By Mike Sokol, Owner, Orange Springs Retreat Center
Published: July 2026
Group retreats are evolving.
Across Florida and throughout the United States, churches, schools, nonprofit organizations, leadership teams, and private groups are placing greater emphasis on retreats designed to produce measurable outcomes rather than simply providing time away from daily routines.
Today’s retreat planners increasingly seek experiences that:
- Strengthen relationships
- Develop leaders
- Improve communication
- Encourage collaboration
- Build community
- Create meaningful, lasting memories
This report combines publicly available research from leading travel and meetings organizations with firsthand operational observations developed through more than two decades of hosting organized private groups at Orange Springs Retreat Center.
Research Highlights
Recent industry research points toward several themes influencing group travel and retreat planning.
U.S. Travel Association – State of Group Travel Report
- Group travel request-for-proposal (RFP) activity has exceeded 2019 levels.
- Most surveyed business travelers expect to participate in additional group travel over the coming year.
- Industry leaders identify meaningful face-to-face connection as one of the strongest drivers of continued meeting and retreat demand.
BookRetreats – State of Retreats Report
- Purpose-driven retreats continue gaining popularity.
- Travelers increasingly prioritize experiences centered around learning, wellness, connection, leadership, and personal growth.
- Retreat participants increasingly value intentional experiences over passive vacations.
While these reports primarily examine broader travel and meetings industries—not exclusively churches or schools—they provide valuable context for understanding why organized retreats continue to grow in importance.
Trend 1: Purpose Has Replaced “Getting Away”
One of the clearest shifts in recent years is that organizations are becoming increasingly intentional about why they hold retreats.
Rather than simply planning a weekend away, leaders are asking:
“What should our participants gain from this experience?”
Today’s retreats commonly focus on:
- Leadership development
- Team alignment
- Spiritual renewal
- Strategic planning
- Volunteer appreciation
- Student leadership
- Organizational vision
- Relationship building
Successful retreats typically begin with clearly defined objectives and then build schedules around those goals.
Orange Springs Observation
During planning conversations, pastors, educators, and organizational leaders increasingly begin by discussing desired outcomes before asking about accommodations or recreational activities. The purpose of the retreat has become the foundation of the planning process. This is a consistent pattern we see among the groups that use our exclusive-use facilities.
Trend 2: Human Connection Continues to Drive Retreat Demand
Technology has transformed communication. Ironically, it has also increased appreciation for genuine face-to-face interaction.
According to the U.S. Travel Association, one of the defining themes shaping the meetings industry is the continuing value of authentic human connection through in-person gatherings.
This aligns closely with what many retreat planners describe as the primary purpose of their event: bringing people together.
Whether through shared meals, campfires, worship, leadership workshops, canoe trips, ropes course activities, or team challenges, the strongest retreat memories are often created outside formal presentations.
Orange Springs Observation
Many retreat leaders intentionally leave unscheduled time between formal sessions. Those relaxed conversations around meals, campfires, and waterfront activities frequently become some of the most meaningful experiences reported after the retreat. Our lakefront setting and private campus make these moments easy to protect.
Trend 3: Privacy Is Becoming a Strategic Advantage
One topic consistently raised during retreat planning conversations is privacy.
Many churches, schools, and nonprofit organizations want to know whether they will share facilities with unrelated groups.
Although comprehensive national research on exclusive-use retreat venues is limited, operational experience suggests privacy is becoming an increasingly important consideration.
Exclusive-use environments often provide:
- Easier supervision
- Greater scheduling flexibility
- Reduced distractions
- Stronger community
- Improved security
- Simpler logistics
Rather than viewing exclusivity as a luxury, many planners now see it as a practical planning advantage.
Orange Springs Observation
Questions regarding exclusive campus access, supervision, scheduling flexibility, and keeping participants together now represent some of the most common topics discussed during the planning process. This is one of the primary reasons groups choose Orange Springs Retreat Center.
Trend 4: Leadership Development Continues to Expand
Leadership retreats remain one of the fastest-growing uses of organized retreat facilities.
Schools continue investing in student leadership development. Churches are training future ministry leaders. Nonprofits develop volunteers. Businesses conduct strategic planning retreats.
The common thread is simple: Leadership develops through shared experiences.
Activities such as challenge courses, collaborative projects, small-group discussions, and outdoor problem-solving allow participants to practice communication, trust, and decision-making in realistic settings.
Orange Springs Observation
Groups that intentionally combine classroom-style instruction with experiential activities often report stronger engagement throughout the weekend. Our ropes course, team-building areas, and flexible meeting spaces are designed to support this combination.
Trend 5: Winter and Spring Continue to Offer Strategic Advantages
Although summer remains the traditional camp season, many Florida organizations increasingly schedule retreats between January and April.
Advantages often include:
- Comfortable temperatures
- Lower travel congestion
- Pleasant outdoor conditions
- Greater scheduling flexibility
- Excellent weather for campfires and waterfront recreation
For churches and schools, these months often fit naturally between major ministry and academic calendars.
Orange Springs Observation
Many returning groups intentionally reserve winter and spring dates because they appreciate Florida’s milder weather while avoiding peak summer heat. Early inquiries for these months are common. Check current availability if you are planning for 2027.
