The organiser’s packing list for a residential retreat

Walk through each session and list the materials it requires: printed prompts, pens, paper, adapters, timers and any equipment agreed with a facilitator. Check what the venue supplies before transporting duplicates. Keep essential documents available offline. A box of miscellaneous workshop supplies is less useful than the right materials grouped by the session that needs them.

Bring a clear schedule, supplier contact list and a way to communicate changes. Label your equipment and agree where it can be stored. Keep participant information secure rather than leaving rooming lists or dietary details on a public table. Plan how materials will leave with you at the end. A final sweep for chargers, flipcharts and personal belongings saves the venue and guests a trail of follow-up messages.

For the wider context, read our planning guide. If you are working through the next practical detail, closing a retreat without rushing the goodbye follows naturally from this.

You can also explore retreat hosting at Selgars. Bring the details of your group or stay to the conversation so we can discuss what fits, rather than assuming every arrangement is included.