Retreats

Rest, Renew,
Restore

We’ve been providing Christian hospitality to groups of all denominations and affiliations for over 70 years. Our year-round natural setting allows groups to focus on goals and objectives without distractions in a myriad of different ways including church groups, youth retreats, school/college groups, business meetings, quilting guilds, family reunions/retreats, and more! We want to work with you to brainstorm ideas so that your stay is both beneficial and appropriate to your group’s needs, dreams, and goals.

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What do we offer?

Food Service

Each meal brings a wonderful time of fellowship for our guests over healthy and delicious homestyle meals prepared daily and served in our beautiful dining facility overlooking Owasco Lake. Emmaus Commons can utilize up to three unique dining spaces for a total capacity of over 250 guests. Mealtimes are served at 8:30 AM, 12:30 PM and 6:00PM. We  seek to meet special dietary needs (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and more), providing we receive notice in advance. Please call us if you would like to discuss your specific needs.

Room & Meeting Setups

It is our goal to ensure that the space your group will be using is set up to your exact specifications. We are able to provide many different set ups including theater style (chairs facing front), classroom style (rows of tables with chairs facing front), quilting and craft group set ups (including cutting tables & power), and more! Podiums and white board easels with flip charts are also available in all meeting spaces. Contact us to discuss the different set up options available for your lounge or meeting room.

Room & Meeting Setups

It is our goal to ensure that the space your group will be using is set up to your exact specifications. We are able to provide many different set ups including theater style (chairs facing front), classroom style (rows of tables with chairs facing front), quilting and craft group set ups (including cutting tables & power), and more! Podiums and white board easels with flip charts are also available in all meeting spaces. Contact us to discuss the different set up options available for your lounge or meeting room.

Audiovisual Equipment

Casowasco has a variety of A/V equipment to enable your event or meeting to accomplish its goals. The following is a list of Audio/Visual equipment available for your group to use during their stay; additional charges may apply.

  • TV/VCR/DVD Units in Each Lodge
  • LCD Video Projectors w/ Screen (adaptors for various computers & inputs available)
  • Portable Sound System w/ Amp, two Speakers, Microphone
  • Portable Keyboard & Stand
  • PA System in Emmaus Dining Rooms
  • Small Sound System in Lakeview Chapel (guest operated)
  • Large Sound System in Lakeview Chapel (requires staff operation)

Challenge Course

Utilizing our vast list of teambuilding activities and our low and high ropes courses, our trained and gifted facilitators are able to offer the perfect personalized program for your group. Our low ropes challenge course features 10 different elements, and our NEW! High Ropes Course (built in 2019) offers six elements, each approximately 40’ off the ground. We also provide group activities and lawn initiatives that foster teambuilding and unity, communication, cooperation, and problem solving. As a group leader, you can work with our staff prior to your retreat to customize and create the exact challenge course program that will work best for your group.

Challenge Course

Utilizing our vast list of teambuilding activities and our low and high ropes courses, our trained and gifted facilitators are able to offer the perfect personalized program for your group. Our low ropes challenge course features 10 different elements, and our High Ropes Course (built in 2019) offers six elements, each approximately 40’ off the ground. We also provide group activities and lawn initiatives that foster teambuilding and unity, communication, cooperation, and problem solving. As a group leader, you can work with our staff prior to your retreat to customize and create the exact challenge course program that will work best for your group.

 

Waterfront

Casowasco has over a mile of shoreline on Owasco Lake and an expansive waterfront. We offer a variety of activities including swimming, a diving board, and boating with kayaks, canoes, and rowboats. Our waterfront is typically open from June 1 through Sept. 30, depending on weather conditions. Please contact us for more information or to reserve waterfront activities for your group.

Games & Activities

Casowasco has qualified and experienced staff prepared to lead your group in an action-packed game or activity. We can provide leadership and equipment, options for rainy day activities, or an exciting large group game to take your event to the next level. We also have sports, games, and activity equipment available for your group to use on their own. Some equipment and activities are dependent on weather and availability of trained staff.

Games & Activities

Casowasco has qualified and experienced staff prepared to lead your group in an action-packed game or activity. We can provide leadership and equipment, options for rainy day activities, or an exciting large group game to take your event to the next level. We also have sports, games, and activity equipment available for your group to use on their own. Some equipment and activities are dependent on weather and availability of trained staff.

Sports & Athletics

Casowasco has a variety of sports & athletics facilities for your group to use during your stay. A large grass soccer field is a short hike from the main point, an asphalt basketball course sits just above Bethany Lodge, and a sand volleyball court is available near the waterfront. These spaces are available for all groups to use, and equipment for each is provided. Additionally, an 18-hole Disc Golf course starts at The Stations and circles the main point. Archery and Slingshot are available at our Archery Range with prior arrangement, under the direction of a trained facilitator. Sports equipment available includes footballs, soccer balls, basketballs, volleyballs, frisbees, and more.

Other Recreation Opportunities

Casowasco boasts several scenic trails for walking and hiking. Indoor activities include: a ping pong table, foosball table, air hockey table, pool table, table-top shuffleboard/curling, a Wii, and a variety of card games and board games. Casowasco has two outdoor worship spaces that can each seat approximately 200 people. Each lodge has a private fire circle that seats 15-30 people and the Courtyard of Churches offers a patio space with stone fire ring for groups to utilize. Firewood, lighters/matches, and s’more supplies can be provided with prior arrangement.

  • Everything was perfect, including the sunrise.

    Retreat Guest
  • VERY relaxing, soothing, plenty of space – wholesome family atmosphere!

    Retreat Guest
  • Scenic, peaceful, relaxing – it allowed for full concentration on my spiritual development.

    Retreat Guest
  • Great food! Love the variety and the ability to accommodate special needs.

    Retreat Guest
  • The view from the sewing space is awesome!

    Retreat Guest

Our Facilities

We will help you choose the facilities that best meet your interests and budget, and assist you in arranging your program, special equipment, and recreational activities. Casowasco operates year-round. Spring brings warm days amid breathtaking blossoms of trillium and maple leaves, perfect weather for a canoe ride, a hike through our gorge, or fishing along the shore. In summer, the hillsides fill with lush greenery that keeps the days pleasant and the nights comfortable for our Summer Programs. Fall gives way to crisp days of vistas of Autumn colors and the opportunity to gather around the campfire. Winter yields a unique beauty of its own in the still solitude of snow, just right for skiing and tobogganing. Whatever the season, Casowasco is a beautiful place to be…

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Have any questions? Contact us to learn more.