tables and chairs.
There are certainly more details to plan, but above all, consider how God can use your time together to draw your group closer to Him and closer to each other. Ask your planning committee to pray together and separately for direction in guiding your group during your time together.
Amazing things can happen as a group when we get away from the daily grind and open our hearts to God in a place dedicated to His glory.
