Solar Eclipse Retreat 2024
April 6-8,2024
Registration Deadline: March 25, 2024
This adult retreat will focus on environmental education and the total solar eclipse. Those age 18 and older are invited to this retreat for fun, relaxation, fellowship, the natural beauty of Lutherlyn, and a trip to Erie for the total solar eclipse.
Tentative Schedule
The schedule below is tentative. When you check-in, you will receive a finalized schedule and camp map.
Saturday, April 6
2-3pm – Check-In
3-4pm – Get to know you & Opening Devotion
4-5pm – Nature Activity
5:15pm – Dinner
Evening – Free time (rec building, games, hike, fireplace, books)
8:00pm – Mellow Campfire/Vespers
9:00pm – Night Hike or Constellations (weather dependent)
Sunday, April 7
7am – Bird Watching (guided)
8:15am – Breakfast
9:30-11:30 – Nature Activity
12:15 – Lunch
1:00-3:00 – "God of the Cosmos" Theological Exploration, Guided Hike, Free Time
3-5pm – Nature Activity
5:30pm – Dinner Church
8:00pm – Solar Eclipse “lesson”
9:00pm – Night Hike or Constellations (weather dependent)
Monday, April 8
7am – Bird Watching (self-guided – equipment provided)
8:00am – Breakfast & pack bagged lunch
9:00-10:30am – Terra Dei Homestead
10:30am - Pack cabins and cars
*11:00am – Depart for Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Erie (everyone drives themselves or carpool, can depart from Erie or return to Lutherlyn to leave)
*12:30ish – Arrive at Prince of Peace, Lunch
Hang out, nature lesson, games, relax
*3:18pm – Eclipse Totality - Eclipse Viewing Glasses provided by Lutherlyn
Benediction
Depart from Erie
*If the weather is bad or it is likely to be cloudy in Erie, we will stay at Lutherlyn (with the potential for 90% totality) and do alternative activities at Lutherlyn until 4pm.
Health/Wellness Considerations:
Please take the health and well-being of others, particularly those who may have compromised immune systems, into consideration when evaluating your own health prior to a retreat/event at Lutherlyn. While we certainly would love to have you here, we do not want others to get sick while attending a retreat.
When sharing a cabin/sleeping space and meeting rooms with people from other households, it is important to consider multiple factors prior to arriving at Lutherlyn. If you have symptoms that indicate you could have a contagious illness (fever, vomiting, diarrhea, cough, congestion, etc.) that could transmit to others, please cancel your reservation for a full refund.
Lutherlyn will issue a full refund for ALL medical related cancellations.
Anyone who tests positive for or is diagnosed with a respiratory viral illness (such as COVID-19, influenza, and RSV) with onset of symptoms within 5 days prior to the start of camp, should cancel for a full refund. To come to a Lutherlyn retreat after having a respiratory viral illness, you must be at least 5 days past the onset of symptoms, 48 hours fever free, and have no symptoms or mild and improving symptoms.
We recommend participants take a rapid COVID test prior to departing for Lutherlyn. For Lutherlyn retreats, when possible/available, we may provide and require a rapid COVID tests upon arrival.
If symptoms develop while at Lutherlyn, please refrain from interacting with others, notify the retreat leader, and depart from Lutherlyn. A pro-rated refund will be issued.
Lutherlyn General Policies:
It is expected that all guests follow these guidelines. Failure to follow these policies could result in removal from camp and forfeiture of payment. There are additional guidelines/policies, depending on the type of group. Those policies are outlined in the group contract or explained by the group leader upon arrival.
- No pets, no alcohol, no drugs, no fireworks, no firearms.
- Lutherlyn is a “Young Lungs at Play” facility. Smoking is only permitted in designated smoking areas.
- Children must be supervised at all times.
- Quiet time is 10pm-8am.
- Vehicles are not permitted on the grass. Load and unload vehicles at the designated area for each cabin village and then vehicles must be moved to main parking lot.
- There are often multiple groups on camp at the same time. Only enter the buildings/facilities that are reserved for your group. Do not enter cabins or facilities that are not for your specific group.
- Vandalism or destruction of Lutherlyn’s property or property of other guests will result in a bill for repairs/replacement and removal from camp.
- Helmets must be worn by kids (12 and younger) when riding bikes.
- Fishing is catch and release, barbed hooks must be crimped.
- A lifeguard must be present for swimming and all swimming/canoeing/kayaking must be arranged in advance with Lutherlyn. No one is permitted in the lake or pool area without a lifeguard.
- Ropes course/group challenge activities are off limits unless arranged in advance and facilitated by Lutherlyn staff.
Facilities
Dining:
Meals are served buffet style at designated meal times in our Dining Hall. Coffee, tea, and water are available during daylight hours. Our chef can accommodate dietary needs as necessary. Please include information regarding your needs when registering (food allergies, gluten free, vegetarian, etc.) so we may plan appropriately for your stay.
Accommodations:
Our cabins are equipped with central heating, carpeting, and full bathroom facilities (shower, toilet, and sink). Each family style cabin features 6 twin beds. Guests are responsible to provide their own linens (twin size bed) and toiletries.
How to get to Lutherlyn
Please only enter Lutherlyn's grounds via our main entrance from Dick Road. If you're using GPS our physical address is 500 Lutherlyn Lane Butler, PA 16001. After checking in we can direct you to your assigned cabin if you're staying over night.
From the West:
Take Interstate 79 to Route 422 (the Butler/New Castle exit) and head east 8.2 miles. Make a right hand turn at the 84 Lumber onto Dick Road. The main entrance to the camp is 1.5 miles down the road. The camp driveway will take you directly to the main parking lot and the camp office.
From the East:
Take Route 8 to Route 422 and head west (towards New Castle) 7 miles to the 84 Lumber. Make a left hand turn on to Dick Road. The main entrance is 1.5 miles down the road. The camp driveway will take you directly to the main parking lot and the camp office.
Registration
Space is limited. Registrations must be received by March 25.
Shared Lodging - $160/person (staying in a cabin with other retreat guests)
Semi-Private Lodging - $175/person (share a cabin with 1-2 of your friends)
Private Lodging - $190/person (have your own private cabin and bathroom)
Create an Account and Register on our Online Registration Portal
(You will be navigated to a different website where you will create a profile that can be reused from one retreat to the next.)
Cancellation Policy:
A $40.00 non-refundable cancellation fee is in effect for cancellations made within 14 days of the scheduled retreat. Full refund will be issued for medical reasons.
