Hi, my name is Abby, the administrative assistant for Pioneer & Rimrock Camps and Retreat Centers!
I’m a 21-year-old college student with more student loans to my name than pennies. I have to check my bank account before I buy groceries. I’m not in a position to spend money on things I don’t need, but I firmly believe that retreats are worth the money.
Last spring, I went to our Women’s Retreat at the Pioneer Lodge. I was able to go because the retreat coincided with my spring break. Instead of browsing Pinterest or sleeping in till noon, I turned my cell phone on airplane mode and spent a weekend reading books, taking hikes and fellowshipping with women from all over South Dakota in one of the most beautiful places on earth.
Why was this retreat worth the money? Because I accomplished more by resting and unplugging than I normally do on a workday. I read an entire book. I took a hike, saw a coyote running through the valley and got thigh-deep in melting snow. I had time to take a nap, meet more than 15 other women and spend time soaking in the scriptures. Yeah, I was retreating from my regular life, but that was the point. And I have never felt so productive, relaxed and rejuvenated.
We all know that camp is powerful. When we think of those powerful experiences, we’re usually imagining summer sun, sleeping in cabins and tubing down the creek. But retreats carry that same power. Camp isn’t just about the season or how long you stay, it’s about the experience and atmosphere itself.
So yes, retreats are worth the money, even if you’re a broke college student like me. In fact, they’re especially worth the money if your life can be a bit stressful. Our bodies were made to rest. That’s why God rested on the seventh day.
What are you waiting for? Register for our Women’s Retreat or Men’s Retreat today!