Comfort is the key! Casual attire is perfectly appropriate for the retreat. You'll spend most of the weekend seated, with occasional standing and light walking between activities. There are no strenuous physical activities planned, but we do encourage you to dress comfortably and consider the September weather when choosing your clothing.

Please enjoy breakfast before arriving on Saturday morning. Lunch, dinner, snacks, and refreshments will be provided throughout the day on Saturday. You'll return home Saturday evening. On Sunday morning, breakfast, lunch, snacks, and refreshments will be provided before the retreat concludes following the 3:00 p.m. Mass.

One of the greatest gifts you can give yourself is the opportunity to step away from the distractions of everyday life. We ask that cell phones, smart watches, tablets, and other electronic devices be turned off and left in your vehicle or stored away during the retreat. This allows everyone to be fully present and engaged in the experience. Emails, text messages, social media, and internet searches can all wait until the weekend is complete.

If a family member or close friend needs to contact you during the retreat because of an emergency, they may reach one of our retreat leaders, who will ensure that you receive the message promptly.

• Paul Trapp (Head Couple) – (703) 232-5792
• Kimberly Trapp (Head Couple) – (703) 232-5865
• Diane Francisco (Retreat Coach) – (321) 720-2996

We encourage you to share these numbers with anyone who may need to reach you during the weekend.

We want everyone to be able to fully participate in the retreat. If you have dietary restrictions, mobility concerns, medical needs, or require any reasonable accommodations, please let us know before the retreat. We will do everything we reasonably can to accommodate your needs and ensure you have a meaningful and comfortable experience.

Participation is always your choice. Throughout the weekend, there may be opportunities for personal reflection and voluntary sharing within small groups. We ask everyone to create a safe and welcoming environment by listening respectfully, speaking with kindness, and honoring each person's comfort level.

Yes. One of the foundations of the Alpha retreat experience is trust. We ask everyone to respect the privacy of fellow participants by treating anything shared during the weekend as confidential. Creating a safe space allows everyone to participate openly and authentically.

To help create the best possible experience for everyone, we ask that participants:

• Arrive on time for all scheduled activities so the group can begin each session together.
• Listen respectfully when others are speaking, recognizing that they may be sharing something meaningful and personal.
• Refrain from smoking inside the facility. Smoking is permitted only in designated outdoor areas.
• Please do not bring or use alcohol, illegal drugs, or any other prohibited substances during the retreat.
• Be present, be respectful, and be encouraging to those around you.

Simply come with an open mind, an open heart, and a willingness to participate. You don't need to have all the answers, nor do you need any special knowledge or preparation. The more you invest in the experience—through listening, participating, reflecting, and engaging with others—the more meaningful and rewarding the weekend is likely to be.