Plan A Retreat

All reservations are secured on a first come, first served basis. Once a confirming contract is received, your group will have 30 days to sign and return the contract along with the designated retreat deposit and certificate of insurance.

If a signed contract and designated deposit are not received by the date indicated on the contract, GENEVA is free to negotiate with another group for the retreat dates.

When reserving specific lodging facilities, maximum capacity and minimum guarantee numbers will apply. Minimum guarantees include the lodging and meal costs per person as outlined in the retreat contract. If a group’s final attendance numbers fall below the stated minimum guarantee, then the guest group would be invoiced for that minimum. Meeting room fees, special requests carrying fees, and any additional fees charged for extensive set up, is additional to the minimum guarantee amount.

• One week prior to your retreat date, the group leader will be responsible to provide a final retreat agenda, lodging/guest list, final meal counts, completed special dietary forms, meeting room set up, and audio visual equipment requests.
• Additional setup or A/V requests after the group arrives will result in additional fees.
• If the above requested retreat information is not provided by the retreat group leader a week in advance of the retreat (date stated in contract), GENEVA has the right to submit the minimum guaranteed guest count to our catering department.
• The group leader will be responsible for registering their own retreat guests in the group’s designated meeting space.
• GENEVA does not offer discounts for group chaperones or leaders.

• A final invoice will be processed after the completion of your retreat. The initial deposit will be deducted from the invoice, and your group will be responsible to pay the balance due within 15 days after receipt of the final invoice.
• All non-exempt accounts will be assessed a 6% Michigan Sales Tax at the time of invoicing.

• When it is necessary for a retreat group to cancel an event, the contract deposit is non-refundable unless the cancellation occurs at least 120 days prior to the scheduled event. A 10% administration fee will be deducted from the deposit funds and the balance of the deposit will be refunded.
• Once the group leader has submitted final information with meal counts to the GENEVA team, the group is responsible for those meals.
• In the event it would be necessary for GENEVA to cancel a retreat, a full refund of your deposit will be given.

• In the event that there is severe weather and your group needs to cancel their retreat, the deposit made on your retreat can be transferred to a future date, or if a new reservation is not possible, a 10% administration fee will be deducted from the deposit funds and the balance of the deposit will be refunded.
• If severe weather occurs while your group is at GENEVA on retreat, our hosting team is trained to bring everyone to safety in our on-site sheltered areas. Please note our emergency exits posted in our facilities.

• Retreat meals are served buffet style in our main dining rooms. The buffet format provides variety in selection of menu items to meet the needs of various types of groups being served.
• Menus are chef’s choice and chosen by our catering team.
• When finished eating, we ask that guests bring their dishes to our dish window.
• GENEVA is happy to assist any guests with special dietary needs. We ask for this information a week in advance of your meeting, retreat, or event so that our team can be best prepared to meet such accommodations.
• Guests who have provided us their special dietary needs in advance are asked to identify themselves with our Food Service staff when going through the serving line, as the special diet accommodations are not displayed on the food line as we do with our standard menu.
• Groups are welcome to bring in their own snacks/beverages into their meeting spaces. GENEVA can also provide snacks/beverages at a fee to your group.
• 24/7 coffee is available to guests in the Shores GENEVA Center outside of the dining room.
• When developing your retreat agenda to include meal reservation times we ask that you select a meal start time from the time options below:

• After meals, the dining rooms are closed to guests so our food service and custodial team can clean and prepare for the next meal.
• Shirts and shoes are required in our dining facilities.

• Check-In: Your group may arrange for an early set up time with our retreat staff. Set up may begin up to 3 hours prior to your retreat’s official start time. Earlier set up times can be arranged and will carry a $25.00/hr additional fee.
• Check-out: Final group check out will be 3 hours after your last scheduled meal. Later check-out times can be arranged and will carry a $25.00/hr additional fee. Groups are asked to pack up items and turn lights off in their lodging areas before they depart. No check-out procedure for group leader is necessary before group leaves the site.
• Guests staying in the Retreat Center hotel-style rooms are asked to assist our staff by stripping linens off beds and placing these, along with used towels, in the hallway upon departure.
• A $10 per key fee will be charged to the group for any missing Retreat Center hotel-style room keys.
• GENEVA reserves the option to request an early check-out of lodging spaces to effectively prepare for the next group arrival. Early lodging check-out does not affect the use of your meeting space prior to final departure.
• We ask that all equipment and supplies are packed up and taken with the group at the time of departure.
• If your group has cardboard boxes to be disposed of, we ask that boxes are broken down and placed in our cardboard dumpsters located by the dining rooms.

GENEVA provides Internet access in all main spaces and meeting rooms to our guests at no charge. The Retreat Center, hotel-style rooms also have access. All cabin lodging areas at Shores and Pines do not provide wireless Internet access.

• The GENEVA Retreat Center, a hotel-style facility, provides bedding and towels in all lodging rooms. The cabin lodging facilities at Shores and Pines do not include bedding and shower towels.
• Guests staying in the Retreat Center rooms are asked to assist our staff by stripping linens off beds and placing these, along with used towels, in the hallway upon departure.

At any given time there may be multiple groups on site for retreats and events. Your group will have exclusive use of your lodging and meeting space as outlined in your contract. All other areas of GENEVA are shared areas for all guests to utilize.

We ask that our guests park in designated parking areas only. Pathways to and from lodging and meeting areas need to remain clear and safe for our guests. Entry areas to our pathways need to remain clear for emergency vehicle access.

All facilities at GENEVA are barrier-free and meet current ADA regulations.

