The Best Outdoor Activities For Your Summer Women’s Retreat

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For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made…

Romans 1:20

God reveals Himself to us through His creation. Watching a sunrise or sunset, listening to waves crash upon a rock, feeling the warmth of the sun on your face all point us back to an almighty creator. God is creative and we see that in the beauty of the world around us. I find myself too often forgetting to pause and enjoy the gift of nature around me. And nature never seems to be my priority when planning women’s ministry events.

When I think of a typical women’s ministry retreat, I usually picture a myriad of indoor activities. Crafting, pampering, air-conditioned lecture halls, and cozy coffee shop book clubs. When I picture a men’s retreat I think of camping, fishing, hiking, and more outdoor fun. While I’m sure we all enjoy a nice hotel and a good spa, there’s great value in planning meaningful, creative outdoor activities for your summer women’s retreat. And what better time than summer, when the sun shines, the skies are blue, the lakes are warm and the grass is green?

Outdoor Activities Are Perfect For All Women’s Ministries

On top of the beautiful weather, many women don’t get much opportunity to relax and enjoy nature in the summer. They’re focused on keeping kids who are home on break entertained and not rotting in front of a TV. Providing a time for them to unplug, unwind, and focus on their spiritual journey among their church community can be so rewarding. Summer is the perfect time to shift your focus in women’s ministry from indoor book clubs and bible studies to more hands-on experiences in nature. Thinking creatively on how we can bring the usual goals of spiritual growth and deeper friendship to the great outdoors can enrich our ministries.

Engaging in outdoor activities doesn’t require a women’s ministry full of young athletic women. Women of all ages can be blessed by spending time in God’s creation. Outdoor activities don’t have to be physically strenuous to be impactful. The most important part is encouraging women take the time to appreciate and explore the marvelous creation around us that displays the majesty of our Creator. 

Be Sure To Have A Variety Of Activities

You may be sure that every woman in your group would love that white water rafting trip, but it’s important to provide a variety of activities. Make sure your schedule of events includes activities that are inclusive and accessible to all. While all the women you know may prefer one thing, what about the friends they invite? The church neighbor who’d like to join? You don’t want someone new or visiting to feel uncomfortable or left out. Be sure that your events allow everyone to participate, have fun, and build deeper connections with the women in your church.

If you do plan an event that’s more strenuous, is there an alternate option that those who cannot participate would enjoy? Is the alternate something that will make them feel alienated or “less than”? For every event you plan that may be more exclusive, is there at least one that can include all? These are important to remember, as many outdoor activities can require a certain level of physical ability, and you want to be sure no one is left out.

6 Best Activities For Your Summer Women’s Retreats

1. Scavenger Hunt

Embrace your inner child and plan a good old-fashioned scavenger hunt. You can match clues to any theme you are working with and provide a silly prize for the winning team. There are many premade options online, especially if you search sites designed for teachers. (This site is a great one). Assign teams to encourage women to get to know people they don’t normally talk to.

Appoint a group leader who can keep the energy up, lead the group, and help new or shy folks stay involved. The game can be as simple or as complicated as you’d like, just make sure you are having fun! A photo scavenger hunt, where you have to take a picture of your whole team at each stop, will provide you with some great pictures for your social media posts after the event. A scavenger hunt is a great way to explore a new area of your city, a park, or even a neighborhood around your church.

Use it as an icebreaker at the beginning of an event. It also provides a great opportunity to get outside and moving if you need a break. Make the clues silly nonsense or consider making them specific to the women in your ministry as a way to get to know each other better. Or make the clues match what you are focused on for the retreat, and use them as a fun way to quiz ladies or reinforce important points.

2. A Service Project

There are so many fun things to do outside, but we can also take advantage of the warmer weather to serve those outside our church walls. Plan a time when you gather your gardening gear and tackle the weeds in a neighbor’s yard. Just make sure you coordinate with them first so you are sure to just pull weeds, not their favorite flowers! Or stop by a shut-in’s home to plant some flowers and clean up their landscaping.

This is often a chore that gets abandoned when people struggle physically. Plan to bring some lemonade and treats to share on their porch for a time of fellowship too. You may even consider stopping by another ministry you partner with, like a homeless shelter or women’s home, and offer to help beautify their landscaping.

If gardening isn’t your thing, plan an afternoon of fun for kids and host a time when parents can drop their kids off for free. Play water games, enjoy a playground, and share the gospel with kids while they sit on the grass eating popsicles. With a strong leader, even those who aren’t used to working with kids may enjoy this time, and what a great way to serve families in your community. Be sure to follow all appropriate safety procedures and have clear structures and schedules for the day.

