Frequently Asked Questions 1. What is the purpose of this week? 2. What would the week look like? 3. What outdoor activities are involved? 4. What are the accommodations like? 5. How much does it cost? 6. What should I bring? 7. Is it dangerous? 8. Is there some physical fitness level required? 9. What should I do to prepare for the week? 10. How do we get there? 11. What happens after the week is over? 1. What is the purpose of this week? The purpose of this experience is to give you the time and space to listen to your own heart and to God's heart about His hopes and dreams for you. Through a variety of outdoor experiences, guided discussions, and personal reflections, you will have the opportunity to look more deeply into the meanings and purposes of your life. Have you discovered what really makes you come alive? The purpose of this week is twofold: 1) to help you along your journey in finding your answer to that question, and learning how to live it out in everyday life. 2) to help you and your "Band of Brothers" deepen your relationship and commitment to one another in that journey! Back to Top of Page 2. What would the week look like? The adventure begins on Sunday afternoon with your arrival at Yarmony Creek Lodge and concludes on Friday morning when you head back home. Daily outdoor activities are designed to challenge you both mentally and physically, not to mention the sheer excitement and fun that each activity brings. Experience individual growth and form a deeper relationship with your "Band of Brothers." Respond to the most important questions that any man considers through fireside chats, individual quiet time, and those always unpredictable "teachable moments." Back to Top of Page 3. What outdoor activities are involved? Activities obviously are dependent on the season, but involve the following: • horseback riding • hiking • fly-fishing • snow-shoeing • skeet and trap shooting • paintball adventures Back to Top of Page 4. What are the accommodations like? The Yarmony Creek Lodge at Yarmony Creek Ranch, a working ranch in the beautiful mountains of central Colorado. The Lodge is a restored 1900 homesteader's Ranch House and has been designed and built specifically for the purpose of these retreat experiences. Careful planning went into the balance of comfort and simplicity in the western atmosphere of the lodge. • incredible views of mountains • 5 comfortable bedrooms, each with private baths • fire pit • kitchen facilities serving some of the most wonderful meals you'll ever have • a "great room" with a huge fireplace • porches and decks with outdoor fireplace • miles of trails • surrounded by 40,000 acres of public land • library with fireplace Back to Top of Page 5. How much does it cost? The cost for a week at the Yarmony Creek Lodge is fairly expensive. However, you will be asked to cover only the cost of your transportation to Eagle County, Colorado. Sounds like a deal too good to be true, doesn't it? God has given the vision, the passion and the resources to a group of guys to step out in faith with this ministry. It is just that simple! We feel that if you are willing to invest a week of vacation time, six days away from your family, and the openness to explore God's hopes and dreams for you, then the least we can do is provide the setting. A $250 deposit per man (refundable when you show up!) is required to secure your week at the Lodge Back to Top of Page 6. What should I bring? The setting is casual and western. If you bring a tie, we'll string you up with it! Clothing and personal gear that fit an active outdoor experience are appropriate. We'll send you a more detailed packing list as your week approaches. Of course, we will provide all the technical gear for any of the experiences that require such. Back to Top of Page 7. Is it dangerous? Yes, this is a dangerous week! Danger is, of course, a relative term. You will be challenged with outdoor activities that might push on the limits of your comfort zone. Of course, in all of these activities, you will have experienced professional leadership. Even more "dangerous," however, is the challenge you will experience in the conversations, discussions and personal explorations of your own life. "Are you living out of your heart? Are you really who you want to be? Are you who God really intended you to be? Are you fully alive? What is it that makes you feel really alive. Go and do that! Because what the world needs are people who are really alive." Back to Top of Page 8. Is there some physical fitness level required? This is not paramilitary training; you do not need to be a tri-athlete; or a cowboy. However, it is obvious that some of the activities you see listed require a moderate level of fitness and stamina. Before your scheduled week, you will receive a fairly detailed survey that will help us design the activities for the week that best fit the experience and fitness level of your group. Please be clear about this: you will be encouraged to move out of your comfort zone physically, emotionally and spiritually! Back to Top of Page 9. What should I do to prepare for the week? There are several books we strongly recommend that you read before your week at Yarmony Creek Lodge: • Wild at Heart by John Eldredge • Let Your Life Speak by Parker Palmer • The Way of the Wild Heart by John Eldredge Do whatever it takes for you to prepare for a week of personal reflection, physical challenge and excitement, spiritual exploration, and deep, meaningful relationships. Back to Top of Page 10. How do we get there? Yarmony Creek Lodge is located just outside of McCoy, Colorado on the edge of the Flat Tops Wilderness, the largest continuous wilderness area in Colorado. The airport in Eagle, CO is served by five major airlines during the winter season, and is served by several commuter airlines year round. Whether you fly or drive to Colorado, we will make arrangements to shuttle your group to the Yarmony Creek Lodge. We will, of course, provide details for travel when your week is confirmed. Click here to see more detailed directions. Back to Top of Page 11. What happens after the week is over? We want to follow up with you and your "Band of Brothers." It is our hope that this week will be the beginning of a lifetime relationship of encouragement, affirmation, challenge and friendship. We hope that you would return to Yarmony Creek Lodge regularly for renewal and reflection. We will keep in contact with newsletters, e-mails, articles and any other way that helps us maintain the connection. We expect that we will learn about other great ideas that would be helpful in your journey, and we intend to pass those along to you and your "Band of Brothers." We really are all in this together! Back to Top of Page