The May 1 deadline has been extended! A few spots remain; please inquire!

Following the National Catholic Singles Conference in Minneapolis, MN, this week-long retreat is geared for singles who want to deepen their understanding of the Theology of the Body while participating in the adventure of backpacking across Isle Royale National Park. The beautiful terrain is both challenging and rewarding, fully surrounded by Lake Superior and large enough to have inland lakes. This retreat will be led by Jen Messing but fueled by participants’ questions and God’s promptings through our natural surroundings.

GETTING OUTSIDE…
Getting out into the original Cathedral of the outdoors and away from electronics allows time to chew on discussion topics and space to be with God. Each day we will cover approximately 8 – 12 miles. The level of hiking difficulty will vary from moderate (flat or hilly) to strenuous (rocky inclines), but we will always be carrying the weight of our backpacks. The checklist will give you a more detailed explanation of what that means, but each participant will need to have a conversation with Jen before registering. This will ensure that we are all on the same wavelength!

RETREAT ELEMENTS…
Due to the many daily factors that are unpredictable about a camping trip, know that this is not a perfectly structured retreat. Talks, discussions, prayer time, etc. will be woven into each day – but the timing will vary and sometimes must be discerned as it unfolds. Our conversations on this trip-retreat will cover a baseline understanding of the Theology of the Body, our individual unrepeatability and understanding our vocation to love. We will be accompanied by Fr. Nick VanDenBroeke of Lonsdale, MN in order to participate in daily Mass and Eucharistic adoration. We encourage you to take off your watch and receive all that the Lord has for you during this retreat!

Please do not bring electronic devices (even solar powered) and put your phone completely away during the retreat; we want you to experience the great outdoors and the great people around you without distraction! Storing them in the van may be problematic due to varying temps and carrying them in a backpack is unnecessary weight, thus you have the option to leave them at the office for the duration of our retreat. A group camera will be available if your usual camera option is your phone.

TRANSPORTATION & TIMING…
We will be renting a 15 passenger van in Minneapolis and will base our rendezvous point upon where participants are coming from (airport, hotel, etc.). On Sunday the 10th we will meet by 2pm and aim to be on the road by 3pm. It is a 5 hour drive (plus a meal stop) to the Grand Portage campground where we will stay the night and board a ferry at 7:30am Monday. We will return by ferry in the afternoon on Friday the 15th and drive back to Minneapolis, again with a meal break. Any flights out will need to be scheduled for Saturday; please arrange your hotel stay somewhere with a shuttle to the MSP airport (we can drop you off there with our rental van on Friday night around 10pm).

NOTE: Due to the “once per day” nature of the ferries and the fact that we will hike to a new campsite each day, our group will need to stay together for the full duration of this retreat. It is not possible to cater to alternative plans, except if you would like to meet us along our route of I-35 or Hwy 61.

CAMPING & MEALS…
These trips are designed to be “family style” in that we share daily “chores” (meal prep, clean up, etc.), we wait for one another, and we share tent space. Due to campsite regulations surrounding how many people and tents are allowed per site, we have little flexibility with tent arrangements. Men and women will be separated and Father will have his own tent.

Meals (using dehydrated but healthy ingredients) will be planned and provided from Monday breakfast to Friday lunch (we will be stopping for meals during our drive on Sunday and Friday evening). We can accommodate most allergies or sensitivities but please have a direct conversation with us when you first register.

QUESTIONS?
Please read the trip checklist carefully first, then feel free to call or email us! We look forward to meeting you soon!

REGISTRATION FEES:
Includes transportation from (& back to) Minneapolis, ferry, meals, & permits.

$685 – Register by May 1 | $300 deposit due upon registration
The May 1 deadline has been extended! A few spots remain; please inquire!

Send checks to the office to avoid fees; click button above for online credit card payment but know that it must be paid in full and will incur a fee of approximately $20.

$300 deposit is non-refundable after deadline; refund of remaining fee only in case of emergency. Final payment should be received one week prior to the start of the retreat.