GENERAL INFORMATION
Key Times
Thursday, November 2nd
- 4:00 p.m. – Hotel Check In (Lover’s Dream Package)
- 4:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. – Onsite Retreat Registration
- 5:00 p.m. – Evening Session
Friday, November 3RD
- 4:00 p.m. – Hotel Check In (Married Lovers Package)
- 6:15 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. – Onsite Retreat Registration
- 7:00 p.m. – Opening Session
Saturday, November 4th
- 8:00 a.m. – Breakfast
- 9:00 a.m. – Morning Sessions
- 1:00 p.m. – Lunch
- 5:00 p.m. – Evening Session
Sunday, November 5th
- 8:00 a.m. – Breakfast
- 9:00 a.m. – Morning Sessions
- 11:00 a.m. – Hotel Check Out
- 1:00 p.m. – Retreat Ends
OUR PROGRAM
The program is designed to promote healthy marriages. Couples are asked to participate in discussions and informal activities. We encourage couples to identify the areas of their marriage they want to build, strengthen and maintain. The program also includes daily worship and a group picture at the close of the retreat.
The agenda is usually divided into four sessions with the first one beginning on Friday evening at 7:00 p.m.; two sessions on Saturday – morning and afternoon; and the final session on Sunday morning.
Onsite Retreat Registration: Retreat packets will be available onsite on Thursday, November 2nd (Lover’s Dream Package) and on Friday, November 3rd (Married Lovers Package) before our evening/opening session outside our conference room.
NOTE: Covid transmissions rates are currently low. Masks are not required, but may be worn at your at discretion.
BREAKOUT SESSIONS
Each couple has been assigned to a group for breakout sessions that allow our couples the opportunity to discuss more topics with our speakers.
The group designation is listed next to each couple’s name on the housing chart in parenthesis [e.g. Benson (A)]. The Benson’s would be in Group A.
Please make every effort to arrive on time for the sessions. Program updates and post-retreat presentations will be posted on our website.
Cell Phones – Plan to silence ringers and/or power off your phones during the sessions to minimize any disruptions to the program. Please limit your calls/texting to breaks, mealtime, and after the sessions.
HOUSING
Married Lovers Retreat has a block of rooms reserved at The Osthoff Resort for the marriage retreat.
Couples will be assigned to rooms by the resort. Upon arriving at the resort, please check in first to The Osthoff Resort front desk (101 Osthoff). Check-In starts at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 2, 2023 (Lover’s Dream Package) and Friday, November 3, 2023 (Married Lovers Package).
On Sunday, November 5, 2023, please be prepared to check out at 11:00 a.m. The marriage retreat ends at 1:00 p.m. On Sunday morning you will be asked to pack and store your luggage in your car during our morning activities.
In Case of Emergency (ICE) – In case of an emergency that involves both you and your spouse, we will contact the person you listed on your registration form. If you listed yourself or your spouse as an emergency contact, please provide us with an alternate person in case of emergency.
If an emergency arises that causes you to leave the retreat, please notify Joe Garnett or another member of our on-site retreat staff.
DIRECTIONS
Elkhart Lake is centrally located between Wisconsin’s business hubs of Milwaukee, Green Bay, Fox Cities and Madison. It is about a 2.5-hour drive north of Chicago and about 2 hours north of O’Hare airport.
ACTIVITIES
The Osthoff Resort’s recreational options include golf, horseback riding, sledding, paintball, bowling, biking, the Aspira spa, a pool, sauna, exercise room, and more. Visit the Osthoff activities web page for more info.
ATTIRE
Please remember to dress appropriately for the weather.
Attire for the weekend is casual (i.e. jeans, khakis, slacks, skirt, sweater, shirt, blouse or top).
However, you may choose to dress up for Sabbath (Saturday), but it is not required. You may also want to pack a swimsuit for the pool or hot tub.
BRING IT!
Below are a few items you might want to bring along for the weekend:
- Clothing ( i.e. Casual/Business Casual Clothes)
- Swimsuit / Workout clothes
- Medicine (Prescription and Over the Counter (OTC) Medication), if needed. Take as directed by your doctor.
- Toiletries (Shampoo, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste and other personal care products)
- Small amount of spending money (Optional – for The Osthoff Resort gift shop merchandise and other items available during the weekend)
MEALS
The resort provides several meals as part of the retreat registration: Saturday morning breakfast, Saturday afternoon lunch and Sunday morning breakfast. Please inform us if there are any special dietary considerations and we will do our best to accommodate you.
- Friday evening’s meal will not be provided. Couples are encouraged to enjoy dining in the Elkhart Lake area on Friday.
- Saturday evening offers a few options. Couples have the option of dining in one of the Osthoff Resort’s restaurants, their room or anywhere in the Elkhart Lake area they choose.
The resort rooms amenities include a king size bed, private balcony, small refrigerator, microwave, wet bar, work desk and two-person whirlpool tub in the upgraded bath.
Some individuals choose to bring food or snacks they like to eat between the meals provided by the resort or to take with their medications.
Sunset Calendar & Weather
Below is the sunset table for the weekend of our retreat in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. The projected temperature averages for the retreat weekend are below. NOTE: Navigating your way around the resort can be challenging once the sun has set so please keep this in mind when planning your travels.
DATE | SUNRISE | SUNSET | WEATHER FORECAST | ||
THUR, Nov. 2nd | 7:30 am | 5:39pm | Partly Cloudy | 49° / 32° | |
FRI, Nov. 3rd | 7:33 am | 5:40 pm | Partly Cloudy | 49°/ 33° | |
SAT, Nov. 4th | 7:34 am | 5:39 pm | Partly Cloudy | 49° / 32° | |
SUN, Nov. 5th* | 6:36 am | 4:38 pm | Partly Cloudy | 48° / 32° | |
*Daylight Savings Time ends Sunday, November 5, 2023, at 2:00 a.m.