• Along with your signed contract and deposit, GENEVA requires a copy of your group’s certificate of insurance showing the limit of your general liability and medical payments. The certificate should also show GENEVA as an additional insured.
• Should you be injured in an accident while on GENEVA’s property or during a GENEVA activity, medical claims must be submitted to your primary health insurance carriers. GENEVA does not carry insurance for guest’s medical claims.
• If an injury should occur, please notify your host immediately. All injuries must be reported within 24 hours, and an appropriate GENEVA form needs to be completed by your group regarding the incident.
• The retreat group will be responsible for providing for their own medical personnel, first aid, first aid supplies, and emergency transportation.

• GENEVA Program staff provide a variety of challenge activities for groups with guests who are 6th grade and older. These activities are prearranged with our retreat ministry staff along with our program and carry an additional fee.
• A release form with parent signature is required for each youth participant under 18 years of age. All adult participants are required to sign the release form on their own behalf.

• The Activity & Recreation Center at Shores, and the game room areas at Shores and Pines, are available to all guest groups. There is no exclusive use of these areas.
• We ask that when using the gymnasium area, guests wear non-black soled shoes.
• When using any of these spaces, please keep all food and drinks out of the areas.
• For youth under the age of 18, adult supervision is required at all times.

GENEVA enforces our township’s 11pm noise curfew in all areas of camp for the sake of other guests and our GENEVA neighbors.

• The GENEVA Pines site offers a sledding hill for groups during the winter months at designated times. GENEVA has sleds available, or guests are able to bring in their own sleds. We ask that guests do not bring in snow boards or runner sleds.
• When using the sledding area, we ask that guests do not sled toward Big Pine Lake, but remain on the designated sledding area.
• When guests are at the sledding hill, we require groups to have adult supervision at all times.
• The sledding hill has outdoor lighting for night use. The hill closes at 11pm.

• There are campfire pits located by each cabin area at Shores and Pines for guest use. Also provided are various larger group spaces for campfires around the grounds. GENEVA provides the firewood, and fire starters can be provided upon request through our hosting staff.
• Campfires are limited to designated fire pit areas only.
• It is the group leader’s responsibility to start, maintain, and put out fires safely.
• GENEVA asks that campfires be put out at 11pm in accordance with our township’s noise curfew.

• Guests are responsible for their own safety when swimming in the lake and will need to provide their own certified lifeguard. A copy of your lifeguard’s certification is required to be provided to GENEVA. Our staff will supply the required safety equipment to your lifeguard when using the swimming area.
• We ask that our guests take the stairways to and from the beach and remain off the sand dunes at all times to protect the area from dune erosion.
• Swimming after dark is prohibited.
• Children under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult, and children 12 and younger must be accompanied by a parent at all times.
• Use of the swimming area and beach are not available while our summer youth camp programs are in session.
• The boundaries of the GENEVA property are clearly marked with signage to the north and south edges of the waterfront access area. When using the beach, please remain in the designated area of GENEVA’s property.
• Walking on the beach: The beach is available to groups and you may walk the beach along the water line in either direction. Your group should recognize that the area above the high water mark is private property, and we ask our guests to respect our neighbors’ property.
• Winter- Please stay off the ice! Lake Michigan (GENEVA Shores) and Big Pine Lake (GENEVA Pines) are dangerous as the ice may not be solid. Please communicate to your group that the gates down to Lake Michigan are locked and we ask that guests do not go past gates for their safety.

• If your group is responsible for damages to the GENEVA facilities and property, the cost of repairs for damages or excessive clean up will be the responsibility of your group at the time of invoicing.
• GENEVA is not responsible for any lost, damaged, or stolen items. After 2 weeks, all lost and found items are donated to a local charity or disposed of.
• If a fire alarm is pulled unnecessarily, your group will be responsible for the fire department fee for responding.
• When on the grounds, please use trash receptacles to dispose of all trash.
• Please keep all areas free from graffiti.
• If fire extinguishers are set off unnecessarily by your group, your group will be charged $75.00 per extinguisher to have each one refilled.
• GENEVA is a totally smoke-free environment in all of its facilities.
• If your group plans on setting up equipment in any outdoor or grass areas, please get plans approved by our retreat ministry staff.
• Pets of any kind are not allowed on site, unless an individual requires the assistance of a service dog.
• Use of alcohol, drugs, sky lanterns, fireworks, or firearms is prohibited at GENEVA.

• Final meeting space setup requests are due one week ahead of your retreat date. Meeting rooms provide a variety of set up options to include row seating, seating at round tables, classroom style seating at long tables, or various combinations.
• GENEVA will assign meeting areas exclusively for the use of your group.
• Meeting spaces carry additional fees on top of lodging and meals.
• All equipment and supplies brought in by groups must be removed from spaces by the group at the time of departure.
• A select group of the meeting spaces include sound systems with a number of components available. Please check with our retreat staff as to availability when making your reservation.
• Groups are responsible for running A/V in their meeting spaces during their retreat or event. GENEVA will provide instruction upon arrival on provided pre-arranged equipment.
• Extensive set up requests may carry an additional fee.
• Additional setup or A/V needs after the group arrives will incur additional fees.
• Meeting spaces do not include a microwave.
• The Dunes and Harbor meeting spaces do have mini refrigerators for guest use as a part of the Retreat Center package. All other meeting spaces do not include access to a refrigerator or freezer.
• GENEVA asks that no decorations be adhered to walls unless group uses painter’s tape.
• If your group plans to use paint for an arts and craft, please make the GENEVA retreat team aware. Any tables that are used must be covered. If paint gets on tables, an additional cleaning fee may be incurred.