I love this! I’ve been hosting women’s running retreats for the past eight years, while it’s not a writing retreat per se, we do a lot of journaling! I’ve stepped away from that business, but I learned so much hosting and facilitating these events. Your advice is spot on and I would add a few more notes: 1) your business insurance likely does not cover overnight events. You can easily apply for temp insurance that covers the weekend event. It’s beneficial just in case something happens and your waiver isn’t air tight. 2) the addition of an opening and closing ceremony will bring the group together and make the impact of the retreat longer lasting.
Great advice. I've been running women's retreats for 32 years and writing retreats for 23 years, and yes food first! and also no booze. Made that mistake once and that was all it took. Also the venue may have insurance so you don't need your own - check. Can save you money. And did you say anything about COVID policy? That's become a necessary. Sad face. Also I would say very few people put enough time into retreat design. A good reteeat design is everything. :)
Wow, this is so great and so comprehensive, Courtney. And huge thanks for naming the "alcohol issue." As a sober person, I would not attend a retreat where alcohol was present. (I recognize not all sober folks feel this way. But if I'm personally choosing a retreat, it will not be one with alcohol.)
Thank you for this--I’m simultaneously laughing to myself since I so relate--especially around the food part that stalls (before hiring a chef!), the grant writing--no way, no how. You offer such an excellent overview with stories of the scope of necessary must-dos and decisions--I’m delighted and the timing is perfect as I’m reevaluating through my own pivot of owning a lodge, offering retreats, looking into the future, evaluating the past.
I will definitely review the application and further refine that, so it’s even clearer what the offering is and is not, and helping people self-select with greater clarity. And 💯 to creating the vibe through the application process and description. I’d not thought of a paywall to apply--that’s a helpful tip.
I’m rambling, and full of gratitude for the wisdom you offer in this post. Made my day. I especially thrive in designing and facilitating retreats and have for 30 years in a variety of settings, contexts and lengths. At 60 I know my superpower is not all the logistics & meals, so hiring someone who delights in that aspect or outsourcing it is something that’s become so clear I must do--it then leaves me free to joyfully do what I do best! Thank you for this unexpected and timely spark to my own best future as I step into a few hours of visioning and letting-go this morning.
Thank you for, as usual, being so detailed and informative! I've long loved retreats (mostly DIY by myself following much of Jennifer Louden's work). I now have a mountain house in a beautiful location and, after inviting a group of friends for an informal woman's retreat recently, I've toyed with inviting others because it's such a peaceful place and I love sharing the space. I've searched for more detailed info and hadn't found much that was very helpful until this landed in my inbox...and this is the reality check I needed! Maybe at some point, but definitely not anytime soon.
Omg you’re so lucky to have a husband doing your taxes. I’m so jealous.
This was fascinating. A non-profit seems like a lot of trouble unless it has a major dual tax purpose. Do you rent it out the rest of the year for profit, but then write off the earnings with the non-profit’s operational costs? Or mark the rent as a donation to the non-profit who is “renting” it from you?
Though I guess it’s nice to be able to take donations.
Idk I’m too money oriented to do anything that’s this much work just to help other writers. You’re perhaps a saint!
I love this! I’ve been hosting women’s running retreats for the past eight years, while it’s not a writing retreat per se, we do a lot of journaling! I’ve stepped away from that business, but I learned so much hosting and facilitating these events. Your advice is spot on and I would add a few more notes: 1) your business insurance likely does not cover overnight events. You can easily apply for temp insurance that covers the weekend event. It’s beneficial just in case something happens and your waiver isn’t air tight. 2) the addition of an opening and closing ceremony will bring the group together and make the impact of the retreat longer lasting.
Great advice. I've been running women's retreats for 32 years and writing retreats for 23 years, and yes food first! and also no booze. Made that mistake once and that was all it took. Also the venue may have insurance so you don't need your own - check. Can save you money. And did you say anything about COVID policy? That's become a necessary. Sad face. Also I would say very few people put enough time into retreat design. A good reteeat design is everything. :)
Wow, this is so great and so comprehensive, Courtney. And huge thanks for naming the "alcohol issue." As a sober person, I would not attend a retreat where alcohol was present. (I recognize not all sober folks feel this way. But if I'm personally choosing a retreat, it will not be one with alcohol.)
Thank you for this--I’m simultaneously laughing to myself since I so relate--especially around the food part that stalls (before hiring a chef!), the grant writing--no way, no how. You offer such an excellent overview with stories of the scope of necessary must-dos and decisions--I’m delighted and the timing is perfect as I’m reevaluating through my own pivot of owning a lodge, offering retreats, looking into the future, evaluating the past.
I will definitely review the application and further refine that, so it’s even clearer what the offering is and is not, and helping people self-select with greater clarity. And 💯 to creating the vibe through the application process and description. I’d not thought of a paywall to apply--that’s a helpful tip.
I’m rambling, and full of gratitude for the wisdom you offer in this post. Made my day. I especially thrive in designing and facilitating retreats and have for 30 years in a variety of settings, contexts and lengths. At 60 I know my superpower is not all the logistics & meals, so hiring someone who delights in that aspect or outsourcing it is something that’s become so clear I must do--it then leaves me free to joyfully do what I do best! Thank you for this unexpected and timely spark to my own best future as I step into a few hours of visioning and letting-go this morning.
Thank you for, as usual, being so detailed and informative! I've long loved retreats (mostly DIY by myself following much of Jennifer Louden's work). I now have a mountain house in a beautiful location and, after inviting a group of friends for an informal woman's retreat recently, I've toyed with inviting others because it's such a peaceful place and I love sharing the space. I've searched for more detailed info and hadn't found much that was very helpful until this landed in my inbox...and this is the reality check I needed! Maybe at some point, but definitely not anytime soon.
As someone who would like to start hosting writing retreats, this is super helpful!
Another full-time job. Almost. Thanks for the clarity!
Omg you’re so lucky to have a husband doing your taxes. I’m so jealous.
This was fascinating. A non-profit seems like a lot of trouble unless it has a major dual tax purpose. Do you rent it out the rest of the year for profit, but then write off the earnings with the non-profit’s operational costs? Or mark the rent as a donation to the non-profit who is “renting” it from you?
Though I guess it’s nice to be able to take donations.
Idk I’m too money oriented to do anything that’s this much work just to help other writers. You’re perhaps a saint!