[menscouncil] Research into potential sites for an offsite Retreat

[John Russell]

Tom, Jim, Bob, (other members of Men's Council included as FYI, but input
is welcome):
    As I committed in our Men's Council meeting on Saturday, I contacted
some camps about a possible Men's offsite retreat in the Fall. I contacted
four camps - Camp Copneconic (where the UU women held a retreat this past
fall), Camp Storer (a "Y" camp similar to Camp Copneconic), Camp Talahi (a
camp used for Men's retreats up until about 10 years ago, when they
temporarily closed but are now open again), and Earthwell Retreat & Nature
Sanctuary.  All are within an hour's drive from A2. What I learned from my
calls and other research:


   1. Earthwell Retreat <https://www.earthwellretreat.com>
   - Jim Schaefer suggested looking into this camp, located outside
      Manchester
      - This camp offers "personal and group retreat experiences that
      promote harmony with nature, self, and others
      - 18 beds total across several cabins (and some of the beds are upper
      bunks), 30-person indoor space with an outdoor tent for larger
gatherings,
      etc.
      - This could be a great space for a quiet retreat for a smaller
      group. They offer yoga, meditation, wellness themes. Food is catered, all
      vegetarian, and focused on farm-to-table.
      - We could rent the entire camp, but unfortunately it's *not large
      enough and doesn't have lodging nor meeting facilities that we need*.
   2. Camp Talahi <http://camptalahi.org/location/>
   - Sleeping Space: 2 dorms, 22 bunk beds in each, plus three 500-600 sq
      ft cabins with 4 beds each. As far as space, I believe we need to make an
      assumption that most men won't want to climb up to a top bunk. That said,
      the 2 dorms would accommodate 44 of us, with the cabins holding the rest.
      The cabins have no bathrooms.
      - Breakout space: The main lodge has a meeting area indoors, plus a
      front porch and a side porch, so breakout meeting space is available.
      - Food: The camp has a commercial kitchen but it's not staffed. They
      have an outside cook who can come in and cook for us.  The current owners
      closed on the property in June, construction/repairs are ongoing.
      - Friday night potluck: not a problem.
      - Tents, RVs not a problem because we have the whole camp.
      - We could rent the entire camp at a cost of about $3,000-$3500.
      ($60- about $70/person ) This does not include food.
      - Dates Availability: The last two weekends in September are booked.
      Sept 15-17 is available.
      - Positives: We've held retreats there before. We can rent the entire
      space so we have privacy as with past camps used for retreats.
      - Negatives: The big dorm sleeping arrangements, repairs and updates
      in progress.
   3. YMCA Storer Camp <https://www.ymcastorercamps.org>
   - Used for Men's retreats about 20 years ago.
      - Sleeping Space: Four "Modern Lodges" with each lodge having four
      units that sleep 7 people each (not using top bunks), for a total of
      28/lodge. We could use 2 lodges and cutoff registration at 56, or I could
      look into an additional lodge and/or a couple cabins. There are also
      "Rustic Cabins" but those have no bathrooms so guys would have
to walk to a
      modern lodge to use the bathrooms.
      - Breakout space: Each modern lodge has a common room with couches,
      coffee tables and a fireplace. We could also use areas in the dining hall
      or another large space (Doc Miller Learning Center)
      - Food: Camp provides 4 meals (3 Saturday plus Sunday breakfast).
      Dietary restrictions can be accommodated (Vegetarian, Vegan, etc.).
      - Friday potluck: We could set up on Friday evening and do our Friday
      potluck in the Doc Miller Learning Center.
      - Tents, RVs: Per my contact he doesn't see a problem, but he said he
      had to look into it and get back to me. Based on what Camp
Copneconic told
      me, I will say it's probably a No.
      - This camp provides activities at an extra cost if we're interested.
      - Dates Availibility:  Right now, the last 2 weekends in Sept are
      available.
      - Positives: I believe this camp has the space, food, availability
      and features we need. My contact was very willing to work with us.
      - Negatives: Other groups could also be at the camp at the same time.
      The Dining Hall has 2 sides, so we could be somewhat separated, and we'd
      have separate space for sleeping, breakouts, etc. No tents, RVs.
      - Cost TBD. I would expect it will be similar to Camp Copneconic, but
      if we're sincerely interested in this camp, I can nail it down more.
   4. YMCA Camp Copneconic <https://www.campcopneconic.org>
   - The location scoped out by Jim Schaefer and Rick Witten prior to the
      pandemic, and actually used for about 50 UU Women for a retreat
in Fall of
      2022.
      - I spoke with Judi Lintott, organizer for the women's 2022 retreat,
      who was very helpful with providing information.
      - Sleeping space: The UU women used the Conference Center, which has
      20 separate rooms, each with a couple beds, plus a couple smaller lodges.
      This is a large camp, and there are multiple lodges, so it will not be a
      problem to arrange sleeping space.
      - Breakout space: Dining Hall, Conference Center, a couple other
      lodges. No problem.
      - Food: The camp has it's own catering service. Dietary restrictions
      will be accommodated. 4 meals provided (Sat breakfast, lunch, dinner and
      Sunday breakfast)
      - Friday Potluck: The women did this on Friday evening. The camp
      provided silverware and utensils. We have to commit to no peanuts and no
      tree nuts.
      - This camp provides activities at an extra cost if we're interested
      (Archery, ziplines, climbing wall, kayaks/canoes). Small additional costs.
      - No tent camping nor RVs. The camp contact (Zack) said they don't
      have a license for tents and RVs, so they can't do it.
      - The UU women did a fair amount of COVID precautions and actions -
      e.g. everyone had to provide a negative self-test just before
the retreat,
      masks during breakouts indoors. We could also do this, or some
subset based
      on the COVID climate next fall.
      - Availability: Weekend of Sept 22-24 is available. The following
      weekend is not.
      - Cost: $150/person to the camp. The UU women added $20/person for
      incidentals.
      - Positives: Tried and tested recently by the UU women. Visited and
      actually booked for the men in the past (but cancelled due to
COVID). This
      camp has the space, food, availability and features we need. We can
      separate our group into small groups for sleeping. The contact was very
      willing to work with us.
      - Negatives: Although the women had the camp to themselves, we may
      not be alone, per the contact.  The Dining Hall has 2 sides, so
we could be
      somewhat separated, and we'd have separate space for sleeping, breakouts,
      etc. No tents, RVs.

*My thoughts:*

   - My first choice/recommendation is Camp Copneconic. 2nd choice would be
   Camp Storer.
   - Talahi is too limited on sleeping accommodations. Also in a state of
   remodeling/construction.
   - Note: All of these places don't allow alcohol, so we absolutely can't
   be openly drinking.
   - We're "penciled in" for both Copneconic and Storer. I'll cancel one
   when we have a decision.

Let me know what you think.
- John
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