| Planning a retreat for a Christian church group can | | | | sound system. |
| easily be done on a tight budget, with a little | | | | 6. If you are planning a Christian retreat with a |
| creativity and a bit of elbow grease. Follow the | | | | theme, and you wish to have decorations, |
| steps below in planning and you are sure to have | | | | remember to check your church inventory for |
| a wonderful time. | | | | decorations that had been previously purchased |
| 1. Choose a setting that is close to home. | | | | and stored away. |
| Gasoline costs can be shared by carpools. There | | | | 7. If you are planning to have meals served at |
| is no need to stop to buy a meal on the way. | | | | your Christian retreat, why not choose to skip |
| Have travelers pack a snack for the road trip. | | | | the first evening's dinner and bring hot dogs to |
| 2. Also choose a center that allows you to bring in | | | | roast over the campfire. (This is a great ice |
| your own food. Prepare meals in bulk prior to | | | | breaker too!) |
| the retreat and bring them with you. Or ask | | | | 8. Work with the camp director to see where |
| everyone to bring some food for a potluck dinner. | | | | you can opt to cut costs. Christian charity is |
| 3. Search for speakers that volunteer their time, | | | | known to be extended for retreat planning on a |
| or ask your local pastor to be your guest | | | | budget. Perhaps you can opt out of the linen |
| speaker. | | | | service that the camp customarily provides. Ask |
| 4. If you need to purchase supplies like | | | | your retreat attendees to bring sleeping bags and |
| notebooks, decorations, or candles, make a list of | | | | their own pillows instead. Can your group |
| all the supplies needed in planning your Christian | | | | volunteer one hour per day on work crew at |
| retreat, and distribute the list to your church. | | | | camp, in order to offset the cost for your |
| Ask for donations, which can be tax deductible. | | | | group? Find out if there are any "scholarship" |
| 5. Rather than paying a band to play for your | | | | funds available through the retreat center itself. |
| worship time, consider making a CD mix of | | | | Often these camps have yearly donors that |
| favorite praise songs. Bring along a portable | | | | support the camp. |