Save the Retreat House!

Waycross’ Hickory Hill Retreat House has a long history…

Waycross’ Hickory Hill Retreat House, or more commonly “The Retreat House”, has a long history at Waycross as well as in the community. Originally part of a canning operation in the area, the Retreat House has been used in our summer camp programming, as well as a small group retreat space for vestries, youth groups, alumni events, and more for decades.

At the beginning of 2024, the Waycross board made the difficult decision to close the Retreat House due to severe disrepair and damage. This decision was not made lightly and many in the Waycross family have felt the impact of this keenly.

Major repairs are needed to care for and preserve the Retreat House for generations to come. We will address this work in two phases. Please read below for details about each phase.

It is our hope, with your help, that we will be able to complete phase one and reopen the Retreat House in 2025!

 
 

Phase One

After having a comprehensive inspection done and getting several quotes for the necessary work, we need to address several important issues before we can reopen the Retreat House. This work include: replacing the roof and making adjacent repairs to decking, soffits, gutters, etc., replacing exterior wood siding, remediating mold, and updating the heating system. We need to, at a minimum, replace the roof BEFORE the end of 2024. The estimated total to complete all of this work is $250,000.

Phase Two

The second phase will cover more cosmetic and functionality issues of the Retreat House and will include plumbing and electrical work, remodeling the kitchen, new beds in the bedrooms, and more. Upon completion of phase one, the board and staff at Waycross will work with inspectors, contractors, and architects to make plans for this work and establish estimated costs.

“The Retreat house is important to me because it serves as a physical reminder to the history it holds. From an old backwoods house to a beacon of camp, it encapsulates the greatest 400 acres in the world. .”
— Ian McMath
“My first exposure to Waycross was the spring of about 1956. I was 13 years old. I’m 80 now. My confirmation class went to the Retreat house to paint the basement. ”
— Shirley Beuoy
“With the kitchen and multiple sleeping options, it is truly a place where people can be in community with each other, while offering time for reflection in 1s or 2s.”
— Kyle Dahncke

Updates

  • We’re in the home stretch of the roof repair! One specialized piece had to be ordered. Once that is in and installed, the new roof will be complete!

  • We have raised over $55,000! Work on the roof continues as more extensive repairs to the decking was needed than anticipated. We will continue to post photos and let you all know when work is complete!

  • The roofers have arrived and started demolition! Keep an eye out for more progress pictures!

  • The roof replacement was postponed due to rain. We are working with the roofing company to determine a new date, but with rain forecasted most days this week, it may be later than we'd hoped.

  • We're excited to share that we've raised $52,435 for the Retreat House so far! The roof replacement is officially set for September 23, 2024, which is fantastic news. Plus, we’re gearing up for a fun fundraising event at our Fall Festival on September 28th! All the proceeds from the Dunk Tank activity will go directly to the Save the Retreat House Fund. Stay tuned for more updates about this and the Fall Festival right here!

  • We have raised over $50,000! Roofers have been contracted and the roof materials are being manufactured. The roof will then be replaced as early as late August, and by the end of September at the latest!

  • THANK YOU to everyone who has supported our efforts to get crucial work done on the Retreat House through your generous donations!

    To date we have raised just under $23,000! We are excited to be able to schedule the roof replacement for late this summer/early this fall.

    See our newsletter for a detailed update.

  • We have officially started the fundraising campaign for Phase One! Letters will be arriving to all members of our database and we will start to promote the fundraiser on digital platforms as well. We have already raised $15,000!