Trend 6: Experiences Matter More Than Amenities Alone
Comfortable accommodations remain important. Meaningful experiences create lasting memories.
Across nearly every type of organized retreat, participants often remember conversations, friendships, worship, lake activities, campfires, team-building, and laughter far longer than individual buildings or amenities.
The venue provides the environment. Shared experiences create the impact. At Orange Springs, the combination of a private campus and natural setting is designed to support those experiences.
Trend 7: Retreats Are Becoming More Customized
Every organization arrives with different objectives.
Rather than following standardized schedules, planners increasingly design customized experiences around their participants.
Modern retreats often combine morning teaching, leadership workshops, small-group discussions, afternoon recreation, free time, campfires, guest speakers, service projects, and outdoor activities.
Flexibility has become one of the defining characteristics of successful retreat planning. Our meeting spaces and activity options are intentionally designed to support customized agendas.
Trend 8: Safety and Operational Simplicity Remain Essential
For schools, churches, youth organizations, and nonprofit leaders, logistics matter.
Planners consistently prioritize:
- Straightforward supervision
- Organized dining
- Clearly defined gathering areas
- Comfortable lodging
- Well-maintained recreational facilities
- Efficient movement across campus
When operational complexity decreases, leaders are free to focus on participants instead of logistics.
Orange Springs Observation
Group leaders frequently tell us that simple logistics and clear campus organization allow them to spend more time serving people and less time managing schedules. This is a core design principle of our private retreat campus.
Trend 9: Authenticity Builds Trust
The retreat selection process increasingly begins online.
Before requesting availability, planners commonly review photographs, Google reviews, testimonials, planning guides, FAQs, maps, videos, and previous group experiences.
Organizations increasingly look for evidence that a venue has successfully hosted groups similar to their own.
Experience has become one of the strongest trust signals available. We encourage planners to explore real photos, reviews, and free planning resources on our website before reaching out.
Looking Toward 2027
Several trends appear likely to continue.
Organizations will probably continue emphasizing:
- Purpose-driven retreat planning
- Leadership development
- Earlier booking windows
- Customized programming
- Face-to-face connection
- Private environments that minimize distractions
While technology will continue transforming how retreats are planned, the retreat experience itself will likely remain rooted in something timeless: bringing people together.
Research Methodology
This report combines publicly available industry research with firsthand operational observations from Orange Springs Retreat Center.
1. U.S. Travel Association report
U.S. Travel Association. (2026, May). U.S. Group Travel Report: Strength Beneath the Surface. U.S. Travel Association.
https://www.ustravel.org/state-of-group-travel-report
• Notes: Released May 5, 2026 (press release date). This is the association’s inaugural group travel report (also referred to on their site as the State of Group Travel Report). Supported in partnership with IMEX. No individual authors are credited; it is an organizational publication.
2. BookRetreats report
Westman, C. (2026). The State of Retreats 2026 Report. BookRetreats.com.
• Notes: First released February 27, 2026; the online version has been updated (most recent noted update July 2026). Authored by Chelsea Westman. Based on BookRetreats.com proprietary search/booking data plus an original survey of 1,040 U.S. leisure travelers conducted December 2025–January 2026.Orange Springs Operational Observations
Statements identified throughout this report as Orange Springs Observations reflect practical experience developed through more than two decades of hosting churches, schools, youth organizations, nonprofits, adult camps, clubs, and private groups. These observations are presented as operational insights rather than statistically representative findings for the broader retreat industry.
About Orange Springs Retreat Center
Orange Springs Retreat Center is a private, exclusive-use retreat venue located on more than 100 acres in North Central Florida.
For over two decades, the property has hosted colleges, adult camps, churches, nonprofits, public schools, youth organizations, clubs, leadership programs, and private organizations seeking a distraction-free environment for meaningful gatherings.
The campus is designed for organized groups of approximately 60–200 guests and offers exclusive access to lodging, dining, meeting spaces, waterfront recreation, team-building activities, and recreational amenities. Learn more or request information.
Planning a Florida Group Retreat?
Continue planning your 2027 retreat with these helpful guides:
- What Is Included When Renting a Summer Camp?
- How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Summer Camp in Florida?
- Can You Rent a Summer Camp for a Weekend?
- About Orange Springs Retreat Center
- Florida High School Retreats
- Florida Church Retreats
- Florida Youth Retreats
- Rent a Summer Camp in Florida
- Orange Springs Retreat Center Home
“Written by Mike Sokol, Owner of Orange Springs Retreat Center since 2002. With over 20 years of experience hosting youth camps and group retreats, Mike shares insights to help camp directors find the right venue.”
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Located just south of Gainesville, Florida, Orange Springs Retreat Center offers Group Retreat Rentals, Fall & Spring School/Church Camp venue, and an ideal Summer Camp Location. What separates us from other retreat venues is true exclusivity:
“One Group At a Time Always- No Shared Spaces, No Outside Guests”
Check out how Orange Springs Retreat Center was featured in the New York Times.
Website: orangespringsretreat.com
Let’s build something meaningful together.