While we often spend our time at women’s ministry events being pampered and being fed spiritually it can be so rewarding to get our hands dirty and serve as well. Service projects provide opportunities for women to live out their faith in action. Engaging in acts of service can strengthen women’s spiritual connection as they experience the fulfillment and joy that come from serving others selflessly. Sharing these spiritual experiences deepens connections as women bond over their shared faith and commitment to making a positive difference in the world.

3. Kayaking/ Canoeing

While these kinds of activities are typically thought of for men’s retreats, many women enjoy some quiet time on the water too! Ask around if there are people in your church who would lend their kayaks and canoes or look into renting them. Find a great local spot and enjoy some time together going on an adventure!

This is an activity that someone who is an experienced boater will enjoy, but also an easy skill for a newcomer to learn. A group of Christian women is the perfect supportive environment to learn a new skill! For some women, kayaking may evoke feelings of fear or uncertainty, especially if they are inexperienced or uncomfortable in water. Supporting each other through moments of fear and uncertainty can deepen connections among participants as they witness and affirm each other’s strength and resilience.

If you have many women who wouldn’t be comfortable in a kayak or canoe, see if you can rent a pontoon boat for those who just want to sit and relax on the water. Or set up a spot where those who are unable to boat can wait with a picnic lunch for a break halfway through. It may be a great time to do a quick devotional with the ladies beside the water in the sunshine. And I doubt anyone would mind sitting in a chair beside a body of water fellowshipping with friends.

4. Schedule An Outside Devotional

Consider carving out a time for women to have their own private devotional time, but encourage them to go outside. Even if it’s just the lawn around your church, encourage women to sit quietly in nature and listen for God’s still small voice. The outdoor environment can inspire reflection and contemplation, providing a serene backdrop for studying scripture. Whether sitting by a babbling brook, under a canopy of trees, or just in a quiet part of the church playground, the peacefulness of nature can facilitate deeper insights into biblical passages and foster spiritual growth.

For many women who are so busy, being asked to sit quietly in the sunshine is a luxury! You can provide a devotional that focuses on creation or just send them out to sit quietly and listen. Afterward, gather together somewhere outdoors and discuss the experience. What did you read? What did you hear from God? Was it difficult to sit in quiet for so long? This is such a simple concept, but many people find themselves much closer to God when they are out in nature. Pairing that closeness with the study of scripture could be a memorable moment for your women’s ministry retreat.

5. Landscape Painting

I’ll be the first to admit I am no artist. But even I enjoy the fellowship and fun of a guided painting class with a group of friends. Set up an outdoor, landscape painting event somewhere with a beautiful view of God’s creation. Find a local artist to help guide even the most non-artistic types through the steps of painting the landscape.

Provide cool drinks, delicious snacks, and plenty of time for laughing and chatting with each other. This event might require quite a few supplies up front, but if you invest in paints, paint brushes, and easels this could be an event you do often. How fun would it be for the ladies to have a collection of paintings all done with their church friends?

6. Campfire Service

End your retreat with a time of worship around a campfire. Ask someone who can play guitar and lead in a few worship songs. There’s something about singing worship with a group of Christian women under the stars around a roaring fire that tends to open hearts and deepen relationships.

Take time to lead the women to share what they’ve learned and what they’ll be taking home from the retreat. Listening to the stories and testimonies of others is a powerful way to deepen friendships. Afterward, break up into small groups and ask more mature Christian women to pray for younger ones.

Ladies’ Night Campfires could become a tradition you continue throughout the summer, hosted in different group member’s backyards. This would be a great way to foster year-round relationships with the ladies in your church.

Remember The Most Important Thing

The goal of a great summer women’s retreat is not to produce fantastic social media content, it’s to deepen Christian women’s friendships and help them grow spiritually. Planning simple, fun activities that match your mission and meet the needs of the women in your ministry should be your focus. Don’t compare your itinerary to others that you see. Don’t be discouraged if your events seem too simple. But also, don’t be afraid to think outside the box. Challenge yourself to think of new ways you can plan outdoor events for you women’s ministry retreat.

Finding Fellowship In Adventure

Experiencing the wonders of creation alongside our sisters in Christ is valuable. Summer provides the perfect backdrop for women’s ministries to organize engaging outdoor activities that promote fellowship, personal growth, and spiritual connection in a refreshing and uplifting environment. 

Consider these activities for your next summer women’s ministry retreat and don’t be afraid to leave the fellowship hall and find an adventure!

Read More:

Women’s Retreat Theme: A Moment In Time – Small Church Ministry

Hosting Your First Women’s Retreat In Your Small Church

Women’s Ministry Ideas To Build Community