Frequently Asked Questions
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Alliance Redwoods Conference Grounds (ARCG) began hosting the Christian community in 1946. Each year hundreds of groups and churches select ARCG as their “camp of choice.” Thank you for considering us as well and for allowing us “To Provide Service as Tall as Our Trees.”
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When is the best time to schedule a retreat for my church?
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Each church is different. Much depends on the schedules of the members of your congregation.
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How many months ahead should I begin planning for my church retreat?
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Many churches book retreats on the same weekend each year. As this annual retreat is established we suggest you keep the same schedule. ARCG books weeks and weekends one year in advance and each group is offered the same time the next year and each year thereafter.
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What are the steps in planning a retreat?
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A successful retreat takes planning and teamwork!
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Learn from others! May we recommend “The Christian Conference Planner” and “The Christian Conference Planner Toolkit” by Angela Yee. Each of these books provides a wealth of information for planning a successful retreat. Please visit www.summitstarpress.com for more information.
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What types of buildings and meeting rooms do you offer?
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ARCG’s website has a list of all lodging and meeting room with their capacities and floorplans (ARCG Lodging or ARCG Meeting Rooms).
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The best way to get the feel of the camp, the drive required by the retreat attendees, etc. is to schedule a visit. Camp tours are available each business day and on weekends with prior notice. Please complete our “Contact Us” form or “e-mail us.” A member of the Sales and Marketing team will be glad to take you around our beautiful campus, although some rooms may be in use and not available for viewing.
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How can we attract some of the younger members of our congregation?
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Paintball, ropes courses, canoeing and kayaking are popular activities for the younger members of your congregation. However, we’ve heard of great retreats where older members were encouraged to participate in the activities.
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What is there to do at ARCG?
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All work and no play makes for low attendance! Team-building activities, creative games, gameroom, hikes around the ARCG campus, visits to the nearby ocean villages of Jenner or Bodega Bay or a visit to the Russian River will make for a memorable outing during free time.
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Cards and board games are available in the office. There is a small library of Christian books available in the Hospitality Room.
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Are the activities safe?
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Yes, ARCG provides staffed trained under the rigorous training standards of Signature Research, Inc. which has been serving clients since 1979 for more information please visit: www.signatureresearch.com.
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Many members of my congregation have young children. Does ARCG have special rates for young children?
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Yes, ARCG is committed to keeping our family rates affordable. According to ARCG policy, child rates can be applied only when a child is sharing a single room with two adults/parents paying the full adult rate. Children 0 - 2 years are free. Children 3 – 12 may be eligible for reduced rates. For complete details please contact Sales and Marketing at 1-800-576-2509 or e-mail us.
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Will there be other churches or groups at ARCG at the same time?
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Yes, there may be other groups here. ARCG is a year-round facility with capacity for 350 guests. The Lord has orchestrated renewed friendships and began new alliances as different guest groups have gathered together. ARCG has multiple meeting rooms which are assigned based on group size. Given the size of the campus (118 acres), the only time most groups will interact will be at meal time and free time.
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What if we are under our guaranteed minimum?
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The guaranteed minimum is the minimum number of people you expect to attend your retreat. Your contract and all prices, lodging, and meeting rooms are determined by your stated guaranteed minimum. The ARCG Sales and Marketing team are committed to helping you meet your retreat goals and may be able to provide some helpful marketing materials and hints from other groups to boost your numbers. Please call or e-mail Sales and Marketing (l-800-576-2509 or sales@allianceredwoods.com) as soon as you think you may be at risk of falling below your guaranteed minimum and they will do what they can to help!
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We are over our guaranteed minimum? What if we need more lodging?
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Your retreat numbers are growing! Great! Call Sales and Marketing (1-800-576-2509 or
e-mail sales) as soon as you see you may
be exceeding your Guaranteed Minimum to reserve additional lodging rooms. Call as soon as you realize you will
need additional rooms to ensure they can be booked. Sales and Marketing will do what they can
to provide additional lodging near your assigned lodging.
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Can we reserve the Basketball Gym?
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Yes, maximum time 1 ½ hours to allow other groups time. NOTE: Consideration of groups in Kinser Room (the meeting room directly below the Gym) takes first priority!
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We have handicapped/disabled guests, is transportation/baggage handling available?
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No problem, our accommodations staff is available at check-in and check-out to remove baggage from vehicles, just ask at the front desk. In addition, ramps and transportation assistance are available throughout the camp. The accommodations staff is glad to transport guests to meeting rooms and activities, if required.
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Is wood provided for campfires?
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Yes, all you need. Campfires are set up and ready to go with extra wood near by.
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What insurance documents does Alliance Redwoods require?
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Alliance Redwoods requires a Certificate of Liability Insurance with an Endorsement that states the church/school/organization will “indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Alliance Redwoods Conference Grounds” and lists Alliance Redwoods Conference Grounds as additionally insured.
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What are the main items ARCG needs from my group prior to arrival?
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Final Guest Count and Schedules are the most important. If necessary, Room Assignments and Liability Insurance can be given upon arrival.
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Room Assignments – correct room assignments are very important for emergency phone calls. Please ensure ARCG Guest Services has a correct room assignment list at the time of check-in. |
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Retreat Schedule – an accurate retreat schedule is important for late arriving guests and for emergency phone calls. Please ensure ARCG Guest Services has an accurate retreat schedule at the time of check-in. |
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Message Board – ARCG provides a message board for all non-emergency messages. The message board is located in the Hospitality Room next to the main office. Emergency messages are delivered directly to the group’s meeting room (which is why Room Assignments and Retreat Schedules are so important.) |
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Public Phones are available outside the Office and in the Hospitality Room. CELL PHONE SERVICE IS NOT AVAILABLE AT ALLIANCE REDWOODS CONFERENCE GROUNDS. |
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Check e-mail in the Hospitality Room from 6am – 11pm during your stay.
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What is the weather like?
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