Rhode Island – United Church of Christ
Providence Experience (Northwestern Rhode Island)
Contact: Kate Ostertag, Retreat Center Director of Irons Homestead
688 Snake Hill Road
Glocester, RI 02857
Email: ironshomestead@ricucc.org
Phone: 401.710-9478
Web Site: http://www.ricucc.org/theprovidenceexperience
Providence Experience The Providence Experience is an opportunity to balance service and devotional time. Spend your days and/or evenings serving God through a variety of service organizations then return to the quiet rest of Irons Homestead to relax in the beauty of nature. This program is available year-round and can be 2-nights to a full week.
Projects/Focus: We work with local human service agencies so your experience can be tailor made. In an effort to keep this experience affordable we provide you with a list of social service agencies and let you set up the work week schedule that best fit your mission focus. Or for an additional fee, we can set up your work week for you. On-site projects are available at Irons Homestead, also. Rhode Island is a small state; most work-sites are within a ½ hour of each other and/or Irons Homestead.
Educational/Advocacy Components: Many of our service partners provide orientation and education about their specific ministry. Other educational opportunities such as the Homeless Speakers Bureau are available upon request or you can do your own programming.
Time: Year Round availability. From 2-nights to a full week. Preferred time is Sunday evening to Friday morning but we can accommodate most schedules.
Group Size: 10-40
Minimum Age: Junior high. Family groups welcomed. (Some sites require a Minimum age of 16)
Adult to Youth Ratio: We strongly suggest a ratio of 1:8 for High School and 1:6 for Middle School. A Minimum of 2 adults over age 21 is required.
Accommodations: Overnight accommodations are in the modern four-season Lodge at Irons Homestead which includes: fully equipped kitchen, screened in porch, meeting room with fireplace, private showers, campfire ring, wooded trails, waterfront, and recreation fields. Ten bedrooms, each with a sink and 1 or 2 bunk beds (8 double beds and 24 twins) can accommodate up to 40 people. You supply your own food and bedding. There are many fun things to do in RI such as concerts, plays, Waterfire, the telescope at Brown University, go to the A&W on Cruise night to look at the classic cars, go to the beach, visit historic Newport, attend a PawSox game, etc. We can supply you with more information. Boston is not far away and makes a good day trip.
Cost: $125 facility fee plus $18 per person per night for the use of Irons Homestead facilities. Plus any programming fees.
