Post by bsimon615 on Jul 5, 2018 14:51:11 GMT -6
As everyone (should know) we have had some issues with the Feliciana Retreat Center where the DSSG has been held for the past 9 years (2009 thru 2017) and we are planning to move forward to a new location which has been identified. (The White Horse Christian Retreat Center).
Having said this I do recognize that different people have different priorities and what one might consider a top priority is not necessarily what others might consider to be a top priority. I am putting this post together to get feedback from as many people as possible so that we can get a better idea what peoples' needs are when it comes to an organized star party where your attendance may run from as short as one day and one evening to as many as 6 days and 5 overnight stays. Before I list some questions that I would like to get some feedback on, I want to outline what I believe are the strengths and weaknesses of both the White Horse Christian Retreat and the Feliciana Retreat Center, followed by what are my priorities (and why). I will follow that with questions that I would like to get feedback on.
Note - I will not guess or speculate about how some people may feel and about what their priorities are. I will further say that I have not yet notified the Feliciana Retreat Center that we are not returning this fall. While I expect to do that, if I can, I want to wait until after we have a trial run at the White Horse Retreat Center. If for any reason anyone is put into a position where they are in contact with the Feliciana Retreat Center, please do not mention the fact that we are moving. They have to hear it from me and I want to communicate that in such a way that we do not burn any bridges. Essentially I will tell Feliciana Retreat that we are moving for better skies and better horizons.
White Horse Christian Retreat
Darker Skies -------------------------Strength
Lower Horizons ----------------------Strength
More area to set up equipment-----Strength
No need to lay out field-------------Strength
Shorter drive for most attendees---Strength
Staff owns site and lives on site----Strength
Shorter walk to main bldg.----------Strength
Snack bar (burgers, etc. at nite)----Strength
Proximity to stores/lodging----------Strength
Proximity to other attractions-------Strength
Working internet---------------------Strength
Television/satellite-------------------Strength
On-Site Lodging (bunks only)-------Weakness
Feliciana Retreat Center
Beautiful Site------------------------Strength
Lodging Options---------------------Strength
Shorter drive for some--------------Strength
Brighter Skies------------------------Weakness
Restricted Horizons------------------Weakness
Less area to set up equipment------Weakness
Have to lay out the field-------------Weakness
Staff is not on site--------------------Weakness
Unkept promises by staff------------Weakness
Longer walk to main bldg.-----------Weakness
Worse proximity to services---------Weakness
No internet/marginal internet-------Weakness
I think everyone knows where I stand on all of this, yes, I wish we had the housing options that we have had at the Feliciana Retreat Center. Everything else is clearly in favor of the White Horse Christian Retreat Center. I believe the top priority is the sky and we get a darker sky and better horizons at White Horse. I would however be curious to hear if there is anyone who feels that lodging options is the top priority and everything else is secondary to that. It is nice to know that we do have options.
Barry Simon
Having said this I do recognize that different people have different priorities and what one might consider a top priority is not necessarily what others might consider to be a top priority. I am putting this post together to get feedback from as many people as possible so that we can get a better idea what peoples' needs are when it comes to an organized star party where your attendance may run from as short as one day and one evening to as many as 6 days and 5 overnight stays. Before I list some questions that I would like to get some feedback on, I want to outline what I believe are the strengths and weaknesses of both the White Horse Christian Retreat and the Feliciana Retreat Center, followed by what are my priorities (and why). I will follow that with questions that I would like to get feedback on.
Note - I will not guess or speculate about how some people may feel and about what their priorities are. I will further say that I have not yet notified the Feliciana Retreat Center that we are not returning this fall. While I expect to do that, if I can, I want to wait until after we have a trial run at the White Horse Retreat Center. If for any reason anyone is put into a position where they are in contact with the Feliciana Retreat Center, please do not mention the fact that we are moving. They have to hear it from me and I want to communicate that in such a way that we do not burn any bridges. Essentially I will tell Feliciana Retreat that we are moving for better skies and better horizons.
White Horse Christian Retreat
Darker Skies -------------------------Strength
Lower Horizons ----------------------Strength
More area to set up equipment-----Strength
No need to lay out field-------------Strength
Shorter drive for most attendees---Strength
Staff owns site and lives on site----Strength
Shorter walk to main bldg.----------Strength
Snack bar (burgers, etc. at nite)----Strength
Proximity to stores/lodging----------Strength
Proximity to other attractions-------Strength
Working internet---------------------Strength
Television/satellite-------------------Strength
On-Site Lodging (bunks only)-------Weakness
Feliciana Retreat Center
Beautiful Site------------------------Strength
Lodging Options---------------------Strength
Shorter drive for some--------------Strength
Brighter Skies------------------------Weakness
Restricted Horizons------------------Weakness
Less area to set up equipment------Weakness
Have to lay out the field-------------Weakness
Staff is not on site--------------------Weakness
Unkept promises by staff------------Weakness
Longer walk to main bldg.-----------Weakness
Worse proximity to services---------Weakness
No internet/marginal internet-------Weakness
I think everyone knows where I stand on all of this, yes, I wish we had the housing options that we have had at the Feliciana Retreat Center. Everything else is clearly in favor of the White Horse Christian Retreat Center. I believe the top priority is the sky and we get a darker sky and better horizons at White Horse. I would however be curious to hear if there is anyone who feels that lodging options is the top priority and everything else is secondary to that. It is nice to know that we do have options.
Barry Simon