Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
We’ve made an effort to provide answers to all the questions you might have about the Retreat, particularly if you’ve never attended before! If you still have a question about the Retreat experience after reading the information below, please contact us at womuunsretreat@uuaa.org.
When are the next retreats?
October 16–18, 2026 – Butzel Lodge at Tamarack Adventure & Retreat Center. Our 2027 retreat will be hosted May 21–23 at Maryville Retreat Center.
Where is the Retreat?
Our Retreat is hosted at the Butzel Lodge at Tamarack Adventure & Retreat Center in Ortonville, Michigan, about an hour / 45 miles north of Ann Arbor. About a week before the retreat we provide all attendees with a list of other attendees and their locations, to make arranging carpools easier.
How do I sign up to attend the Retreat?
Registration will open in spring 2026.
What is the Retreat like?
The 2026 WomUUn’s Retreat will be hosted at Butzel Lodge at Tamarack Adventure & Retreat Center, a kid’s and family camp in a beautiful natural setting east of Holly, Michigan. The WomUUn’s community at UUAA has hosted an annual retreat for over 18 years. The retreat activities are designed to provide a safe, engaging, and restorative experience for attendees. The activities offer a combination of full attendee gatherings (opening and closing ceremonies, meals, evening entertainment), facilitated small group connections, and time for casual conversation and relaxation. Our Saturday workshops offer a variety of activities to choose from, including arts and crafts, nature trail walking, yoga, and camp activities (ziplining, climbing wall, ropes course, etc). We design the agenda thoughtfully to offer a mix of full group community, smaller group connection, and free time for rest and relaxation! No activity is “mandatory” – you shape the weekend that feels right for you!
Watch the 2025 slideshow for a preview of what it’s like at the Retreat! https://youtu.be/1cCarfevsXQ
Who can attend the Retreat?
The Retreat is open to the First Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Ann Arbor community, other Unitarian Universalist community members and UU-minded women in the Great Lakes region. The WomUUn’s Retreat is open to women and anyone with a marginalized gender identity, including non-binary or gender fluid folks, and trans women. (We recognize our language is imperfect and welcome feedback.) The retreat is also open to teens ages 14-17, with an adult sponsor. This sponsor does not need to be a parent. Please contact womuunsretreat@uuaa.org if you need assistance finding a sponsor for a youth attendee – there are many attendees who are willing to serve as a sponsor for a youth attendee.
Are children allowed? Girls ages 14-17 are encouraged to attend with an adult sponsor. The sponsor does not need to be a parent/guardian. Babes in arms – not yet crawling – are also welcome. Please contact Lindsay White (lahw47@gmail.com) to make arrangements if you plan to bring a babe-in-arms.
I don’t know anyone at UUAA and/or in the WomUU’s community yet – will I still have a good time on the retreat?
The retreat is a great place to meet new friends and foster meaningful connections. WomUUn’s Community and retreat attendees arrive with open hearts and are eager to make new, meaningful connections. See the next question below for information about the “Small Groups” experience, which also helps to facilitate making new connections.
Will there be name tags or some other identification to help me with people’s names throughout the weekend?
Name badges on lanyards will be provided at check in, and we ask attendees to wear them throughout the Retreat. At the end of the Retreat we will collect the plastic pouches and lanyards to reuse.
I’m an introvert – will I enjoy the retreat?
We definitely think so! One of the highlights for many attendees is our “small groups” experience – we divide up all attendees into small groups of 8-10 people, who meet together multiple times during the retreat weekend for facilitated discussion. Introverts typically have a very positive experience in these groups – the discussions are guided, and each person gets a chance to share their reflections to the discussion prompts, as they are ready. This structured, smaller group approach is introvert-friendly, and fuels authentic connections and the opportunity to get to know other attendees on a deeper level. Additionally – all activities during the weekend are optional – if you need some quiet time, you are always welcome to go for a walk in the surrounding woods, sit by the lake, or read a book on the porch!
What will my experience be like if I choose the “Saturday only” option?
If you choose the Saturday only option, you’ll spend the full day at Butzel Lodge at Tamarack Adventure & Retreat Center, joining the weekenders for breakfast on Saturday morning. You’ll be able to participate in any of the Saturday activities you choose, and you’ll meet new friends and be able to participate in your choice of Retreat workshops and small groups. Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner are included in your Saturday only registration fee. You have the option to stay for the evening entertainment on Saturday evening, but many Saturday only attendees head home after dinner. You will miss the opening ceremony, bonfire, and closing ceremony; you’ll likely feel like you had a very fun day of connection, instead of the full immersive “Retreat” experience.
The Saturday only option is good for those who don’t like to sleep away from home, those who are not comfortable in camp lodging, or those who have obligations on Friday or Sunday morning but still want to connect with other womUUn.
What is the experience for youth (13-17) attendees?
One of our 2024 14-year-old youth attendees had this to say, “It was a really good bonding experience and I got to make a lot of friends in the community who I hadn’t known before. It was also lovely to be mentored by older women who I had not socialized with in the past.” Our youth attendees often really enjoy the camp activities (ropes course, archery, ziplining, etc.), as well as experiencing the other retreat activities and small groups. There is not a separate “youth track” or programs; youth are encouraged to attend as many of the planned workshops and activities as they want to. We typically bunk youth attendees together (with a chaperon near), unless they make other requests when registering.
Can I get involved in planning or facilitating the Retreat?
Yes! In particular we need volunteers to host workshop activities and facilitate small groups.
