<h1>
	Retreats at Au Sable &ndash; Great Lakes Campus</h1>
<p>
	<img alt="" class="img-right" src="{filedir_5}conferences-1.jpg" style="width: 182px; height: 119px;" />Au Sable offers weekend conferences and retreats for churches, youth groups, work staff groups, and community groups at our <a href="/courses/campuses/great_lakes/">Great Lakes Campus</a>. The natural beauty of our location features trails, lakes, and ponds for group activities or individual meditation. In the winter, snow shoeing, cross-country skiing, and broomball are favorite activities while in other seasons, visitors enjoy activities such as outdoor recreational activities (volleyball, basketball, frisbee, soccer, running, biking) bonfires, hikes, canoeing and kayaking, and meditation in nature, amongst others.</p>
<p>
	Our retreat program has three goals:</p>
<ol>
	<li>
		To give guests an opportunity to meet God in a personal, way through experiencing the beauty of His creation.</li>
	<li>
		To help guests learn more about the earth, nature and all that God has created.</li>
	<li>
		To achieve a greater awareness of everyone&rsquo;s responsibility as caretakers of this world.</li>
</ol>
<p>
	Our staff is willing to assist in integrating these stewardship themes into your retreat program through activities such as guided nature hikes and devotionals focused on stewardship.</p>
<h2>
	Facilities</h2>
<p>
	Dormitories: Au Sable can house up to 40 people in three dorms. Guests must bring their own sheets, blankets, pillows, and towels.<br />
	<br />
	Retreat House: We have a smaller retreat house on Big Twin Lake that can house up to 12 people for self-contained groups.&#8232;</p>
<p>
	<img alt="" class="img-left" src="{filedir_5}conferences-2.jpg" style="width: 145px; height: 95px;" />Lodge: We have a lodge that provides an excellent setting for worship services, communal activities, and meetings. &#8232;&#8232;Dining Hall: The dining hall serves hearty, healthy family style meals. We ask that the retreat group provide a crew of volunteers to do dishes after each meal.</p>
<h2>
	Recreational Opportunities</h2>
<p>
	Au Sable offers an abundance of outdoor recreation opportunities. Recreational activities are dependent upon the season. Au Sable has miles of trails, a large, open ball field, and beachfront property on Big Twin Lake. Winter activities include cross-country skiing on six miles of groomed ski trails, broom ball, sledding, and ice fishing. Spring and fall activities include volleyball, canoeing and kayaking on Big Twin Lake, hiking, soccer, ultimate frisbee, basketball, softball, running, biking, and tennis. Our Lodge has two fire places, a small kitchen, and tables for board games.</p>
<h2>
	Costs</h2>
<p>
	<em>Please call for pricing</em> (231) 587-8686.</p>
<h2>
	Scheduling</h2>
<p>
	&#8232;Groups may schedule their retreat for the months of January and February. A typical retreat begins Friday evening and ends Sunday afternoon. If you would like to schedule a longer or shorter retreat, please contact Eric Bond for scheduling and pricing.</p>
<p>
	For more information or to schedule a retreat, contact:<br />
	Eric Bond<br />
	eric@ausable.org<br />
	Au Sable Institute&#8232;<br />
	7526 Sunset Trail NE<br />
	&#8232;Mancelona, MI. 49659&#8232;<br />
	(231) 587-8686</p>
