● Retreats for Adults

Finding Your Peace: Spiritual Practices for Peacemaking

A retreat for adults with teachings led by our Assisting Bishop Anne Hodges-Copple

Friday, July 17 - Sunday, July 19
at Camp Chickagami, Presque Isle, MI
Tiered pricing beginning at $380. Scholarships available.

The world is loud. The news is heavy. And most of us are moving too fast to find our footing.

This summer, we're gathering at Camp Chickagami for a weekend retreat led by Bishop Anne, rooted in Scripture and the deep wells of the Christian tradition. We'll explore what it means to cultivate peace — not as an escape from the world, but as the thing that steadies us inside it. To find it. To practice it. To become channels of it.

Expect teaching, worship, music, time in nature, and real space to rest. This retreat is designed to hold both structure and breathing room. Camp Chickagami's setting does its own quiet work, and we'll let it.

    • Gather for teaching sessions with Bishop Anne rooted in Scripture and Christian tradition

    • Worship together in ways that are woven into the land and the rhythm of the weekend

    • Participate in creative, contemplative, and community practices

    • Enjoy intentional free time — rest, walk, sit by the lake, do whatever you need

    • Worship and pray together

    • A lecture series or conference

    • Scheduled every hour

    • Heavy or exhausting

    • Only for people who already feel at peace

    • Grounded and unhurried

    • Rooted in Christian faith and open to wherever you are in your practice

    • Community-oriented but not forced

    • Contemplative without being silent

    • Held by a place that has been forming people for nearly a century

Program Specific FAQs (see more in the FAQs below)

  • Not at all. This retreat is rooted in Christian and Episcopal tradition, but you don't need to share that background to belong here. If you're curious, questioning, or just in need of rest and grounding, you're welcome.

  • Bishop Anne will offer several teaching sessions across the weekend, but the pace is intentional — there's always time to sit with what you've heard before moving to the next thing. This isn't a conference. It's a retreat.

  • That's exactly who this is for. You don't need to arrive feeling peaceful or spiritually prepared. Come as you are.

  • Worship is woven throughout the weekend rather than confined to a single service. Expect it to feel connected to the land and the rhythm of camp. We will break bread together, sing, and be present.

  • We ask that participants commit to the full retreat — Friday evening through Sunday morning — so the community can form and the weekend can do its work.

    However, if you have Sunday morning obligations, we can arrange for a Saturday evening departure.

  • Lodging is included at camp. For those who prefer a private room off-site, hotels are available within a short drive. Reach out to us and we're happy to share options.

  • There is real, intentional free time built into every day. Rest is part of the design, not an afterthought.

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Colorful yarn skeins hanging, including red, blue, gray, and cream.

● Retreats for Adults

Contemplative Fiber Arts Retreat

Friday, September 25 - Sunday, September 27
at Camp Chickagami, Presque Isle, MI
Tiered pricing beginning at $300. Scholarships available.


Imagine spending a weekend working on a fiber project you love—knitting, weaving, embroidery, felting, whatever calls to you—surrounded by people doing the same. No judgment. No performance. Just hands working, minds quieting, and souls settling into something deeper.

Throughout the weekend, you'll gather with other fiber artists for group reflection around themes that matter. You'll share meals together, laugh together, work alongside each other. On Saturday, there's an optional trip to the Alpena Fiber Festival—a chance to be inspired, connect with the broader fiber arts community, or simply enjoy free time however you wish.

It's contemplative without being silent. Social without being performative. Creative without being instructional. It's about your work, your pace, your process. And it's wrapped in a faith context that honors the sacred work of creating with your hands.

    • Bring a fiber project you're currently working on (any fiber art—knitting, weaving, embroidery, felting, etc.)

    • Work at your own pace throughout the weekend

    • Gather with other fiber artists for group reflection around a theme

    • Share meals and community time

    • Enjoy free time however you wish (rest, walk, create more, explore)

    • Optionally visit the Alpena Fiber Festival on Saturday

    • You're not learning new fiber arts skills

    • No instruction or classes

    • No pressure to produce or perform

    • No comparing your work to anyone else's

    • Creative and meditative

    • Social but not forced

    • Contemplative (you're working with your hands, which quiets the mind)

    • Rooted in Christian reflection but welcoming to all spiritual backgrounds

    • Community of people who understand why fiber arts matter

Program Specific FAQs (see more in the FAQs below)

  • That's totally fine. The point isn't productivity—it's process. You work at your own pace. Some people make huge progress. Others make little progress and gain something else entirely (peace, clarity, community). Both are valuable.

  • No classes or instruction. This is not a learn-new-skills retreat. It's a space for you to work on your own projects, deepen your practice, and be in community with other fiber artists.

  • Yes! On Saturday during free time, there's an optional trip to the Alpena Fiber Festival. You can go, stay at camp and rest, or do your own thing. It's completely optional.

  • You're welcome to be quiet and keep to yourself. Meals are shared, but you don't have to chat. Group reflection time is together, but you can sit quietly. There's plenty of free time to be alone. The community aspect is available if you want it, but not required.

