Retreat Activities
Do not be afraid, we welcome people of all fitness levels (or "no" fitness at all). We are here to serve you and no one gets left behind. Our exercise opportunities are safe, fun, envigorating, challenging, and inspiring. We are here to provide an opportunity for you to get out of your comfort zone and we give you the instruction and motivation to do what you what you may not think is possible! Believe! No one will be shamed or made to feel lesser than someone else on the retreat who might be more athletically inclined. We have options for everyone based on their own personal comfort level.
All of our actitives throughout the week are included in your retreat price. However, we will be renting items such as bikes and kayaks and if you own one of these items please feel free to bring it to the retreat for use during your week as that will be more comfortable for you (as well as keep costs down for us). Thank you! Check out some of the wonderful opportunites we will have during your retreat to enjoy God's creation and the natural rescoures and trails of the St Croix River Valley. We cannot guarantee that every event listed will be available during your retreat; this is weather-dependent as well as group preference. Please communicate with us which actitives are the most desired for your group and we will structure your retreat around you as much as possible! We are 100% committed to making this retreat for your group everything that you hope it will be. Click here for a example of what a day on the Luminaries Retreat looks like. Yes we want you to be active and challenged but this retreat is about YOUR personal wellness and you will not be pressured to engage in any activity/exercise that you do not feel comfortable in.
Indoor & Outdoor Group Training
Cardiovascular training, strength training, and boot camp/body weight exercises will not be tedious and boring! We are going to have fun increasing our fitness and it will build teamwork and encouragement in the group as we work together to accomplish our goals for the week.
Do not worry, no matter what your fitness level, there will be modifications for every person - whether elite athlete or beginner! We will strive to make sure every single individual gets exactly what they are looking for in their wellness retreat.
Be prepared to try some new activites and yes, you will come home with new and interesting ideas on how to continue on your fitness journey after the retreat ends.
Group Biking, Running, & Hiking
The Gandy Dancer Trail is a place where we will bike, walk, and run (if you desire) as it is a quiet beautiful trail nestled amongst many trees. Deer and other wildlife are often spotted along the trail! This is not road-bike friendly so if bringing your own bike, it should be a gravel bike or a mountain bike. Cyclova XC in St Croix Falls is a wonderful, locally-owned bike shop that we love to support; we encourage you to check it out if you're looking to purchase a bike of your own!
The Woolly Mountain Bike Trail is where we will try out fat-tire biking - summer, spring, winter, or fall, it doesn't matter as fat-tires go on it all!
We will hike and walk along the famed Ice Age Trail and into Interstate Park on either the Wisconsin side or the Minnesota side. Many of the beautiful photographs on this site were taken by JJS Photography at Interstate Park and along the St Croix River.
Water Sports
We recongize that not every one enjoys water sports so we will have alternative ideas for those wishing not to participate in these for some reason. However, the St Croix River and the abundance of lakes in our area make a great opportunity for kayaking and canoeing. This will also break up the activites that are "leg heavy" and give you a chance to rest your lower extremties.
If interested, please bring your own fishing poles and supplies as these will not be provided but lake access is possible (please communicate if this is a retreat preference for you and/or your group). Fishing will be an activity for free time, not a structured group event.