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Planning Tools
Packing List
Our accommodations are modern and comfortable, but you will find the following helpful during your stay with us:
- Clothing for all weather (nights can be chilly, even during the summer)
- Sleeping bag and pillow (or sheets and blankets)
- Towel, soap, shampoo, toothbrush, and toothpaste
- Sunscreen and insect repellent
- Flashlight (central areas are illuminated, but remote areas are very dark at night)
- If you wish to ride horses, long jeans and sturdy shoes (i.e. hiking boots, running shoes, etc.)
Room Assignment Tool
The Cascades Room Assignment Tool was designed specifically to help guests create room assignments while staying in Cascades lodging facilities. This program allows you to incorporate roommate requests as well as see the layout of each lodge at Cascades.
Helpful Hints
Reaching and Exceeding Your Minimum Numbers:
- Invite a sister-church to join your event.
- Combine with other ministry teams (i.e. prayer teams, leadership councils, office administrators, etc.).
- Mentor younger adults or teens by inviting them to come to men’s or women’s retreats.
- Use this as an opportunity for outreach to parents of children in kids’ clubs/Sunday school.
- Encourage church members to invite “un-churched” friends as another means for outreach.
- Invite newer church attendees and visitors as a way of sharing with them your desire for all to come and experience God.
- Partner with the junior high or high school youth ministries (meet in separate buildings if necessary).
- Designate some rooms for private “getaway” weekends for couples who may not be involved in weekend programming.
- Recruit volunteers to fill roles at church, in order to enable church staff to register and attend events.
- Engage your church’s prayer team, asking them to pray for your event and attendees.
Budgeting and Pricing for Success:
- Include activities costs in pricing for all retreat attendants.
- Pad your prices a bit to include some money for scholarships or drop-outs.
- Include a small program fee to cover decorations, snacks, and other materials needed for your event.
- Be creative in fundraising to pay for speakers, bring down costs for guests, or add to your program budget. Try things like bake sales, car washes, rummage sales, auctions, talent shows, etc.
Promoting Your Retreat:
- Cascades has a unique, beautiful, and pristine setting. Use slideshows during worship services and photographs in your promotional materials to attract people to sign up for your retreat by showing them the facilities and activities that Cascades has to offer.
- Share a sample menu with potential retreat attendants to showcase the exceptional food that we provide to all guests.
- Ask someone from your group who has previously attended Cascades to share their experience with your church’s congregation.
- Describe what you will be doing at your event and what your lodge will be like – some people get more excited about an event when they know more of the little details!
- Share activity options – including paintball, zip lines, climbing wall, and more to add value to your retreat in the eyes of your guests.
- Keep the church updated on how the registrations are going: who is signed up, how many spaces are left, etc.
Cascades Site Maps
Orient yourself to our 1,000 acre facility by downloading the Cascades site maps. Locate important sites including your lodge, the Nisqually Center dining room, the waterfront, and more! Enjoy a simplified “Lodges Map” that focuses on the buildings and amenities of our entire facility, or go exploring using the “Trail Map” and enjoy the beautiful wilderness surrounding Cascades.
Budgeting Tool
The budgeting tool can be used to successfully budget for your event. Calculate just how much you need to plan on for each attendee, allowing funds for extra activities, snacks, speakers, and more! Download the Excel file below.