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Nighttime scene over a lake with a star-filled sky and the Milky Way, two small boats floating on the calm water.

● Retreats for Adults

Retreat in the Colors: a silent fall retreat

Friday, October 2 - Sunday, October 4
at Camp Chickagami, Presque Isle, MI
Tiered pricing beginning at $300. Scholarships available.


This is a silent retreat. Not silent like a library—silent like a sanctuary. A place where you step away from constant noise and return to your own voice.

You'll arrive at camp as autumn paints Michigan's trees. You'll walk through forests, sit by the lake, journal in quiet spaces. Each morning and evening, you'll gather briefly for a centering session and a simple liturgy. The rest of the time is yours—guided only by prompts for reflection and the rhythm of the day.

It's not about pushing yourself to spiritual enlightenment. It's about stopping long enough to listen. To yourself. To God. To the quiet. To whatever your soul needs.

You'll eat meals together—that's the only shared time (besides opening and closing sessions). Otherwise, you're alone. And in that aloneness, something often shifts. Clarity emerges. Healing happens. You remember who you are beneath the noise.

    • Participate in opening and closing sessions (brief, centering, simple liturgy)

    • Walk through nature (trails, lake, forests)

    • Journal or reflect using prompts provided

    • Sit in silence and solitude

    • Eat meals together in silence

    • Rest and follow your own rhythm

    • Silent meditation marathon (unless that’s what you want)

    • Rigorous spiritual bootcamp

    • Forced group activities

    • Social networking

    • Quiet and contemplative

    • Spacious and unhurried

    • Restful

    • Spiritual (but not heavy-handed)

    • Individually paced

    • Opening and closing sessions (structured time together)

    • Meals are silent (or you can choose to sit with others without speaking)

    • The rest of your time is your own—walk, reflect, sit, journal, rest

    • No phones, no devices, no forced participation in anything

    • It's about stepping out of noise into quiet

Program Specific FAQs (see more in the FAQs below)

  • Mostly silent. Opening and closing sessions are when you gather briefly with others. Meals are eaten in silence (though you can sit near people, you're just not talking). The rest of your time is your own—walking, journaling, resting, reflecting. No phones, no devices, no forced interaction.

  • Yes, except for opening/closing sessions and meals. That's the whole point—stepping out of noise. If you need to ask for help, speak to staff. But casual conversation with other retreatants isn't part of the experience.

    If you really need to speak out loud to think through your thoughts, go for a solo walk in the woods.

  • Walking, journaling, reading (bring a book), sitting by the lake, exploring trails—there's plenty to do. We provide reflection prompts and guided walks if you want structure. Most people find that the quiet fills the time in ways they didn't expect.

  • That's normal! And it often shifts once you start. Many people say the first few hours are weird, then something settles. Staff are present if you need support or just to talk. And you're never truly alone—there are other retreatants on campus, just not interacting. If you're genuinely concerned, consider starting with Fiber Arts (more community) and trying silent retreat later.

  • You can register together and you'll both be there, but you won't be together during the silent portions. If that feels isolating, Fiber Arts might be a better fit.

  • No. Walks are optional and self-paced. You can walk 30 minutes or sit by the lake for three hours. Listen to what your body needs.

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● Program Overview

What You’ll Experience

Somewhere between childhood and old age, most of us stop slowing down. We move from task to task, screen to screen, obligation to obligation. We rarely sit with ourselves long enough to hear our own thoughts.

Adult retreats at Camp Chickagami create space for what's often missing in modern life: time. Real time. Time to rest, create, reflect, and be in community with people who understand why that matters.

  • Adult retreats operate on a contemplative rhythm that honors both structure and freedom, both solitude and community.

    Daily Flow

    Morning

    • Breakfast together

    • Project work/contemplative time (silent retreat) or fiber arts work (fiber retreat)

    • Group reflection or guided prompts

    Mid-Day

    • Lunch

    • Free time (rest, walk, create, explore, whatever you need)

    • Continued project work or contemplation

    Evening

    • Dinner

    • Evening session (reflection, brief liturgy, or continued quiet time)

    • Rest

    Optional

    • Alpena Fiber Festival trip (Fiber Arts Retreat only, Saturday during free time)

  • Adults stay in community lodging at Camp Chickagami, designed for retreat-goers who value both community and personal space.

    Lodging Options

    Community Rooms

    • Shared bunkhouse-style accommodations

    • Twin beds with personal space

    • Bathhouse facilities in close proximity

    • Refrigerators for any personal items or medications

    Cottages

    • Cottages with bathrooms connected and some larger beds

    • If available, some private or two-person rooms

    • Same amenities as shared spaces

    How We Assign Lodging

    During registration, you'll indicate:

    • Your comfort level with shared vs. private space

    • Any roommate preferences or compatibility questions

    • Accessibility needs

    We use this information to create lodging situations where you feel safe, comfortable, and able to fully engage in your retreat.

