Retreats Conferences & Events

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Planning your group’s next retreat, conference, or meeting? Then, look no further than GENEVA Camp & Retreat Center. Whether you’re a youth group retreating overnight for teachings, worship, and games; a men’s or women’s group gathering to relax and foster community; or a company meeting for the day to review last quarter’s performance; you’re sure to find meeting and lodging facilities that meet your needs! Additionally, with dining services available onsite, we’ll ensure that you don’t have to worry about preparing meals for your group.

Seated on Lake Michigan’s shoreline, gathering at GENEVA creates unique opportunities to enjoy a conference venue in a beautiful setting. Our campus features two sites, which provides versatile options for you and your group. The Shores portion of our campus features 1,200 feet of Lake Michigan beach frontage. Meanwhile, our Pines campus is carved into 35 acres of woods centered around a serene lake. No matter what setting you prefer, GENEVA Camp & Retreat Center is here to serve you! We realize how much work it takes to plan and organize an event and are here to assist you in hosting a successful occasion that achieves your goals.

Located just five miles north of Holland and 3 hours from Chicago, GENEVA provides direct access to Lake Michigan with close proximity to all that West Michigan has to offer. Connect with us today to start planning your group’s next retreat, meeting, or event!

Accommodations

GENEVA offers a variety of lodging options for groups of 1 to 500 guests. See more on why GENEVA makes lodging on Lake Michigan so unique.

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Meeting Spaces

We know meeting space is critical to your retreat, meeting, or event. GENEVA aims to provide a comfortable, clean, and modern facility that supports your group sessions or gathering time.

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Food Service

Gathering around the table offers another point of building connection and community. That’s why food service is so important. Our full-service dining staff provides breakfast, lunch, and dinner, served buffet-style, as well as many options for between-meal snacks and beverages.

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Activities

Looking for things to do during your stay at GENEVA? There are many great options for both outdoor and indoor activities for your group.

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GENEVA is the place of preference!

- Ministerial Formation Certification Agency

Resources

Already planning a retreat with us? Click here to access the Retreat Planner Resources page which contains event deadlines and details for planning your retreat.

Have a question that you don’t see below? Please contact us and we’d be happy to help.

Retreat Brochure

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Retreat Map

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FAQ

Initial Reservation

  • We generally work on a rolling 12-month basis for reservations typically providing groups scheduled in the current year the first opportunity to return again for the following year. After that, retreats 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.
  • Groups interested in booking a retreat beyond the rolling 12-months are still welcome to connect with us to express interest and provide initial information about the event you’re planning.

Signed Contract Deadline

  • 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.

Contract Maximum Capacities & Minimum Guarantees

  • 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 space rental fees, special requests carrying fees, and any additional fees charged for extensive set up, is additional to the minimum guarantee amount.

Health and Insurance Statement

  • 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.

Cancellation Policy

  • Groups canceling more than 120 days prior to the starting date of the contracted event will be refunded their deposit less a 10% administration fee.
  • Groups canceling from 119 days to 90 days prior to the starting date of the contracted event will be responsible for paying 50% of the group’s contracted minimum guarantee and meeting space rental fees as liquidated damages for GENEVA’s lost ministry opportunities.
  • Groups canceling less than 90 days prior to the starting date of the contracted event will be responsible for paying the group’s contracted minimum guarantee and meeting space rental fees in full as liquidated damages for GENEVA’s lost ministry opportunities.
  • For cancelations incurring inside of 120 days, the group’s applicable cancelation fee may be reduced if GENEVA is able to resell the contracted lodging and meeting areas to another guest group. GENEVA may also consider waving the applicable cancelation fee if the group is able to reschedule for another available date within the same fiscal year.
  • If it is necessary for GENEVA to cancel a contracted event, a full refund of the deposit will be given; however, in no event with GENEVA be liable to the group for any lost profits or incidental, indirect, special, or consequential damages arising out of the group’s inability to use the GENEVA premises, even if GENEVA has been advised of the possibility of such damages.

