Retreat Schedule & Talks

Retreat Schedule & Talk Examples

At Rock Lake Retreats & Events in College Station, we design a retreat schedule that are immersive and help teams grow stronger, communicate more effectively, and collaborate at their best. Our retreats combine interactive talks, leadership sessions, and team-building activities, giving participants practical skills in areas like Working Genius, conflict resolution, and strengths-based leadership. With a mix of structured learning, fun challenges, and restorative downtime, your team will leave refreshed, aligned, and ready to tackle challenges together.

1. Crucial Conversations

Learn techniques for having difficult conversations with staff and colleagues in a way that resolves conflict and strengthens relationships.
Resource:  “Crucial Conversations”  By:  Patterson, Grenny, McMillan, Switzler

2. The Culture of Expectations

Explore how to clearly set, communicate, and maintain expectations to improve accountability and team alignment.

3. The 5 Dysfunctions of a Team

An overview of Patrick Lencioni’s framework for understanding why teams fail and strategies to overcome trust, conflict, commitment, accountability, and results issues.

4. Strengths-Based Leadership

Discover how to leverage individual and team strengths to improve communication, problem-solving, and overall team performance. We’ll Introduce the “Working Genius” and “Clifton Strengths” as a model to help you understand the different areas of productivity & strengths to maximize collaboration.

5. Integrated Life & Boundaries

Explore how to bring together all parts of your life—work, family, faith, personal growth—while establishing healthy boundaries to maintain balance and well-being.

6. Effective Feedback That Sticks

Learn how to give and receive feedback in a way that is constructive, actionable, and maintains strong relationships.

7. Multipliers: How Great Leaders Make Everyone Smarter

A session based on Liz Wiseman’s book. Learn how leaders can amplify team talent, energy, and creativity, and how to avoid “diminisher” behaviors that limit performance.

8. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

A session based on Stephen Covey’s classic. Covers principles like being proactive, beginning with the end in mind, prioritization, and building strong, trust-based relationships for leadership and life integration.

Retreat Schedule Example

Day 1 (1/2 day)

3:00–3:30 — Hotel Check-In
 3:30–4:00 — Travel to Rock Lake
 4:00–4:30 — Welcome + Orientation
 4:30–6:00 — Session 1: Organizational Health — What Makes a Healthy Team w/activities
 6:00–7:00 — Dinner (Buffet Style taco bar)
 7:00–9:00 — Firepit Roundtable (Facilitated discussion + unstructured conversation & bonding)
 9:00 — Return to hotel

Day 2 (full day)

7:30–8:30 — Breakfast (hotel)
 8:30–9:00 — Travel to Rock Lake
 9:00–10:30 — Session 2: Working Genius — Strength-Based Teaming
 10:30–10:45 — Break
 10:45–12:15 — Working Genius Scenarios
12:15–1:15 — Lunch (Sandwich Trays, chips, drinks)
 1:15–4:30 — Rock Lake Field Games Challenge  (Axe throwing, Cornhole, slingshot challenge & map/compass challenge)
 4:30–6:00 — Free Time & Recap
 6:00–7:00 — Dinner – 3 course meal, plated and served (Lone Star Steak Dinner)
 7:00–9:00 — Firepit • S’mores & Awards
 9:00 — Return to hotel

Day 3  (1/2 day)

7:30–8:30 — Breakfast (hotel)
 8:30–9:00 — Travel to Rock Lake (personal vehicles)
 9:00–10:30 — Session 3: Creating an environment to thrive (talk + activities)
 10:30–12:00 — Choose 3 activities from the following list

  • Blacksmithing
  • Leatherworking 
  • Pizza Making
  • Axe Throwing
  • Goat Yoga
  • Candle Making
  • Painting
  • Flower Arrangement 

2:00–1:00 — Lunch (On site pizza oven)
 1:00–2:30 — Closing session & dismissal – Putting everything into practice, takeaways, etc.