Ideas for retreat locations to take a group of teens? (Durham: to rent, chapel)

[KIMBERRRR]

I'm an adviser for the freshmen class council at the high school I work at and wanted to take next year's staff on a couple day retreat to get them to bond with each other. When I lived in CA, there were several places I could rent to do this, including universities who would allow you to rent out their dorms. Anyone have any ideas for this? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[ausmerika]

You can check with Granville Towers at UNC-CH. It's privately owned and may be available for this sort of thing (I know they house campers there during the summer). Also, Avila Retreat House in Durham (although it may not appeal to you if a religious run retreat center bothers you, but it is a wonderful site). Another option may be Camp New Hope in Hillsborough (Old 86). I don't know about places in Wake Co...perhaps other posters can weigh in.

[Francois]

Umstead Park has a couple of sites with many cabins and a "lodge" (kitchen, fireplace, etc)--I went on a school overnight trip there years ago and it was really cool (as a student). I think there are at least two of these out there. Go to the Umstead Park website. I think students would find this much more memorable than staying in dorms.

[kelly237]

Best staff bonding retreat I ever attended was when I was a counselor at Elon. We all
spent a day at Rock Eagle park ( near burlington) I will try to find out of they are still open
or maybe someone reading this will know. You have a leader That guides your team
through team building activities doing h outdoor tihngs like zip lines and wall climbing but it is done in a way that the ones having trouble doing things are a team challenge and no one feels like they are holding the group back(at least that is the way I remember it) Then we went to an over night cabin in Roxboro to cookout and plan for the year,

[Nomad Relo]

My office had a great teambuilidng event at the Beth Haltiwanger Retreat Center on Lake Tillery in the Uwharrie National Park. They have team leaders that can take you through exercises and have a ropes course, climbing tower as well.

[kelly237]

Link to the team building challenge course in Efland , NC

Chestnut Ridge Camp and Retreat Center, Efland, NC - Teambuilding (http://www.campchestnutridge.org/content/view/29/52/ - broken link)

[DanielChang]

Aqueduct Conference Center in Chapel Hill had also been suggested for small/medium size groups.

[KIMBERRRR]

Thanks so much everyone for the posts, I will start checking these out. If anyone else has more suggestions, I would love to hear them. No religious sites, though, since it is a public school group (it wouldn't bother me personally, but is against school policy).

Thanks again.