Final Invoicing

  • 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.

Planning Information Deadline

  • No later than 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.

Check-in & Check-out

  • 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 $20 per key fee will be charged to the group for any lost or missing keys that were provided by GENEVA.
  • 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.

Parking

  • 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.

Wheelchair Accessibility

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

Meeting Space

  • 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.

Food Service

  • Retreat meals are chef’s choice 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.
  • GENEVA is happy to assist guests with special dietary needs. We’re equipped to handle dietary restrictions such as dairy free, gluten free, and vegetarian. Unsure if we’ll be able to meet your special dietary needs? Feel free to reach out, and we’ll be happy to ask our dining services team on your behalf!
  • Final numbers and special dietary needs must be submitted no later than one week prior to your group’s scheduled arrival date to ensure that our team can be best prepared to serve your group. No guarantees can be made for information received less than one week prior to your arrival. Once the group leader has submitted final information with meal counts to the GENEVA team, the group is responsible for those meals.
  • When developing your retreat agenda to include meal reservation times we ask that you select a meal start time from the time options below:
    • Breakfasts: 7:30am, 8:00am, and 8:30am
    • Lunches: 12:00pm or 12:30pm
    • Dinners: 5:00pm, 5:30pm, or 6:00pm
  • Shirts and shoes are required in our dining facilities.
  • 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.
  • When finished eating, we ask that guests bring their dishes to our dish window.
  • After meals, the dining rooms are closed to guests so our food service and custodial team can clean and prepare for the next meal.
  • 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.

Linens

  • Guests staying in our Mission Point, Shores and Pines cabins (bunk-style lodging) are responsible to provide their own bedding and shower towels.
  • Bedding and shower towels are provided in the GENEVA Retreat Center lodging rooms (hotel-style rooms) and Cottage (1-bedroom cottage). Guests staying in these lodging types are asked to assist our staff by stripping linens off beds and placing these, along with used towels, in the hallway at the completion of their stay.

Activity & Recreation Center (ARC) & Game Rooms

  • 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.

Wireless Internet

  • GENEVA provides complimentary wireless internet access for guest use while onsite.
  • Internet access is available in all main meeting spaces and meeting rooms, in all Retreat Center lodging rooms, and in most cabins.

Quiet Hours

  • GENEVA observes our township’s 11:00pm – 7:00am noise curfew throughout our campus for the sake of other guests and our neighbors.
  • Noise shall be kept to reasonable levels so as not to disturb the quite, comfort, or peace of other guests or neighbors and shall not be audible beyond common areas and your reserved meeting and lodging spaces during this time frame.
  • Amplified sound is not permitted during the noise curfew timeframe.

Severe Weather

  • 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.

Does GENEVA have a Lost & Found?

  • If you’ve left something at GENEVA, the best way for you to retrieve the item is to fill out our lost and found form.

Challenge Activities

  • GENEVA Program staff can provide activities that are prearranged with our retreat ministry team. Activities are dependent on availability and carry additional fees.
  • Challenge activities can be provided for groups with guests who are 6th grade and older.
  • 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.

Sledding

  • 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.

Campfires

  • 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.

Lake Use & Beach Use

  • 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.

Multiple Groups on Site

  • 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.

Facility Guidelines

  • 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.
  • Groups are responsible for overseeing guests in all areas on site. Guests under 18 always need to be supervised by an adult.
  • GENEVA is not responsible for any lost, damaged, or stolen items. After two 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, including vaporizers and electronic cigarettes.
  • If a group plans on setting up equipment in any outdoor or grass areas, please get plans approved by our retreat ministry staff before proceeding.
  • Pets of any kind are not allowed on site, unless an individual requires the assistance of a guide dog or another service animal.
  • Use of alcohol, tobacco, drugs, sky lanterns, fireworks or firearms is prohibited at GENEVA.

Wondering If We Can Host Your Retreat, Meeting, Conference, or Event? Get Started Here!

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