Glisson Retreat Facilities

In keeping with the gold mining tradition of the Dahlonega area, our cabins include steeply-pitched tin roofs and rough-hewn siding. The porches are reminiscent of shelters miners would build over their mine shafts to protect from weather while working.ca

The interior includes wooden plank floors and ceilings. Wall-mounted light fixtures mimic the hand-held lanterns which gold miners would use to illuminate their dark mine shafts. Each cabin offers comfortable, modern bath amenities.

Interior of Village Cabin

Loding: Ivie Lodge

Ivie Lodge is our newest retreat lodge, offering dormitory-style, air-conditioned accommodations for up to 44 people. A separate, private leader room is also available. Ivie also has its own small field and separate parking lot.

Ivie Lodge includes a large gathering room with a large stone fireplace (above), two smaller gathering rooms, a catering kitchen and a large rocking chair porch overlooking Cane Creek (located behind fireplace in above picture).

Sparrowwood Lodge was renovated in 2009 with a new heating and A/C system and wood panel ceilings. In the summer, it houses our Sparrowwood campers.

For retreat groups, Sparrowwood Lodge offers air-conditioned, dormitory-style accommodations for up to 42 people, meeting space, and a large rocking chair porch overlooking beautiful Cane Creek.

Each Sparrowwood room connects to another room by a shared bathroom.

Meeting Space: Bob Cagle Program Center

Constructed in 2003, the Bob Cagle Program Center is our most modern meeting facility for retreat groups. The Cagle Center offers one large, partitionable, exhibit/meeting room with multimedia capabilities.

In keeping with our architecture reflecting the gold mining tradition of the Dahlonega area, the Cagle Center is modeled after a stamp mill.

In addition, there are two smaller meeting rooms, a catering kitchen, elevator access to all three floors and a patio overlooking beautiful Cane Creek Falls.

Cane Creek Falls in Autumn

Originally built as an open-air structure, the Chapel is now heated for year-round use by retreat groups in the fall, winter and spring, and can seat over 200 people.

Built in 1950, the Chapel has long been the spiritual center of Camp Glisson. Every year, summer campers and retreat participants feel the very real presence of God during worship moments in the Chapel.

The path of silence and surrounding benches offer a place for groups to prepare for worship or break into small groups afterward.

Meeting Space: "Down Under", located on the bottom floor of the Dining Hall, recently has been renovated. It now includes two flat screen TVs for multimedia use.

Meeting Space: Squierrel's Nest is a smaller meeting space best suited for groups up to 25 persons

Meeting Space: The Holland Building is a large, heated gymnasium with a stage.

Activities: The Holland Building is also a good place for group activities in the winter or in case of rain.

Holland has a half court basketball court (2 goals) inside and one goal outside.

Activities: The Ball Field is centrally located in Camp and is big enough for most any large-group games.

Activities: The Swofford Amphitheater at Lake Hale is a good location for an outdoor worship service or camp fire.

Overlooking Lake Hale, the Amphitheater seats more than 200 campers during Summer Camp.

Activities: Kayaking on Lake Hale

Activities: The Dining Hall front porch can be used as a covered, outdoor gathering area. The porch features a large fireplace.

Activities: Our new swimming center is open for retreat groups in April and May and from August to October.

The swimming center features a diving board and solar heating to keep water comfortable for early Fall and late Spring.

The swimming center also has a slide.

The Old Rec Hall is one of our older activity spaces, typically used in the case of inclement weather.

The Outpost: Wide view of the Outpost field, covered kitchen (middle) and an Adirondack shelter (to the right)

One of four Outpost Adirondack shelters. Each shelter has two levels for sleeping.

The outdoor chapel is nestled next to a small creek that flows into Cane Creek at the edge of the Outpost.

Challenge Course: The 50-ft. Alpine Tower offers numerous above-the-ground challenges for individual and team growth.

Challenge Course: The Giant's Ladder is a 25-foot, 2-person High Element.

Challenge Course: The High Y is another 25-foot, 2-person High Element.

Challenge Course: In 2010, Glisson added multiple new events to our existing Low Element course.

Challenge Course: The 45-ft. Climbing Tower is a converted water tower with six climbing routes on its side.

Challenge Course: The 600-ft. Zipline allows two riders to zip down a mountain and over a lake safely to the other side.

Challenge Course: All Challenge Course activities are facilitated by trained Glisson staff.

Activities: The Archery Range offers retreat participants a chance to learn a new skill. (Glisson facilitator required)

Activities: Hike one of the trails through Glisson's nearly 400 acres. One destination could be the top of Falls Mountain for a group activity.

Activities: Off-site excursions. Call us to inquire about a Glisson-led trip to hike a stretch of the Appalachian Trail or other local trails.

Or ask about a day trip to kayak the Chestatee or Etowah rivers, or to climb a nearby rock face.

To learn more, click one of the tabs above. For a Glisson Map, choose "Facilities." For retreat Rates, pick "Reservations." To book your retreat or ask any questions, contact our Guest Relations Coordinator, Pam, at (706) 864-6181 or info@glisson.org.