help me help me help me

GammaGirl1219 · #1 07-27-2004, 11:18 AM

hey im sure there is proably another thred on this but i didnt really have time to look so if there is then just let me know. Anyway, one of my jobs for my chapter is to run a retreat however i really need some good ideas for one. I already ran one last semester and though i thought i did ok, however one of my sisters and i were talking the other day and she said flat out why cant retreats been fun? it always seems like we do the same boring stuff everytime and waste our time. Needless to say after that i start to get nervous about planning the retreat for this semester. I really hope there might be a way to change her and other sisters opinons (yeah i cant spell) about how a retreat is a good thing.I need ideas for activities and like an overall schedule. Oh gosh Please help !!!!!

Kate

winneythepooh7 · #2 07-27-2004, 11:44 AM

One of my sister's in undergrad, her parents owned a home at Hunter Mountain, which is a ski resort area in upstate NY. We went there for the weekend. It was a lot of fun. Sisters who wanted to went skiing, sisters who couldn't ski or were afraid to ski, went sleigh riding. The weather wasn't too cold that weekend so we went on a hike through the woods. It was nice. It was also a bonding experience because I remember one of my sister's hurt her leg while we were hiking and everyone came together to help her. It became tradition for awhile that we would all go there every semester with the new members to "bond". See if anyone in your org has family that can "lend" you a house for the weekend.

gphib_95 · #3 07-27-2004, 01:19 PM

For one of our retreats, we went to a sisters lake house. We went swimming and skiing. Some people just laid out and got a tan. We grilled hotdogs and hamburgers. For one of our sisterhood activities everyone had to bring a plain white pillow case. Then we all decorated the pillowcase with paint markers and everyone signed each others. It was lots of fun.

bluefish81 · #4 07-27-2004, 07:14 PM

What are some of the things that you have done in the past that weren't well received? Maybe hearing some of those ideas will help .

EXColony · #5 07-27-2004, 08:19 PM

Just a little fun...

I just finished the first retreat that I had to plan. For us, the number one thing to remember was free time was FREE TIME, try not to dictate what they will be doing.

Secondly, I had everyone bring a joke - I really had no particular reason, but in the end it helped. It helped break the ice, it helped form new bonds, and they were just fun.

So here's my joke

What kind of bees give milk?

BOObies!

BabyP · #6 07-28-2004, 12:04 AM

go to LV

or to the beach

Janerz222 · #7 07-28-2004, 12:23 AM

Not to be too intellectual about it, but. . .
Before planning it, think (and talk) about why you are having a retreat.

Is it just for fun? For bonding? For dealing with issues? For goal-setting for the year? For gearing up for recruitment? Something else entirely?

If retreats haven't been well received in the past, differing expectations may be partly to blame. Some sisters might hear the word retreat and think fun, free time, vacation. Obviously, if it's a working retreat, they'll be greatly disappointed.

Figure out what you want the retreat to accompish (yes, fun is an acceptable accomplishment) and that will make it easier to plan and to set expectations.

BabyP · #8 07-28-2004, 05:00 PM

thats true, my mom's insurance office they give trips to the best selling agents but they practically have everything listed, we just go to the food, party and the required meetings but mostly everything we just did on our own (we blew off their schedule) cuz if you are in hawaii or las vegas, you want to explore and have fun. I did agree with what they did, they had sightseeing tours. before the trip like a few weeks, they had options on what you want to do based on what you prefer like 1)shopping - on a popular strip or open area, 2)museum or classic tour in horse carriages, 3)snorkeling and there was something called "beach olympic" for those who wants to participate, for those who dont, they will just go around on their own. make sure to have night of dancing. Also they let us know when was meeting, what is dress code, its best to let the people know a bit ahead of time. Meeting was usually in morning over breakfast which kills two birds with one stone and had awards committee so if you wanted your award you better be at the meeting. At the end of some meetings, they had some entertainment brought in like a comedy mime, comedian, acrobats, a band, karoake or a few game contests (it depends on location also). PM me for ideas. the comedy was a big hit!!! sometimes the executive officer had skits and it was so funny to see someone in charge act so silly.
they even take you to different restaruants and you have greek one night, jamaican the next and for meetings make sure to have hors devours. trust me its really appreciated. for big groups, I would recommend Morrocan food, its a five or six course meal and gorgeous decorations (good photo ops) plus they usually have belly dancer.

GammaGirl1219 · #9 07-29-2004, 07:19 PM

Thanks so much for your advice so far! I guess i should clarify just a lil so that u guys can understand more of where im coming from. First, i guess u would say the purpose of the retreat is bonding and some business. Second, I would love to go away somewhere but we have a small budget and about sixty girls. If anyone knows of anywhere we could go in the NJ, PA,DE, or even NY area for pretty cheap that would fit us all i would greatly appricate it. Also, if you know of any good games or bonding things to do that would help too. Thanks so much i dont know where id be with out my GCers.

kate

oncelurked · #10 07-29-2004, 08:26 PM

Ask your sisters if one of them's family would be willing to lend their house or vacation property for a weekend.
Or, if you and your sisters aren't opposed to being out in the elements, go camping! It can be cheap and totally fun. Plus, you get to make s'mores.
However, I highly recommend putting the camping idea to a vote, since not all girls are the outdoors type and since the weather may be somewhat discouraging depending on when you plan to have the retreat.

Other than that, I'd suggest a round of I Never or two truths and a lie - no better way to find out some new and interesting fact about a sister

you might want to let them know beforehand, though, because by the time I got to my senior year I had to think long and hard for facts few would know and to come up with an unbelievable truth

Kevin · #11 07-30-2004, 08:32 AM

Alright.. first, change that text color. Hurts my eyes to read. Have to highlight it with the mouse to see what you're trying to say.

Second, a good retreat becomes a good retreat only with good planning. You need to have tons of great activities planned. Go to your campus library and look grab a workshop activity book. It'll have tons of great stuff in it.

Another great thing to do would be a ropes course.

I'm not sure how a sorority would react to paintballing, but where my group is concerned, our new member educator is planning a paintball game with his next new member class and that's looking to be a kickass activity.