Please review our commonly asked questions about our facility. If you have additional questions, contact us.
In February 2021, our family-owned Bethel Creek Lodge located on Bethel Farms in Arcadia, Florida became a 501-c3 non-profit ministry for the primary purpose of hosting Church and Christian Ministry retreats. We truly felt God guiding this decision!
Yes - and it's because we love our Lord and know why He directed us to surrender this property - this Lodge over to Him - for the primary purpose of hosting Church & Christian Ministry retreats!
It's important to us and necessary that our Guests at Refuge Retreat are aligned with our Christian beliefs. Please read our MISSION & VALUES page, which includes our Statement of Faith, before considering Refuge Retreat.
Our prayer is that you will let Refuge Retreat be part of YOUR spiritual journey! We so look forward to seeing how God will uniquely meet you here.
They say a picture is worth a 1000 words - but a TOUR is SO MUCH BETTER than a website description! We agree! In fact after one recent tour the Pastor said,
"The photos and descriptions don't do justice to what one sees and feels upon arriving here."
So many have experienced the same - you can too! Simply request a tour at our Contact tab.
We are set up for a multiple-person retreat-style stay only. Minimum of 15 people per night. Enjoy 1-night only or more! Most groups stay Fri & Sat nights. Less than 15 people is permitted but at the full cost of a 15 person minimum. (31 person max)
The only exception to our 15-minimum person per overnight stay is our Pastor Wednesday Special - Click here for more details.
Day-Only stays (Non-Bedroom) are also available. See FAQ - Ministry Leadership.
We serve adult-only, same-gender groups (Christian Men retreats / Christian Women retreats) for overnight stays. Minimum of 15 people per night. (Up to 31 max)
Exceptions to same-gender retreats are considered - such as married couples, or other possible scenarios based on bedroom use. Exceptions must be approved. Please call for more details to see if your group setup applies.
Enjoy 1-night only or more! Most groups stay Fri & Sat nights. (Up to 31 max) Our rates are only $95 per person, per night. A typical group 2-night stay is $190 per person.
Your payment options are either by credit card - with our PCI-compliant, fully encrypted secure transaction (by phone) with an immediate email confirmation of your payment - Safe - Easy - Fast . . . OR by check.
With today's crazy mail system most enjoy the security, speed and immediate written email confirmation that comes by using a credit card. But both options are available!
Groups typically check-in at 1pm on arrival date and check-out at 4pm on departure date. Exceptions are made with advance approval.
Our facility is small. We have 31 total beds. In the Lodge, there are 6 bedrooms. Five with 2 bunk beds (sleeping 4 in each room) each bottom bed is full-size and the top beds are single-size. A full bathroom is with each bedroom. Our 6th bedroom has one queen bed and a full bathroom. There is also a 1/2 bathroom near the kitchen.
We have a Bunkhouse, located a few feet from the Lodge with 5 bunk single-size beds (sleeping 10) and a full bathroom.
So, 21 beds in the Lodge and 10 beds in the Bunkhouse.
1. We require an Initial fully refundable* 25% Deposit - to secure your retreat date.
2. A fully refundable* Security Deposit of $300 is needed.
3. A Cleaning Fee of $275 is required per Group Overnight Retreat.
4. For Day-ONLY retreats (Non-Bedroom) a Cleaning Fee of $75 is required.
Yes, we do, and it is required within 30 days of your group's arrival date. If your organization does not have access to insurance we provide a link to a company that we endorse and many have used. They make it super easy & fast to get insured!
1. An Initial 25% Deposit. Full refunds are available 91 or more days prior the arrival date. 61 - 90 days prior to arrival, the deposit is 50% refundable. Up to 60 days prior to the arrival date, the deposit is non-refundable.
2. Security Deposit is fully refundable - if no damage occurs by any Group individual(s).
Refuge Retreat is a wonderful venue for a secluded, quiet, day-away with your Ministry Leadership! Our facility offers Day-Only (non-bedroom) stays from 7am - 7pm for a rate of $50/per person per day stay (10/person minimum / 45 max) Available ONLY on a Wednesday and/or Thursday. (Other calendar exceptions might be available - call for more information) View FAQ - Additional Cost information for more details. Enjoy a full-day with your entire Ministry Leadership - God will be there!
Our facility can sleep up to 31 people (15/person minimum) but for Day-Only (Non-Bedroom) retreats, we have a 45-person capacity (10/person minimum).
We do not offer food or meal plans, but we can help you with some local caterers. Only licensed & insured caterers are permitted on the property. Most groups bring and prepare their own meals in our Lodge kitchen. All snacks, food, drinks and meals need to be supplied by your group and/or a caterer.
Our kitchen is equipped with essential tools and utensils including:
· Cookware
· Kitchen utensils
· Bakeware
· Serve ware
· Cutlery
· Coffee pot with filters
· Toaster
· Crock-Pot
· Microwave
· An Electric Griddle
· A large Outside Charcoal Grill and even a Gas Grill!
· Our Commercial size Icemaker will keep you fully stocked with ice for coolers!
We also provide: ceramic plates & bowls, silverware and coffee mugs - all which will need to be washed in our dishwasher for reuse. We supply paper towels & napkins.
Our bathrooms come supplied with toilet paper, hand soaps, & Q-tips. Due to our septic system, we do not allow wet wipes to be flushed.
Our kitchen is equipped with essential tools and utensils but you will need to supply the following items. (We do not provide these)
· Paper or Plastic Plates & Bowls
· Plastic Silverware
· Disposable Plastic Drinking Cups
· Non-ceramic coffee cups (styrofoam, etc.)
· Bottled water, coffee - tea, coffee creamers
· Storage containers / bowls with tops or plastic containers with tops for left-overs
Yes, we have a Bunn Matic with two 8-cup glass decanters and filters. They brew fresh coffee fast and then you can pour it into our two 8-cup coffee carafes to keep it hot for hours! We also have an extra large carafe if needed. (Ideal for cold drinks like iced tea, etc.)
Linens are provided with beds already premade, including pillows. We have a towel & wash cloth for each person.
Yes, we have sturdy, folding 8-foot tables and chairs for up to 45 people. We require the tables and chairs are for inside use only. / Yes, our whiteboard is a portable 40 inches by 28 inches magnetic flip chart style. We also provide markers & eraser.
Yes, one bathroom in the Main Lodge has a bathtub/shower combo, the rest of them are showers only.
Sorry, but we do not have a sound system. With such intimate settings most groups never need one. If required, please be sure to bring your own. We do have a Smart TV with an HDMI hook-up, but we don’t have microphones or speakers.
Water is from a well and has a softener. We have a reverse osmosis system by the kitchen sink.
Some additional amenities include:
* Billards Table - Inside the main living room for those who are up to the challenge! Sticks, chalk, and balls are provided.
* Ping Pong Table - Outside (under covered picnic table area.) Paddles & balls provided. Simply remove cover and fold down to begin using.
* Fire Pit - We provide fire wood, starter sticks and butane lighters. Chairs are also available for any size group.
* Corn Hole - An all-time favorite for fun and showing one's hidden skill set! We provide 2 sturdy boards and plenty of bean bags.
* Walking Trails - Simple strolls on the pre-cut paths surrounded by trees and God's nature is most relaxing!
* Pond - Enjoy the dock to relax, pray or enjoy a possible catch & release fishing moment. (Guests need to supply their own fishing equipment)