Annual All-Church Retreat
Each year our congregation enjoys time together at the UCC LaForet Conference Center in the Black Forest north of Colorado Springs.
La Foret’s beautiful location is in the Black Forest, an area of ponderosa pine and grasslands, southeast of Denver and northwest of Colorado Springs. It’s a one hour drive from Denver. Cool temperatures, a chance to enjoy Colorado’s fall colors, hiking/walking and a magical spirituality which you just don’t often find combine with a program which allows a group focus on a topic we’ve yet to select.
A beautiful retreat in the Black Forest
The facility has family-style shared cabins with indoor plumbing, fireplaces and central heating. We gather Friday evening for cabin assignments and opening night fun. Saturday breakfast is followed by a morning intergenerational program with several choices.
After lunch we’ll have time for relaxing, hiking, and/or playing games in the meadow or lodge, followed by one more structured session, for those who wish.
Saturday night dinner is followed by a party and maybe a show when we always find ways to have plenty of across-the-generations fun and fellowship. We close the evening with songs and s’mores around the campfire.
A rustic Sunday service
After Sunday breakfast there is packing, cleaning up, and worship in the beautiful adobe-style chapel. We are headed home by noon. We take home a stronger sense of fellowship with the church family and the feeling of having stepped away from the rat race.
For people interested in Wash Park UCC, this is a GREAT way to get to know us better, and friends are welcome to join us and take advantage of this unique opportunity to escape and relax in a serene and beautiful setting. The costs are $125 for adults (12 and older), $85 for children 4 – 11, and $25 for tots 3 and under. This buys two nights’ lodging and four filling meals plus all the snacks and goodies you can eat during other times!
Scholarships are available!
Scenes from La Foret
10 Things To Do at La Foret
A sampler of activities from our annual La Foret Retreat
Saturday night at La Foret Retreat
Adventure is afoot!
The freedom to be goofy
Fun at the La Foret retreat
The picnic table ritual
A Saturday afternoon tradition at the La Foret retreat, usuallly following the kickball game.
Intergenerational at La Foret
Saturday night is our beloved intergenerational games circle at the La Foret retreat.
A serenade
Eric serenades us Sunday in the chapel at La Foret
Campfire at LaForet
Lifelong memories in the making
Labyrinth at La Foret
Meditative walks in the labyrinth are a highlight for many.
Always game for a game
Relaxing over games on Saturday night.
Fireplace in historic lodge
The fireplace in the Ponderosa lodge draws us in for activities and relaxation.