You’re planning a church retreat, and you’ve started looking for a place that will work for your group. Maybe it’s something you do every year, or maybe this is the first one you’ve planned.
Either way, it doesn’t take long before you start looking at dates, places to stay, meals, and everything you want to fit into the weekend. And somewhere along the way, you have to answer the big question:
What is this going to cost?
More specifically, what will it cost per person? Because that number affects almost everything else. It helps you decide what your church can cover, what you’ll need to charge, and whether the retreat you’re planning is realistic for the people you want to come.
How Much Does a Church Retreat Cost Per Person?
There isn’t one standard price for a church retreat because the experience can vary so much from one retreat center to another. Bunk-style lodging typically costs less than hotel-style rooms, and cabins with bathrooms inside typically cost more than cabins with bathhouses nearby.
The biggest single factor is where your group sleeps. Here is how the options usually compare:
Meals and activities are another big part of the cost. Some retreat centers include them in their pricing, while others charge for them separately.
That’s why the lowest rate you find isn’t always the least expensive option. One retreat center may quote lodging only, while another includes several things your group will need.
To get a realistic retreat cost per person, you need to know what’s included and what you’ll still need to pay for separately.
| Type of lodging | Relative cost | Usually includes | Often a good fit for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day retreat, no overnight stay | Lowest | Meeting space, meals and activities | Planning days, training days, staff and elder retreats |
| Bunk-style cabins, bathhouse nearby | Lowest overnight option | Bunks, shared bathhouse, bring your own bedding | Youth groups, larger groups keeping the price down |
| Mini-lodges and cabins, bathrooms inside | Moderate | Fewer people per room, private bathrooms | Small groups, men’s and women’s retreats |
| Upgraded lodges, hotel-style rooms | Highest | Bedding and towels provided, more comfort and privacy | Women’s retreats, senior adults, leadership teams and guest speakers |
What Goes Into the Cost of a Church Retreat?
When you compare retreat center pricing, don’t look at the rate without considering the experience that comes with it. Bunk-style cabins with a bathhouse nearby may be a great fit for a youth retreat, where keeping the cost low may be more important than having extra comforts. A women’s retreat or senior adult group may be willing to pay more for comfortable beds, fewer people per room, and in-cabin bathrooms.
The same applies to meals, meeting spaces, and activities. Look at what’s included in the price, but also consider the quality of the experience and what your group will expect. A higher retreat cost per person may be worth it if the accommodations and amenities are a better fit for the people you’re bringing.
Look Beyond the Retreat Center Rate
Once you know what the retreat center price includes, you can build the rest of your budget. Your quoted rate usually covers most of the weekend expenses, but your church will likely have other expenses to account for.
Depending on your retreat, those could include:
- Transportation
- Speaker or worship leader expenses
- Program materials
- Shirts or participant gifts
- Snacks or refreshments not provided by the retreat center
- Additional activities
- Insurance or administrative expenses
Once you have those numbers, you can calculate the church retreat cost on a per-person basis.
For example, if your retreat center costs total $8,000 for 80 people, that’s $100 per person. If transportation, programming, supplies, and other expenses add another $2,000, your actual retreat cost per person is $125.
That $125 is the number that matters when you’re deciding what to charge participants, how much your church can subsidize, and whether you need to make any adjustments to the retreat.
Church group retreat lodging at Emmanuel Pines Christian retreat center in Prescott, Arizona
What Affects the Price You Pay a Retreat Center?
Once you start getting quotes from Christian retreat centers, you’ll find that several things can affect the price you’re quoted. Your dates, length of stay, group size, and how you use the available lodging can all make a difference.
Knowing where you have flexibility can help you get the experience your group needs while staying within your budget.
When and How Long You Stay
Many retreat centers offer a lower nightly rate when groups stay multiple nights. If your schedule allows for a three-, four-, or five-night retreat, ask whether the nightly rate changes as your stay gets longer.
Your dates can matter just as much. Popular retreat weekends may carry higher rates, while off-season dates or weekday retreats may be priced lower. If your group has some flexibility, ask whether moving your retreat to a different weekend or time of year would change the price.
Retreat centers also typically have set arrival and departure times so they can prepare for the next group. Check those times as you plan your schedule so you know how much time you’ll actually have on-site.
Lodging Options
Once you’ve found a retreat center you like, ask whether it offers more than one lodging option for your group. You may be able to choose between more affordable bunk-style housing and upgraded accommodations with fewer people per room, more comfortable beds, or bathrooms inside.
You may also be able to use a combination of lodging. Your youth group might stay in bunk-style cabins while adult leaders, speakers, or guests with accessibility needs stay in accommodations that offer more privacy or convenience.
Take a look at the lodging options at Emmanuel Pines to see how different types of accommodations can work for different groups and budgets.
Tip: If the retreat charges for bedding and towels, bringing your own is one of the easiest ways to save.
