BNO Annual Retreat
The highlight of each BNO meeting year is the annual weekend Retreat at YMCA Camp Shady Brook in Deckers, CO. It’s a teaching and discussion-filled weekend of relaxation, learning, reflection, sharing, fellowship, and friendship. Prayer and transparency abound; all in God’s majestic, Colorado backcountry.
BNO has conducted nine Retreats, starting in 2015.
The Retreat – three days, two nights – is wonderfully hosted by the very
accommodating staff of Camp Shady Brook. For a very reasonable price
($195.00), each attendee receives comfortable lodging within our private
bunkhouse (Loo Lodge). We receive five delicious hot meals from the talented dining facility (mess hall) gourmet team. Additionally, we are provided a campfire circle, and ample firewood, for both Friday and Saturday nights’ discussion segments. And finally, we are reserved a classroom – ideally suited for our size group – with all the audio/video technology we could ever want.
Our traditional speaker / teacher / facilitator has been the gifted founder and president of a successful men’s ministry based in Colorado Springs. When he’s not available, we’ve been graced by the teaching of two, in-house BNO pastors.
Every annual Retreat program is Biblically based, generally revolves around a topic men can relate to. It is supported by challenging discussion questions at the end of each session. Each teaching session, both encourages and calls for, individual reflection and small-group discussion.
By design, each man is made to feel safe and threat-free. Nobody is singled out and nobody is called upon without prior notice.
There is free time aplenty, and it takes place primarily on the deck of our bunkhouse – and always with refreshment. The deck has become, over the years, the hub of all social interaction for our Retreats.
However, there is plenty of time and place for hiking, fishing, and some activities the camp has.
The BNO Retreat, is always scheduled a year in advance. Typically taken place during the May to October timeframe. We’ve been blessed with good conditions each year, never having to face inclement weather that might impact the program.