Retreat Recreation Facilities at Refreshing Mountain in Lancaster, PA

Access to these facilities is dictated by your schedule.  We do not just have “free time” where any group can use the spaces without reserving them. This allows for a more pleasant experience for your group.

Several months before your event, Guest Services will ask you to submit a preliminary schedule and on that schedule, you need to delineate the spaces you want to use at any given time.  For instance, you might write “Team Games” on your schedule, but we need to know if you want to use the baseball field, soccer field, a gym, or some other space for that activity. Indicating to us the location you want as part of the planning process will ease the planning process.

Once we have your preliminary schedule, we will compare it to other activities happening at the same time to make sure there is no conflict between groups.

Here are a few guidelines for creating your preliminary schedule:

Submit it early.  2-3 months before your retreat is recommended.
Make sure to get your meal times from Guest Services before you build your schedule, that way you can build your other requests around your mealtimes.

In general, for spaces like gyms, sports fields, etc, limit requests to 2-hour blocks of time, morning, afternoon, and evening. These are recommended time slots that we commonly use for these spaces:

8am – 10am OR 10am – 12pm
1pm – 3pm OR 3pm – 5pm
6pm – 8pm OR 8pm – 10pm OR 10pm – 12am

If you would like to have times different from this and/or more time within a bracket, feel free to note this for Guest Services.  We start with these parameters to make sure all groups have the option at some time, but once all of the schedules are set, we are happy to go back through and add more time in for you, if there are slots still open.  Talk to Guests Services about this more.

On your schedule, we appreciate it if you can include the text “Please be prompt” at each mealtime. See the FAQ on meal times for more details on this.

On your departing day, please make sure to list your “LODGING CHECKOUT TIME” as this is likely different from your departure time. Check your contract and/or with Guest Services, but generally, checkout of lodging is 9 AM (or right after breakfast) on your departing day.

Learn More

Yes, you are welcome to use the pool for baptisms.  The pond is NOT an option due to safety concerns of the muddy bottom and, in general, the stagnant, untreated water quality is great for fish but not for humans!

Baptisms at the pool need to be outside of the Community Pool Hours.  During the summer, this typically means that they need to wrap up prior to 11:00 AM in the morning or start after 7:00 PM at night.  We do not charge for this service but we do need to know ahead of time so that we can schedule it accordingly.  Talk with Guest Services if you would like to plan a baptism as part of your retreat.

Learn More

For groups that are on-site from Memorial Day to Labor Day, the pool is included in your stay, during the Community Pool Times (click here for a schedule)

• MODEST SWIMMING SUITS. Swimwear must be a ONE-PIECE SUIT FOR WOMEN AND GIRLS (ALL AGES) or else an opaque shirt must be worn as a cover-up. Certain tankini-style suits are permitted provided that no midriff is showing at any time. BOXER STYLE SUITS FOR MEN AND BOYS (i.e. no SPEEDO suits). Light-weight clothing may be worn in the pool (i.e. mesh shorts, cotton t-shirts), but no jeans, sweat pants, or full-length dresses are to be worn in the pool.
• WET PLAYGROUND. No rough play or climbing on the pipes (there may be little children in this area).
• WADING AREA. No shoulder chicken fights. No more than 3 persons in a “dunk party”.
• DIVING AREA. Face-forward stunts only. One bounce and off.
• WATERSLIDE. One person at a time. Feet first on the back only. You must be able to swim to use the slides.
• CHAPERONES. Groups with children/teens must have Pool Monitors (adults/chaperones) assigned to the pool area to assist the lifeguards with enforcement of these and other posted rules.
• IN GENERAL. No swimming in the roped-off areas, no foul language, and please be courteous of others.

Learn More

Yes. Our hourly prices are discounted and when you add on activities such as ziplines, climbing tower, wildlife programs, etc. to your overnight retreat group you are eligible for an additional “Advance Planner” discount of up to 25% off.

Learn More