Lake Doniphan Conference & Retreat Centre

In a retreat atmosphere, without the normal distractions of daily life, the inner person can be renewed, relationships deepened, learning enhanced, and direction and goals reaffirmed or re-set.

Groups find retreats beneficial for strategic planning meetings, educational events and conferencing. Individuals enjoy the opportunity for peace and personal reflection.

Today so many of us live our lives at a frantic pace in multiple arenas. We scramble from one responsibility to the other, worried, worn and weakened by the demands of daily living. In the midst of our busy-ness and struggle, we yearn for the quiet in the eye of the storm. With a thousand voices competing for our attention, we know we need inner peace, clear vision and meaningful goals. Yet it can be challenging to create moments when we can focus solely on these things.

Businesses, corporate organizations, churches and individuals are finding that one of the most effective methods of centering and re-focusing is the retreat experience.

While there are a variety of retreat styles, each is an intentionally carved-out time to focus on values and perspective. There are individual retreats for those seeking guidance or healing, rest or renewal. There are group retreats to learn, reflect, plan, strategize and strengthen relationships. Spiritual retreats have at their core the opportunity to focus our attention on the Divinity we believe in and see our lives from the divine perspective.

In retreat, we are freed from the pressures and noise of everyday life. We become aware of the peace and beauty of nature around us. Released from our everyday to-do lists we can simply be and experience the reality of divine love in “the deep hush of the whole soul”. In stillness apart from the storms of life, we are renewed in spirit. Our minds are opened to new understandings and possibilities. Our souls are refreshed and re-filled for the journey yet ahead.

In a military context, a retreat is an acknowledgement of defeat, a turning back before the enemy and losing ground. In a spiritual or psychological context, a retreat is a time of pushing the “pause” button of life in order to regroup and renew so that we may continue on in strength and confidence.

If you or your group want to develop strong relationships, to grow spiritually, to re-set goals or direction, or simply to rest and meditate in the beauty of nature -- there is no better way than to retreat!

1. In Excelsior Springs:
Excelsior Springs 18-hole Golf Course is next door. (Tee times & fees: 816-630-3731)
Visit Excelsior's antique & collectibles shops, art galleries, and flea markets.
Tour the Hall of Waters and see the 1930's-style European health spa and the world's longest water bar.
Visit the restored Elms Resort Hotel where Harry Truman and Al Capone stayed. The Elms also offers spa treatments and services. Make arrangements for a little pampering. (816-630-5500)
Paradise Playhouse Dinner Theatre -- good food, South Seas atmosphere, and great comedies (816-630-3333)
2. Fifteen minutes away:
Jesse James Farm & Museum - Authentically preserved home and museum of outlaw Jesse James.
(For admission and hours: 816-628-6065)
Watkins Mill State Park - Thousand Acre Park with 100-acre lake. Site of historic 19th-century Watkins Mill textile factory and homestead.
(For admission and hours: 816-296-3357)
3. Twenty minutes away:
Liberty Cinema 12 movie theater, Shoal Creek Cinema
Liberty Shopping: Pier 1, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Kohl's, Target, etc.
Historic Liberty Jail -- hourly tours
Downtown historic Liberty Square: Shops, tearooms, and bookstores
4. Thirty to Forty minutes away:
Worlds of Fun Theme Park / Oceans of Fun Water Park
Lexington: Antebellum homes and Civil War historic sites
Independence: Harry S. Truman Library Museum, Community of Christ Temple
Union Station/Science City -- interactive exhibits, movies, shops, restaurant
Nelson-Atkins Art Museum and Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art
Kansas City Zoo
The Plaza -- upscale shopping and restaurants, live jazz on weekends
Ameristar Casino -- restaurants, movies, concerts
18th and Vine Jazz Museum and Negro Leagues Baseball Museum