High Peak Conference Center Blog

7 Must-Do Activities for a Women's Ministry Retreat

One of the goals of every ministry leader is to help facilitate relationships that provide a much-needed community for the people in your group. The importance of having friends in our lives who we trust to walk with us through the best and worst of times cannot be overstated. Of course, forming those bonds and learning to trust people is easier said than done. 

Scheduling a retreat is a great way to help jumpstart relationships and integrate new people into your women’s ministry. If you are planning a women’s ministry retreat near Rocky Mountain National Park, here are a few must-do activities to help your group have fun and grow together. 

 

Before You Plan Your Retreat Activities

Before you jump into planning your activities, here are a few steps to take to help ensure a successful retreat:

  1. Start planning your retreat as soon as possible. 
  2. Determine your goals and objectives for your retreat.
  3. Choose a beautiful location. 
  4. Make sure your retreat facility has comfortable lodging and meeting spaces. 
  5. Start planning transportation and food early. Do not underestimate the importance of good food. 
  6. Pray about a theme for the meeting times. 
  7. Begin advertising your retreat as soon as possible. 

High Peak Camp is located in Estes Park near RNP. Our campus has comfortable accommodations, great meeting spaces, and quick access to the Rockies. That means we are not at all short on awesome activities. 

Seven Activities to Do During Your Women’s Ministry Retreat

1) Schedule Journaling Time and Quiet Time

While retreating together is an opportunity for people to get to know each other, it is also a time for people to connect with God. Build some time into your retreat schedule for women to be able to spend time reading Scripture, praying, and journaling individually. It would be helpful to include some prompts related to your theme. 

2) Take a Hike

It is impossible to come to the Rockies and not take a hike through God’s beautiful creation. At High Peak Camp, we have trails on campus that provide beautiful views and allow our guests to experience nature. Some of the other nearby hikes we enjoy include:

Fish Creek Trail and Lakeshore Loop: This is a 2.3-mile loop trail that offers scenic views of the area as well and is easily accessible to and from downtown Estes Park.

Lily Mountain Trail: This is a 3.5-mile out-and-back trail that climbs 1,200 feet to an outstanding vantage point.

Twin Sisters Peak Trail: This 7.5-mile out-and-back journey to the top of Twin Sisters Peak is a tough 2,500-foot ascent. Of course, if your women’s group succeeds in reaching the summit, they will be rewarded with breathtaking vistas.

Lily Lake to Estes Cone Loop: This hike is a combination of an out-and-back and a loop, although you can cut the 8-mile hike in half by skipping Lily Lake. By the time you reach about 2,6000 feet, you'll have spectacular views of Estes Park and RNP.

Grianttrack Mountain: This is a 7.5-mile out-and-back with 2,800-feet of climbing and more incredible views. 

In our area, the hiking options vary from nature walks to challenging day-trip-style treks. There is something for everyone in your women’s ministry. 

3) Small Group Meeting Time

If you have a larger group of women (especially 20+ participants), it is important to build some time into your schedule to break into smaller groups. Here are a few tips for dividing your larger group into smaller groups:

  • Combine new members with women who have been in your group for many years. 
  • Make sure each small group has a mix of extroverts and introverts. You might mix up Enneagram numbers to balance them. 
  • Provide questions that stir conversations. A few yes-or-know questions might be appropriate, but let most of your questions be discussion-based. 
  • Allow ample time for conversation. If discussion is flowing, you may have to abandon some of your questions.

4) Competitive Games

One of the fun ways to help break the ice for retreat participants is competition. Many retreat facilities like ours will have activities that help facilitate fun, low-pressure competition. Some of our competitive games include:

  • Disc Golf/Frisbee Golf
  • Miniature Golf
  • Broomball
  • Gaga Ball
  • Various Sports

Competition may not be for everyone, but it can be a helpful tool for building community during your women’s retreat. 

5) Team Building and Adventure Activities 

In addition to competitive activities, we offer a range of team-building and individual adventure activities that help get people out of their comfort zones and learn to trust others in their group. 

  • Low Ropes/High Ropes: Our ropes course is a fun and challenging way for individuals and groups to step out of their comfort zones. 
  • Climbing Wall: Like our ropes courses, the climbing wall presents challenges to the participating women in your group. Reaching the top instills a sense of confidence and accomplishment they may not feel in their daily lives. Those who are not actively climbing are cheering on their friends.
  • Zip Line: Always thrilling; it is impossible to take on the zip line without a smile. 
  • Much More: From ice skating to trout fishing to arts and crafts, there is something for everyone and every team.

Women’s Ministry Retreats at High Peak Camp

High Peak Camp is a Christian camp operated by The Salvation Army Intermountain Division. We provide comfortable, well-appointed accommodations, productive meeting spaces, and an abundance of activities at our beautiful facility. If you would like more information about hosting your women’s ministry retreat at High Peak Camp, reach out to us today. 

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