July, 2000 - Vol. XXIX No. 2
Continuing Education: Some Ways and Some Means

"Sometimes You Just Have to Get Away"
by Stephanie Wight

    Whether you are looking for an educational experience, a guided retreat or a place for solitude and spiritual exploration, knowing where to begin your search for the "perfect spot" can be overwhelming.

    The following resources are offered to you as possible starting points for planning that journey of personal discovery and/or refreshment.

    Many camp and conference centers keep listings of scheduled educational events, and some offer space for individuals seeking an individual retreat. There are at least two on-line resources you can access. CCI/USA (www.gospelcom.net/cgi-cci/gpd) offers a guide to Christian adult, family, and youth retreat centers. This web site lists 31 sites in Oregon, each listing describing programs offered, seasons the camp is available for use, and types of accommodations. Many listings offer direct links to specific camp sites. Our own Triangle Lake Camp and Conference Center is listed with CCI/USA, and is well worth exploring.

    A second Internet camp location resource is the American Camping Association (http://search.acacamps.org/cgi-bin/aca_search). This source lists 22 locations in Oregon and also includes Triangle Lake Camp and Conference Center.

    The Diocese of Oregon has connections with another retreat center, Tau Cross Farm, in Scio, Oregon. Started by Bishop John Thornton when he was in Oregon, this retreat center can accommodate groups up to about 20 in a bucolic setting. Call 208-336-3034 or 208-863-1601 for reservations.

    Your trusty "Opportunities for Learning" resource available through the Diocesan web site (www.diocese-oregon.org) and in hard copy via your Diocesan Department for the Ministry of Christian Education office, lists many learning events and retreats at a wide variety of locations.

    The Catholic Archdiocese of Oregon in Portland has a comprehensive listing of sites for individual retreats and centers for larger events. These are listed in the "Oregon Catholic Directory" which is available in the office of every local Roman Catholic Church or from the Archdiocese (503-234-5334).

    For those of you who enjoy reading about the "retreat" experience, prior to diving right in, the following two books offer a tremendous bounty of resources, advice, and encouragement.

    A Place for God: A Guide to Spiritual Retreats and Retreat Centers by Timothy Jones, Image Books (Doubleday), 464 pp., $14.95. In addition to 250 listings of retreat centers across the US and Canada, this book offers information about the individual sites and the costs involved. Jones answers the practical questions: What should I take along to a retreat center? What is expected of me? What will I do on a retreat? Jones offers a strategy for beginners planning a first retreat as well as advice for more experienced individuals who are interested in planning a more in-depth experience. Jones shares his own experiences and addresses some hesitations that once held him back from undertaking the potentially transforming experience of a retreat.

    Travel That Can Change your Life: How to Create a Transformative Experience by Jeffrey A. Kottler, (Jossey-Bass, 180 pp. $22.). The author, who also is a therapist, offers advice and anecdotes to prepare one for the unforeseen events encountered during a journey. While couched in the framework of preparing for a "vacation," the journey undertaken can be much more personal and tiny than the full blown "Continental Tour." Included is a good bibliography that can help with planning, and a simple test to identify your personality type, which can help clarify your personal travel goals. The author concludes that we are all on journey throughout our lives, and the keys to a transforming journey are flexibility, and the willingness to get out of your own comfort zone.

Stephanie is the Diocese of Oregon’s "resource person." She is also a member (and past convener) of the Department of Christian Education. Contact her at resource@diocese-oregon.org

© 2001, Diocese of Oregon
updated 05/03/2003 16:19
contact: kylew@diocese-oregon.org