Group Size and Room Occupancy
How many people you bring matters, but so does how many people you put in each room or cabin. Housing 16 youth in a bunk-style cabin usually costs much less per person than putting two adults in each lodge- or hotel-style room.
If your group prefers hotel-style accommodations but needs to keep the price manageable, ask about room occupancy. Putting three or four people in a room instead of two may lower the retreat cost per person while still giving your group the comfort and amenities they want.
Most retreat centers also have minimum group sizes or minimum charges, particularly when your group is reserving an entire cabin, lodge, or meeting space. Be realistic about your numbers when you agree to a minimum. If you guarantee 50 people and only 40 come, you may still have to pay for 50. When you spread costs across fewer people, your per-person cost rises.
Before setting your participant price, make sure you understand the minimum you’re committing to and how changes in your final attendance will affect what your group pays.
Meals
Most retreat packages include a set number of meals based on the length of your stay, but you may be able to add meals depending on your schedule. If your group is arriving early on Friday, for example, you may want to add dinner. A later departure could mean adding Sunday lunch.
Ask about the meals themselves, too. Look at sample menus and find out what is typically served. The type and variety of food a retreat center provides can affect the price, so the lowest rate doesn’t always mean the best value for your group.
Also consider what happens between meals. Are snacks included? Is coffee available throughout the day? Is there a camp store or another place where participants can buy snacks and drinks? Those small details can make a difference, especially when your group is on-site for several days.
Ask about dietary needs before you book. Find out how the kitchen handles food allergies, gluten-free or vegetarian meals, other dietary restrictions, and whether there are additional charges for accommodations.
Look for What’s Included Beyond Lodging and Meals
After you compare lodging and meals, look at the rest of the quote. This is where two Christian retreat centers with similar per-person rates can start to look very different.
Ask what your group can use without an additional charge. Is meeting space included? What about basic A/V equipment? Do recreational areas and activities cost extra, or are they included?
Then look for the less obvious expenses. Depending on the retreat center, you may want to ask about:
- Meeting rooms and additional breakout spaces
- A/V equipment
- Recreation and activities
- Linens and towels
- Meeting-room setup and cleanup
- Staff support
- Parking
- Additional fees or service charges
A quote that looks higher at first may include several things you’d otherwise have to pay for separately. Compare what your group will actually receive for the price rather than choosing based on the initial per-person rate.
How Can You Keep a Church Retreat Affordable?
Keeping the cost down doesn’t have to mean giving up the experience you want for your group. Start with what matters most to your group, then look for places where you have flexibility.
A few ways to keep the retreat cost per person within a budget you set:
- Consider different dates. An off-season weekend or weekday retreat may cost less.
- Adjust room occupancy. If your group wants hotel-style lodging, putting three or four people in a room instead of two can lower the per-person cost.
- Use what’s already included. Before paying for additional activities or programming, find out what your retreat package already includes.
- Keep the extras intentional. Shirts, decorations, giveaways, outside speakers, and extra snacks can add up quickly. Decide which ones will genuinely add to the retreat.
Finally, build your budget before setting the registration price. Once you know your expected attendance and actual cost per person, you can decide what participants will pay and whether your church wants to subsidize part of the cost, offer scholarships, or fundraise to make the retreat more accessible.
Questions to Ask a Christian Retreat Center About Cost
Before you book, take the time to understand what your quoted price includes. These questions can help:
- What is the estimated cost per person for our group and dates?
- What type of lodging does that price include, and how many people will be in each room or cabin?
- How many meals are included, and can we add meals if needed?
- What meeting or activity space is included with our stay?
- What is the minimum number of participants we will be financially responsible for?
- Which activities and recreational amenities are included, and which have an additional charge?
- Are linens, A/V equipment, meeting-room setup, and other amenities included?
- Are there any additional fees that aren’t reflected in the quoted per-person price?
- How much is the deposit, when are payments due, and when do we need to provide our final attendance?
- What happens if our attendance is lower than the number we originally reserved for?
- What is the cancellation policy, and are any payments or deposits refundable?
- How will different dates, a longer stay, or a different lodging configuration affect our rate?
Once you have these answers, you can compare Christian retreat centers based on what your group will receive and what you’ll pay.
Planning a Church Retreat at Emmanuel Pines
If you’re looking for a Christian retreat center in Arizona, Emmanuel Pines is located in Prescott, surrounded by the pines and about 90 miles from Phoenix.
Your group brings the retreat program. You choose your speakers, worship, small groups, devotions, and how you want to spend your time together. We handle the lodging, meals, meeting space, and the details that come with hosting your group.
We also offer different lodging options and activities, so we can talk through what makes the most sense for your group and your budget.
Explore retreats at Emmanuel Pines to learn more about bringing your group to camp. When you’re ready, tell us a little about your group, the dates you’re considering, and what you’re looking for. We’ll help you review your options and understand what your retreat will cost.
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