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"It's the nicest day on earth."
5th Grader, Kindness Retreat

Honor Retreat Prep Pack

WHAT TO DO FOR A SUCCESSFUL RETREAT

Now that your retreat date is set, please complete each item on the checklist below and read the Retreat Overview to ensure the success of your retreat. If you have any questions, please call Youth Frontiers at 1.888.992.0222

1. READ RETREAT OVERVIEW

2. BOOK A FACILITY

  • A large open room with about 1200 square feet per 100 people.
  • It is preferable to have an off-site location.

3. CREATE SMALL GROUPS

  • Make nametags for staff that include their first name in large font and a small group number.
  • Break staff into small groups of 5-7 people.

4. PLAN FOR FOOD AND SNACK

  • Half day morning retreats should have breakfast.
  • Half day afternoon retreats should have an afternoon snack.

5. INFORM TEACHERS

  • Communicate the expected events and activities to the teachers and staff prior to retreat (see sample memo at the bottom of this page).

6. LOCATION SUGGESTIONS

  • Several retreat locations are suggested below (see retreat locations at the bottom of this page)..

7. COMPLETE PRIORITY ONE FORM

  • Complete the form online at Priority One Form or fax a completed hard copy to Youth Frontiers at 952.922.2122.

Retreat Overview

Retreat Length

The Half Day Honor Retreat for faculty runs 3.5 - 4 hours.

Faculty Numbers

We recommend the number of faculty attending a retreat be under 300 participants. We have led the Honor Retreats for groups as small as ten and as large as 300. The dynamic of your retreat day will change depending on group size.

Retreat Talks

Retreat directors will give two talks during the Honor Retreat.

Small Groups

During the day your staff will break out into small groups. This gives the staff an opportunity to interact with staff members that they do not usually work with. It gives the staff time to have a more in depth discussion of the topics covered on the retreat.

Closing

A positive celebration ends the Honor Retreat day.

Booking a Facility

Location Selection

We strongly encourage you to hold your Honor Retreat for Faculty at a location away from your school campus. Retreats at a neutral location are more effective and are free from distractions. Ideal locations are nearby community centers, churches or synagogues, district headquarters, and hotels.

If you must stay at your school, please find a room that is free of distractions (e.g bells, announcements, students walking through etc.). School gyms are usually too big, have very poor acoustics, annoying buzzing from the lights and are unsatisfactory. Auditoriums with fixed seating are also unsatisfactory. Depending on the design, some cafeterias can work but are seldom as nice as an off-site location.

Location Logistics

The size of a room is an important factor when choosing a retreat location. The minimum size room should be 1,200 square feet for 100 people or less. Throughout the retreat the room will be used for a variety of large group activities that require room to move around, and small group activities where the groups will need to spread out.

Please provide the following in the retreat space:

  1. One chair per participant that can be moved, initially set up auditorium style.
  2. One eight-foot table (rectangle).
  3. Flip chart or easel with paper.
  4. Six prizes: these can be gift cards, nice gifts or gag gifts. Wrapping the prizes, although not required, is a nice touch. If your school cannot provide prizes Youth Frontiers, Inc. will, but please notify YF, in advance, so prizes can be procured.

Retreat Specifics

Please notify the staff at the facility that the sound at the retreat will be very loud. Since music is an important element of our retreats, we use a sound system to play live and recorded music throughout the day.

Please arrange to have the facility opened at least 45 minutes before the students arrive to allow the Youth Frontiers staff to set up.

Transportation

Faculty and staff usually drive themselves, but you may choose to hire a bus.

Please remember that transportation costs are paid by the school and are not included in the Youth Frontiers retreat fee.

Small Groups

One of the most important elements to our retreats is the small group discussion.

During the day the staff will break up into pre-assigned small groups multiple times for small group discussion. This allows the staff to talk more in depth about the topics covered on the retreat.

Before your retreat day, break the staff into groups of 5-7. Most schools have found that small group activities are most effective with diverse groups. Split up grade levels, subjects and job descriptions.

Please make names tags for all of the staff participating. Please have their first name and group number on their name tag. Be sure nametags are in at least 48 point type.

Please distribute name tags to staff prior to the retreat starting.

Food

Many of the Honor Retreats for Faculty that start first thing in the morning begin with a continental breakfast. Afternoon retreats require a mid-afternoon cookie/soft drink break.

Sample Memo to Staff

Memo

To: Staff

From: _________

Re: Honor Retreat for Faculty

We are excited about the upcoming Honor Retreat for Faculty to be presented by the staff of Youth Frontiers, Inc. Youth Frontiers has been working with schools for nearly 20 years, providing innovative workshops and retreats to both staff and students. During the 2005-2006 school year, Youth Frontiers worked with over 80,000 students and educators throughout the nation.

You can expect an invigorating day of spirited group mixers and inspiring discussions designed to build staff community in our school. Teachers made these comments on the Youth Frontiers Honor Retreat for Faculty:

"This was the best workshop I have ever attended. You made me feel energized and appreciated."

"Nice job! Fun! Refreshing!"

"Wonderful presentation, good pacing, excellent humor, engaging small & large group activities ."

The retreat is scheduled for _____________ (date) and will be held at ___________________ (place). Please arrive no later than___________(time). We will be finished at __________________ (time).

We look forward to seeing you on our Honor Retreat for Faculty.

Retreat Locations in the Twin Cities Metro Area

South Metro

  1. Rosemount Community Center: 651-322-6000
  2. Chaska Community Center: 952-448-5633

North Metro

  1. New Brighton Community Center: 651-638-2121
  2. Shoreview Community Center: 651-490-4700
  3. Brooklyn Center Community Center: 763-569-34051
  4. Faith Lutheran Church, Coon Rapids: 63-755-3530

West Metro

  1. Maple Grove Community Center: 763-494-6000
  2. YMCA Camp Ihduhapi: 763-479-1146

East Metro

  1. YMCA Camp St. Croix: 651-436-8428
  2. Maplewood Community Center: 651-779-3552