Retreat Planning Guide

Table of Contents

Questions to Consider

• Why should your organization have a retreat?
• When should your organization have a retreat?
• Who should participate?
• Who should facilitate the retreat?
• Where can you have a retreat?
• On-campus venues
• Off-campus venues
• Boise State University alcohol policy

How To Plan a Retreat

• Two Months Before
  • Determine the purpose of the retreat
  • Determine the length of the retreat
  • Determine the budget for the retreat
  • Determine where and when the retreat will take place
• One Month Before
  • Determine the format and develop an agenda for the retreat
  • Contact any outside resources (presenters) and confirm their participation
  • Fill out a Travel Request form and reserve a University vehicle (if needed)
  • Plan activities
  • Determine what supplies, materials and handouts you will need
• Two Weeks Before
  • Arrange for food
  • Arrange transportation
  • Inform participants of the details
• One Week Before
• One Day Before
• One Week After

What To Do At the Retreat

• Make introductions
• Make opening remarks
• Stick to the agenda
• Create a sense of teamwork
• Conduct work sessions
  • Less complex
  • More complex
• Keep records
• Conduct a closing activity
• Evaluate the retreat
• Clean up before you leave

Additional Resources

• On the Web
• In Print (available from the Student Activities Office)