Fall and spring are popular seasons for women’s retreats at Ridgecrest.  Most women’s retreats offer breakout sessions for their attendees.  Smaller events might have 1 or 2 breakout options, and larger events might have 8+ different breakout choices.  If you are brainstorming ideas for your next women’s retreat, here are a few ideas to consider:

1. Spend time creating something beautiful.  Crafting can be a relaxing way to express creativity, and it fosters fellowship as well.  Sometimes conversation flows better when you are working on a fun task side-by-side.  The list of craft options is endless, but here are a few fun things you could make: a mini terrarium, painted terracotta planters, wreaths, pressed flower bookmarks, handmade cards, or seasonal decor.
2. Get moving!  If your retreat is at a beautiful mountain location like Ridgecrest, plan a group hike to a scenic destination.  Or, for an indoor option, consider Zumba, yoga, or a step class.
3. Offer a session, or several, on a focused topic of study.  This is a good way to tie in your conference theme and allow for small group discussion in a more intimate environment.  Choose subjects that are relevant and that will challenge and encourage your ladies.  You might consider a breakout discussing motherhood challenges and blessings, finding peace even when life is busy, building community, being a godly wife, deepening your prayer life, mentoring the next generation, or how to study the Bible. 
4. Do you have a group of avid readers in your ladies’ ministry?  If so, consider a book club breakout option.  The ladies would read the book before the retreat and then discuss it at the event.  This is a good way to connect women with similar interests, and a church book club could be something that continues after the retreat.
5. Integrate a session on the practical day-to-day tasks that women manage.  This could be meal planning tips where you plan a recipe exchange or a budgeting seminar or a sourdough tutorial.  This can also be a way for older women to share their knowledge with the younger generation, so take advantage of the experience within your group and put it to good use.
6. As an adult, it can be challenging to make friends and yet we all long for community.  Consider a fellowship-based breakout with icebreakers and conversation prompts to help connect people in a non-threatening way.  You could even plan a group game like a scavenger hunt where attendees travel to different spots on campus and take pictures doing silly things together.  Get creative and think of what might resonate with your ladies.

Getting away as a ladies’ ministry is a great way to foster connection with new friends while also taking time to be encouraged individually.  Gathering in smaller groups creates opportunities for fellowship and personal reflection.  Use your breakout sessions to offer a variety of options for your ladies.  We all have different preferences and needs and struggles.  Provide choices so that each participant can choose what will be a blessing to them.  If your ladies retreat is at Ridgecrest, we look forward to hosting you soon!