    Amenities

    • Running water and bathrooms

    • Shower facilities

    • Refrigerators for personal items and medications

    • Heat and basic comfort

    • Quiet spaces for rest and reflection

    • WiFi available in certain areas (though we encourage you to disconnect)

    • Accessibility accommodations based on your needs

    The Retreat Experience

    Part of the retreat experience is being in a rustic, simple setting. This isn't a luxury resort—it's intentionally spare, which helps you quiet external distractions. That said, we believe basic comfort matters, especially for adults who don't have the youthful resilience of camp kids.

    All spaces are clean, safe, and functional. If you have specific comfort or accessibility needs, please let us know during registration, and we'll do our best to accommodate you.

  • You and your family are welcome here. As an Episcopal camp, we are passionate about being a brave space where all campers belong. We celebrate the rich diversity of our campers and staff—including differences in national origin, creed, religious belief, color, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, family structure, and ability. Our faith teaches us that every person is beloved, and that belief shapes everything we do. Whether you're exploring faith for the first time or deepening a lifelong practice, whether your family looks like anyone else's or stands beautifully apart—you belong here. We work intentionally to create an environment where each person can discover who they are and who they're called to become, surrounded by people who celebrate them exactly as they are.

    Our Inclusion Policy outlines our commitment to creating a welcoming environment for campers of all backgrounds, identities, and abilities.

    Our Gender-Inclusive Housing FAQ details how we create affirming housing options that honor each camper's gender identity. These aren't just words—they're a foundation of how we operate.

    We encourage families to review these documents, and they're also part of our registration process.

A person wearing a white shirt reading a Bible outdoors.

● Program Overview

A group of people gathered outdoors around picnic tables in a wooded area, listening to a speaker standing in front of them. String lights hang overhead, and there are trees and a small building in the background.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Fiber Arts is more social and creative—you work on your own fiber projects, gather for group reflection, and share meals with other fiber artists. Retreat in the Colors is silent and contemplative—you're mostly alone, walking, journaling, and reflecting. Fiber Arts is about creative community. Retreat in the Colors is about solitude and inner reflection.

  • You should already know how to do your fiber art (knitting, weaving, etc.). This isn't a class. It's a retreat for people who already work with fiber and want to deepen their practice in a contemplative setting.

    All experience levels welcome!

  • Fiber Arts: Absolutely! Friends can attend together. Older children/teenagers can come if they're already fiber artists and are coming with a parent. Retreat in the Colors: This is designed as a solo experience. That said, if you and a friend both want to attend, you can—you just won't interact much during the silent portions.

  • Both retreats are rooted in Christian and Episcopal faith. That said, you don't have to be Christian or Episcopalian to attend. Programming is contemplative and open to all spiritual backgrounds and beliefs. Participation in any faith-specific element is optional—do what feels right for your spiritual practice.

  • Encouraged, but not mandatory. We believe these practices enhance the retreat experience, but you get to decide what your body and soul need. If you need to skip something to rest or take care of yourself, that's respected.

  • You're not alone—you're in community with others seeking something similar. You're held in a contemplative, faith-centered container. Meals are provided and shared. Programming and reflection prompts are thoughtfully designed. It's not just time away; it's intentional time away with structure and meaning.

  • Check-in begins at 3:00 p.m. on the first day. Check-out is after breakfast on the final day, but you need to be out of your lodging by 12:30 p.m. You're welcome to stay and enjoy camp until later if you'd like—we just need rooms cleared for cleaning.

    Feel free to reach out to us ahead of time to see if there are accommodations available for rent before or after your retreat to extend your time at camp.

  • For Fiber Arts: Your current fiber project(s) and supplies, comfortable clothes, toiletries, any medications. You'll receive a full packing list before the retreat. For Retreat in the Colors: Comfortable clothes, toiletries, journal, walking shoes. Leave your phone and devices at home (seriously—this helps). You'll receive a packing list before the retreat.

  • Fiber Arts: Yes, bring whatever you're currently working on. Retreat in the Colors: We provide journals and reflection prompts, but bring your own if you prefer your own journal.

  • We have limited private or semi-private options. Let us know during registration if you need private space for accessibility or comfort reasons, and we'll do our best to accommodate.

  • Tell us during registration. We ask accessibility questions to match you with appropriate lodging and support. If we can't fully meet your needs, we'll work with you to problem-solve.

  • Lodging, all meals, programming, reflection materials, and use of camp facilities. Optional activities (like the Alpena Fiber Festival trip for Fiber Arts) may have additional costs.

  • Yes! Tiered pricing and scholarship assistance make these retreats accessible. No one is turned away due to financial need. Contact us at camping@greatlakesepiscopal.org to discuss options.

Questions we didn’t answer?

Contact us! Fill out our contact form below, email camping@greatlakesepiscopal.org, or call 616-616-2821. We genuinely want to help and are happy to answer anything.

● Contact

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Thinking about enrolling? Curious which program might be the right fit? Whatever you’re looking for, we’re here to help and will do what we can to accomodate.