2026 Fall Retreat in Alton, NH

November 13-15, 2026 at Brookwoods Camp & Conference Center

Registration is now open!

We are so excited for our annual all-ages fall retreat on Nov. 13-15, 2026 at Brookwoods Camp & Conference Center on Lake Winnepesaukee in Alton, NH!! The fall church retreat has historically been a very joyful opportunity for our community to connect, get to know one another and form new friendships outside of brief Sunday worship greetings. It's a time to be refreshed and spiritually challenged together as we step back from the city and from some of our normal routines and concerns, to grow in perspective of who God is and what He has done, and in purpose as His treasured children. Seven Hills newcomers and regular attenders alike (all ages!) are welcome. We hope you will join us for some thought-provoking conversations, worship and reflection, good food, great people, cozy cabins, games, and beautiful lakeside woods!

An Exploration of the Emotional Life in the Psalms

Psalm 139:23 says, “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!”. Beneath the language of “heart” in the Bible is a breadth and depth of emotional experience that is often avoided and misunderstood. Yet, the Bible calls us to regularly engage in honest conversation with the Lord regarding our emotional struggles. How do we bring our whole hearts to God? Together, we will explore some critical heart issues related to our emotional life and apply a Biblical framework for growing our awareness, and response, to different emotional struggles within ourselves and others.

2026 Speaker

We are pleased to welcome the Rev. Dr. Bryan Loney to lead our time of teaching for the weekend. Bryan came to faith in Jesus while working as a professor of Clinical Psychology. After receiving tenure, he was called to pastoral ministry and 13 years of church planting work in Boston. Burdened for the growing mental health needs in our churches, Bryan recently transitioned to a new pastoral position at Harbor Christian Counseling (Boston, MA) where he integrates his unique pastoral and professional psychology experience. There, Bryan directs an initiative called the Church Mental Health Partnership, focused on supporting and equipping church leaders to address church mental health care issues. Bryan, his wife, and two daughters recently moved to West Simsbury, CT. Trading the sounds of the city for the sounds of wildlife, they remain vigilant for the many black bears that live in their neighborhood.

What to Expect

While the details and programming are still being finalized for the weekend, here's a little info on what to expect this year:

Typically guests arrive as their schedules permit sometime on Friday evening to check in and get settled. Brookwoods Camp is about 2 hrs north of Somerville (we will help coordinate rides). On Friday evening, guests typically arrive as schedules allow between 4pm-8pm, with pizza provided for early guests. On Saturday after breakfast together, there will be structured small group discussions and large group worship together, with childcare & kids' programming provided, then a long stretch of free down time in the afternoon for outdoor adventures, crafting, naps, soccer, reading, or other fun of your own design. In the evenings, plan on some guided group conversations (while kids enjoy a family-friendly movie on Saturday night), some board games or puzzles together, maybe a singalong, stargazing, and a bonfire as weather permits. (Note that Camp Brookwoods is a dry campus, so we thank you for understanding that alcohol is not permitted on the premises.) On Sunday, we’ll enjoy breakfast, some time to pack up, followed by a time of devotion and worship together, lunch and ice cream sundaes, and then head home to Boston.

Lodging & Meals

Camp Brookwoods features a variety of housing options, including shared bunked cabins and a limited number of private rooms. Private rooms and shared cabins are located near the main building lodge in the surrounding campground (see a map here). Once all registrations are received, leaders will work to assign housing carefully according to individual needs and preferences as best we are able. We look forward to fun new opportunities for community and connection at the retreat!

Shared Cabins - Cabin bunkhouses feature a large open room with up to 14 bunked beds with shared in-cabin bathroom facilities. Some cabins will be organized by sex (women & girls in one, men & boys in another). Other cabins may be assigned, with prior permission from each household, with two families with similarly aged children all sharing one cabin bunk house.

Private Rooms - A limited number of private rooms with a private bath + queen bed, plus additional twin bunks/mattresses as needed (and floor space for a pack-n-play), will be available by request for an additional $50 fee per unit. Those with health/mobility limitations and families with infants/toddlers will be given priority for private rooms as space allows.

Brookwoods provides all meals and is happy to accommodate dietary needs (vegetarian, food allergies/restrictions, etc), so please indicate any special requirements or requests in your registration form. Upon request, guests may also access a refrigerator to store outside food or medicine for health or allergy reasons.

Daytime-Only Attendance (without Lodging)
We'd love to have you join for any portion of the retreat! Adjusted costs are available for those who wish to attend the retreat for just a day or during the daytime, or who prefer to find their own nighttime lodging off-site. The adjusted flat rate cost includes all meals and daytime activities/programming. See "Cost & Payment" for details.

Cost & Payment

Standard retreat costs include two nights lodging at Brookwoods Conference Center (equipped with all standard modern amenities), as well as optional dinner + snack on Friday, breakfast, lunch, dinner + snack on Saturday, and breakfast + lunch on Sunday, plus access to additional optional activities and programming.

2026 Standard Rates 
$135 per adult/teen (15+)
$80 per youth (6-14yrs)
Free for children 0-5yrs
Household max: $395 (not including private room fee)
$50 extra per Private Room (please do not include in payment at this time)

Daytime-only Rates - Finding separate lodging, or driving up for just the day? Meals and all daytime programming are included in these adjusted flat fees for those who cannot attend the full weekend:

$75 per adult (no lodging)
$45 per youth (no lodging)
Free for children 0-5

Scholarships
We do not want cost to prevent anyone from coming! If the retreat cost is prohibitive to you, we do have scholarships available. Please indicate in the form if you need a scholarship to attend.

Payment Methods & Timing
Payment is available by credit card, or by check to "Seven Hills Presbyterian" ("Fall retreat" in the memo) in the offering basket during Sunday worship. If preferred, we are happy to accept a partial payment to reserve your spot, with the remaining balance due by Sunday, Nov. 5 the week of the retreat. A minimum payment of $25/adult or $50/household is required to reserve your spot.

Refunds & Cancellations
After registration, if you are prevented from participating in the retreat due to any symptoms, illness, injury, or family emergency, we would be happy to provide a refund.

Questions?

You'll find additional information in the registration form. Details including schedule, room assignments and what to bring, will be forthcoming in November. In the meantime, we would be happy to address any of your questions or concerns as we are able--please reach out to any of the staff, or to Holly Wiggin. We hope to see you there!

Testimonials

"I had a blast!!! A big thanks to the group for the tremendous planning and work to make such a great weekend. My soul is full!"

 "This was so life-giving for so many, not least of which our kids for whom this continues to be a highlight for the year!"