Built for Groups. Tuned for Students.
Gretna Glen has hosted school groups for decades. Day field trips for fifth graders, overnight environmental education retreats, team-building days for sports programs, leadership retreats for student councils, and end-of-year celebrations for graduating classes. The grounds, the activities, and the staff are all set up to handle student groups with the structure teachers need and the energy students bring.
Everything is customizable. Bring 30 students for an afternoon, or 300 for three days. Pick the activities that match your curriculum, the meal plan that fits your budget, and the lodging that works for your ratios. We will build the schedule with you.
ACA-accredited. Over 300 national health, safety, and programming standards met. Trained staff, full insurance, and a safety record that school administrators can bring to their board with confidence.
Four Kinds of Visit. One Set of Resources.
Most school bookings fall into one of these patterns. Every program is built around your students' ages, your schedule, and the outcomes you are after.
Field Trips
A classic day out of the classroom. Hiking, team-building stations, archery, lake activities, and lunch at an outdoor pavilion. Ideal for grades 3 through 12.
- Bus drop-off and welcome orientation
- Rotating activity stations
- Pavilion lunch (packed or catered)
- Rain backup covered by indoor spaces
Overnight Class Trips
Multi-day stays in our lodges and cabins. A full educational experience with meals, programming, and structured downtime built in.
- Lodging for 14 to 300+ students
- Three meals a day in our dining hall
- Evening programs and campfires
- Quiet hours and chaperone zones built into cabins
Outdoor Education
Hands-on nature programming through the ZEEC Nature Lodge and our trail system. Tie it to ecology, biology, environmental science, or earth science curriculum.
- Nature lodge with hands-on exhibits
- Stream and pond study on the property
- Trail ecology hikes with trained staff
- Age-appropriate science programming
Team & Leadership Groups
Sports teams, student councils, clubs, bands, and leadership programs. Dedicated spaces for team-building, goal-setting, and uninterrupted group time.
- High and low challenge courses
- Private meeting rooms for group sessions
- Outdoor chapels for reflection and vision casting
- Flexible scheduling for workshops and practice
Activities That Pull Double Duty.
Every activity maps to something in the curriculum. Teachers pick the mix that works for their group; we provide the staff, equipment, and safety plan.
Archery
Supervised range with beginner instruction. Builds focus, patience, and coordination.
PE / Focus Skills
Climbing Tower
Staffed high element with full safety gear. A confidence-builder and goal-setting exercise.
PE / Leadership
Team Building / Low Ropes
Our PCC low-ropes course builds communication, problem-solving, and trust.
SEL / Teamwork
Nature & Ecology Hikes
Guided trail hikes focused on local flora, fauna, and ecosystems. Great for science classes.
Life Science
ZEEC Nature Lodge
Hands-on environmental education space with exhibits and specimens. Indoor backup for weather.
Environmental Sci
Waterfront & Boating
Supervised lake activities including canoeing, kayaking, and fishing. Life vests provided.
PE / Earth Science
Gaga & Field Games
Low-lift, high-energy games that work for any group size. Great for break periods.
PE / Recreation
Outdoor Chapels
Three distinct outdoor chapel spaces for group reflection, devotions, or closing gatherings.
Reflection / SEL
Campfire Programs
Evening campfires with songs, stories, and guided reflection. A highlight for overnight groups.
Group Cohesion
Facilities Built for Student Groups
Every space on the property is sized for real groups. Here are the ones school visits use most.
Funk Program Center
300 ASSEMBLY | 120 WITH TABLES
Main indoor space with projector, screen, and sound. Three breakout rooms (30 capacity each) for smaller sessions or split groups. AV included.
Outdoor Pavilions
3 COVERED SPACES
Pool, Welcome, and Village pavilions. Covered lunch spaces with picnic tables, buffet tables, electric, and lights. Great for packed lunches or catered meals.
Outdoor Chapels
40 TO 125 CAPACITY
Three distinct outdoor gathering spaces. Lakeside, woods, and mountainside. Each with benches, a campfire ring, and water. Perfect for orientations and closings.
Raab Retreat Lodge
48 OVERNIGHT | GRAND HALL 50
Dorm-style lodging with interior bathrooms, a stone fireplace great room, and a kitchenette. Air-conditioned, heated, ADA accessible. Ideal for overnight class trips.
Mainsite Cabins
14 PER CABIN | 7 CABINS
Seven heated cabins in the woods, each sleeping 14. Open bunk style, changing room, shared new (2018) showerhouse nearby. Classic camp overnight experience.
Dining Hall
FULL MEAL SERVICE
Three meals a day prepared on-site. Allergy accommodations handled with 7 days notice. 24/7 coffee service when food service is booked. Dietary request form available.
Safety Administrators Can Sign Off On.
Student safety is a school board question, not a marketing talking point. Here is what we can show your administration before a trip gets approved.
ACA Accredited
300+ national health & safety standards
Insured
COI available on request for your records
Trained Staff
CPR, first aid, and activity-specific certifications
Release Forms
Participant agreements provided for staffed activities
What Teachers Actually Need to Know.
Bus parking, chaperone ratios, meal logistics, and what to do if the weather turns. The answers that save you a phone call during planning.
Every trip gets a dedicated Gretna Glen coordinator who handles your schedule, meal counts, activity assignments, and any last-minute changes. Your main job is bringing the students. We handle the rest.
Bus Parking
Two charter buses fit comfortably in our main lot with drop-off at the Welcome Pavilion.
Chaperone Ratios
We recommend 1:10 for day trips and 1:8 for overnights. Chaperone lodging is available adjacent to student cabins.
Meals & Dietary Needs
Full dining hall service or pavilion packed lunches. Allergy and dietary accommodations need 7 days notice.
Rain Plans
Every outdoor activity has an indoor backup. Funk Program Center and ZEEC Nature Lodge handle weather days.
Wi-Fi
Password-protected Wi-Fi available for staff and presenters.
Questions Administrators Ask
How far in advance should we book?
Spring and fall dates (peak field trip season) book 6 to 12 months out. Summer and winter are more flexible. Call as soon as you have a target date, even if it is tentative, so we can hold space.
Can we bring our own chaperones and activity leaders?
What about students with food allergies?
Do you accommodate students with disabilities?
What if the weather is bad?
Can we customize the schedule around our curriculum?
Are we required to have a faith component?
Every Quote Is Custom
Day-trip pricing runs different than overnight. Group size, activities, meals, and staffing all factor in. Call us with your group size, dates, and what you have in mind, and we will send a custom quote within a few business days.
Let's Build Your Trip
Send us your group size, target dates, and a quick note on what you are looking for. We will follow up with a custom quote and a call with our office manager to finalize the plan.