- Workshop Activity Hosts: Providing a wide variety of attendee-led workshops makes our retreat special. In the past, WomUUn’s Community Member-led workshops have included things like arts and crafts, journaling, improv theater, social justice activism, nature scavenger hunts, guided hikes, connection activities, games, and yoga.
- Small Group Facilitators: Small groups are a longstanding popular feature of our retreats that enable deeper conversation and connection. We need people willing to volunteer as Small Group Facilitators. This entails: attending a short virtual training prior to the Retreat to receive all instructions (or watching the recording), reviewing the group conversation documents prior to the retreat to ensure familiarity, and using those documents at the Retreat to facilitate the small group gatherings. If you’ve ever been part of a Chalice Circle at UUAA, the facilitator role is similar to that of a Chalice Circle leader. The main skill required is the ability and willingness to create a safe, inclusive space where everyone feels heard and valued. You will guide group discussions, help the group stay focused, and encourage balanced participation.
If you’d like to volunteer for either of the above, or if you have other ideas/suggestions, reach out to: womuunsretreat@uuaa.org at your earliest convenience.
What is the food like?
The food is provided by the camp, and they can accommodate most dietary needs, including vegan and vegetarian, with advanced notice. We’ll ask you for your dietary needs in the registration form, and will share all requirements with the camp staff in advance. One of the reasons we are trying a new venue for our retreat is to improve the food and dining experience – we have more control over the menu, and we’ll be in a private dining hall, which will vastly improve the dining experience (previous years have had a shared dining hall, with some meal experiences that are very loud and hard to socialize).
Please note: the camp water is well water. If you have medical needs that require drinking only filtered water, please bring enough bottled water for the weekend.
Can I bring my own snacks?
Yes – you’re welcome to bring your own snacks, but please note all food in the lodging areas needs to be nut-free. A small, personal cooler is ok as well. Please be mindful that we are in a natural environment, and food should be well packaged / stored to avoid attracting bugs or non-human mammals.
What is the caffeinated beverage situation?
The camp provides coffee (caffeinated and decaffeinated) and hot water/tea at all meals. More information about 2026 coffee options will be provided closer to the Retreat as we finalize options at our new venue!
Will there be a community cafe?
Previous retreats have featured a “Community Cafe” – a pot-luck style dinner on Friday night. This year however, our Friday evening meal is provided by the camp!
What is the lodging like?
The camp lodgings are part of a large, modern camp. We will be in the separate, private retreat center, which has a separate entrance from the main camp. We will offer a limited number of private rooms for an increased registration fee. All rooms have heat, electricity with power outlets, and shared bathrooms with showers, sinks, and flush toilets. The camp has single beds and full sized beds. Bedding and towels are provided by the camp. Full details of what to bring are shared in a packing list prior to the retreat.
What if it rains? How will camp activities change?
We encourage attendees to pack for all weather, including rain gear that will allow you to walk outside in the rain briefly to move between buildings. Should we experience inclement weather, we will facilitate all activities indoors and make adjustments to the available activities and plans as needed. Camp activities (archery, ziplining, climbing wall, ropes course, etc) are weather-permitting.
Please note: should we experience inclement weather on Friday, October 16 that would prevent attendees from traveling safely to the camp, we will communicate updates and crucial information to all registered attendees via email. Please ensure you check your email for the latest information.
I have mobility issues – will I get around ok at the campground?
Please notify us of any mobility needs when you register, and the camp will help us accommodate. Past attendees with stability concerns recommend bringing walking/trekking poles to use while walking around the campground, as some of the paths and ground can be uneven. The roads and paths at camp are unpaved. If you have accessibility concerns, questions, or information, please reach out to Lindsay White at lahw47@gmail.com.
What do I need to pack?
We will send out a full packing list closer to the Retreat, but you may reference the 2025 packing list if you’d like an idea.
Can I bring my hairdryer, CPAP, or other small electric device? Yes, the cabins all provide electrical outlets in every room. If you need a machine or device positioned directly by your bed you may want to bring an extension cord, in case the closest outlet is not well positioned by your bed.
Will there be music? Should I bring an instrument?
Yes, and yes! If you play a musical instrument that you can bring with you, please do so – we want YOU to join our merry band of music-makers at the retreat! No auditions, no pressure — just pure, carefree fun. We have several attendees who are passionate about facilitating a communal music experience. Please email womuunsretreat@uuaa.org if you would like to contribute to the music at the retreat.
What happens if I need medical help while attending the retreat?
To ensure we’re prepared to get you appropriate medical care should you have an emergency, all attendees are required to fill out a medical information form, which can be kept sealed and returned unopened at the end of the Retreat if not required. This form is used only if you require medical assistance or have a medical emergency while attending the Retreat. If you do not collect your form at the end of the retreat, we will dispose of it in a HIPPA-certified disposal bin. There are two hospitals with emergency rooms within a few miles of the campground: YMCA campground. Henry Ford Genesys and Ascension Genesys. The camp has AEDs, First Aid supplies are available as well. Additionally, one of our retreat planning team members, Tina DeGeorge, is certified in First Aid, CPR and AED.
What do I do if someone is being rude and/or not following our UU principles? Who would I talk to?
Our Retreat Planning Committee Members wear bandana neckerchiefs throughout the Retreat to ensure they are easily identifiable to attendees. If you need any assistance at all during the Retreat, please speak to a planning team member!
What if I get sick at the last minute and cannot attend the Retreat? Would I be able to get a refund?
Our official cancellation policy is: “Cancellation received by 10/2/26 will be refunded, less $25 admin fee. Cancellation and refund requests after this date shall be at the discretion of the Retreat Planning Committee.”