08/30/2026
Dear Red Boot Retreat Friends,
Over the years, we've listened to your suggestions and have been thinking about ways to offer more flexibility for retreat groups. Beginning in 2027, we'll be transitioning to a new retreat model that allows each group more freedom to customize their experience while continuing to enjoy everything you love about Red Boot.
As part of this transition, we will no longer be providing direct meal service. Meals will be available through a couple of local caterers and/or a variety of local restaurants. We are updating our pricing to reflect lodging and retreat space only, with no meals included. This change allows each group to decide whether to provide their own meals or arrange catered meals that fit their schedule, preferences, and budget. Because we will no longer have a commercial kitchen, you will be welcome to cook your own meals if you choose. Because different hostesses may choose different meal options, the cost of retreats will vary.
To make meal planning easy, we'll provide a list of local caterers and restaurants, including contact information and details about the meals they offer. Two local caterers provide delicious meals similar to those we've served over the years, at competitive prices.
Some groups may choose to cater lunches and dinners while bringing simple breakfast items, and others may prefer to prepare all of their own meals. We believe this flexibility will help keep overall retreat costs affordable while making it easier to accommodate dietary needs and personal preferences.
Most of you know that I am currently facing health challenges. In fact, today marks one year since my cancer diagnosis. Whew! It’s been a year 😊 This new direction will allow me to continue operating Red Boot while receiving the treatments I need. I miss seeing each of you so much and hope to be back to visiting with everyone very soon.
These changes are necessary, and I'm genuinely excited about what they mean for the future. They provide many of the options guests have requested over the years, and they will also allow me the opportunity to spend more time with you—visiting during retreats, hosting classes, and maybe even sitting down to sew alongside you once in a while. We will continue hosting our Quilt of Valor Workdays, Sew Days, and Open Retreats, as they become available.
There will be options to have meals or provide your own, so if you are signing up for an Open Retreat or a Class, please register for the option you choose. A menu will be sent out a couple of weeks in advance for your planning purposes.
With food costs continuing to rise and everyone working hard to manage their budgets, we hope this new approach makes retreating affordable and flexible. After all, while quilting brings us together, it's the friendships we build that make Red Boot Retreat such a special place.
Thank you for making Red Boot an important part of your retreat experience. Over the years, you've become so much more than our guests—you've become family. We are deeply grateful for your friendship, your encouragement, your prayers, and the incredible support you've shown us, especially during this past year.
At this time, we don’t have all the answers to questions you may have, but you are welcome to email questions to [email protected]. We will do our best to get answers for you as soon as we are able to do so. The staff will continue helping me answer emails and conduct day to day business when I am not able to be there. My blood counts have necessitated me staying home for the next several weeks, but this will be better before you know it!
We will begin posting Open Retreats and Classes in the next few days. There will also be Facebook Events posted for these.
We appreciate your patience and look forward to welcoming you back for many more wonderful retreats as we begin this new chapter together.
With love and gratitude,
Carri, Dennis, and the Red Boot Staff
