[menscouncil] Research into potential sites for an offsite Retreat
Tom Chettleburgh
tchettleburgh at gmail.com
Fri Jan 20 18:00:08 CST 2023
John, Thank you. This is a great breakdown of these 4 camps. I agree
with you that the best two options are Copneconic and Storer. I also like
the idea of paying extra for some of the activities like canoeing/kayaking.
With Copneconic, I wonder if the men will have an issue with the weekend,
being a Michigan home football game, and the cost--we would probably want
to charge $170 like the women. And this would not include a t-shirt. I am
fine with missing the game, but others may not be--maybe we can arrange the
day so we have a lengthy free time during the game.
If the game limits attendance, Storer that last weekend in September may be
our better option.
Tom
On Fri, Jan 20, 2023 at 11:40 AM John Russell <jrtreetown at gmail.com> wrote:
> 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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