Packing List

Woman Packing for Midwest Pilgrims Retreat
Packing for Pilgrims

Midwest Pilgrims is hosted at a conference center in rural Indiana that is several miles from any stores. It’s important to pack what you will need for three days and two nights.

Pack Like a Pro for Pilgrims

Here are some tips to help you pack for Pilgrims. Bring:

  • Clothing for two days
    • Midwest Pilgrims is usually quite casual.  Some people do choose to dress in “Sunday dress” for the Sabbath devotional, but others come in their pajamas. Anything you are comfortable in is fine with us!
    • We can’t predict the weather, but you can expect average temperatures of 60-70F during the day and 40F at night. Layers work best.
  • Umbrella or Raincoat 
    • It often drizzles or rains at Midwest, and there is a short, uncovered walk between the conference center and main house/sleeping wing. There is also a short walk between the conference center and chapel.
  • Shoes 
    • There are many paths to explore, Bring walking shoes if you think you’d like to hike. THe walking paths are well maintained or paved.
    • Bring a pair of flip flops for the shared shower in your room if you’d like.
  • Medications (as needed)
  • Toiletries
    • Hand soap ONLY is provided in the sleeping wing and main house. Bring your own shampoo, toothpaste, and body wash.
    • Shampoo and bodywash are provided in conference center rooms. Bring your own toothpaste.
  • Know where your TOWEL is if you didn’t pay for the towel add-on!
    • Towels are NOT provided in the main house and sleeping wing, so bring your own or get the towel add-on.
    • Towels are provided in conference center rooms.
  • Technology (optional)
    • Use technology as you see fit, but note that cell phone signals can be dodgy,
    • Wifi is strong the main areas, but it can be weak/nonexistent in the rooms,
    • Please note that recording or photography of presentations or events at Midwest Pilgrims is strictly prohibited for confidentiality reasons.
  • Busy Hands! (optional)
    • If you like to knit, sew, or do other small projects while listening to speakers, you are in the right place! Many Pilgrims bring their crafts to work on during sessions.  This is completely optional, though. (Please note that there may not be tables in all sessions.)
  • Reusable Water bottle (optional)
    • The refill station is located in the Waycross dining room next to the coffee and beverage station.
  • Pen/Paper (optional)
    • You may want to take notes or write on something at retreat.
    • We will provide a list of contact information for all pilgrims to each of you in your welcome packet.
  • Snacks to Share (optional, see below)
  • Auction Donations (optional, see below)

More Packing Considerations

As you anticipate and make plans for the retreat, there are some additional things for which you may want to prepare:

  • Snacks to Share: The communal snack table is a long-standing, much-loved tradition at Midwest Pilgrims — we all look forward to J’s lacy cookies!  If you can, please bring a treat to share with everyone.  Please don’t bring treats that require refrigeration or plates/utensils (it’s grab-and-go style).
  • Silent Auction: This year we’ll again be holding a silent auction to support Midwest Pilgrims scholarships in the future. Donations to the silent auction are completely optional and might include original artwork, small gifts, handicrafts, preserves, massage, jewelry, t-shirts, etc. We accept PayPal, Venmo, and Zelle. Participation is optional.
  • Book Exchange: This year we’ll be facilitating a book exchange, so comb through your bookshelves and nightstands for the books or magazines you’re ready to part with, and come ready to find some new reading material!
  • Ordering Waycross Cookies: Waycross makes cookies to donate to families in need. If you would like to purchase a dozen cookies to enjoy yourself and to support the work Waycross does, you will be able to order them at the retreat and take them with you on Sunday. A baker’s dozen costs $22 and they accept cash, check, or credit cards.
  • Cookie Jars: Barb Hamm, our food services director, works with local charities to distribute cookie jars filled with Waycross cookies during the December holidays. This past December they distributed 30 cookie jars to families with food insecurity through Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard. Consider bringing an empty cookie jar to donate to this project.
  • Money to buy books from other Pilgrims: Midwest Pilgrim authors are welcome to bring copies of their books to sell at the retreat. We will have a few specific times for shopping, including at the end of the silent auction. Payment will be handled by each individual author, so cash may be easiest. 

Find out about the Retreat Location and what to expect at retreat.

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