High Elements course - our newest program area

: The Leap of Faith involves a climber ascending a secured, standing pole while being belayed by trained staff. Climbing to the top and balancing on top of the pole is the primary challenge. The climber may then take a leap of faith to secure a target out away from the pole before coming down.

: For Jacob's Ladder, two climbers work together to climb the structure - emphasizing teamwork, trust, cooperation and communication.

: On the Flying V, parallel cables are configured in a 'V'. The participants walk on the lower cables while using the upper cable for stability. In some cases, they may actually rely on each other for support and balance.

Swofford Landing at the Lake Hale Amphitheater

: Swofford Construction Company, of Douglasville, Georgia, has created our newest facility - Swofford Landing at the Lake Hale Amphitheater. The Landing runs the full 42-foot width of the Amphitheater, and extends 26 feet out over the edge of Lake Hale. It provides a beautiful, serene setting for private reflection or group activities. A fire pit will soon be constructed in the middle of the deck to provide for evening fireside worship and group activities.

: At left, Owner Ken Swofford accepts a plaque from David Stubblefield, Glisson Maintenance Director, in gratitude for this very generous gift of time, effort and love for Glisson. At right, the Swofford Construction crew poses for a photo during construction in mid October.

: Village cabins offer single-gender, dormitory-style lodging. Each heated cabin sleeps 14 people. In keeping with the gold mining tradition of the Dahlonega area, our cabins include steeply-pitched tin roofs and rough-hewn siding. The porches are reminiscent of the shelters miners would build directly over their mine shafts to protect them from weather while working in the mine.

: The interior includes wooden plank floors and ceilings. Wall-mounted light fixtures mimic the hand-held lanterns which gold miners would use to illuminate their dark mine shafts. Each cabin offers comfortable, modern bath amenities.

: Ivie Lodge is our newest retreat lodge, offering dormitory-style, air-conditioned accommodations for up to 44 people. A separate, private leader room is also available. The Lodge includes a large gathering room with a large stone fireplace, two smaller gathering rooms, a catering kitchen and a large rocking chair porch overlooking Cane Creek.

: Sparrowwood Lodge was constructed in 1984, and underwent structural renovations in 2007. During the summer, it is home to our Sparrowwood campers -- children, youth and adults with mild to moderate developmental disabilities. For retreat groups, Sparrowwood Lodge offers heated, dormitory-style accommodations for up to 42 people, meeting space, a catering kitchen and a large rocking chair porch overlooking beautiful Cane Creek.

: Constructed in 2003, the Bob Cagle Program Center is our most modern meeting facility for retreat groups. Modeled after a stamp mill, in keeping with our architecture reflecting the gold mining tradition of the Dahlonega area, the Cagle Center offers one large, partitionable, exhibit/meeting room with multimedia capabilities. In addition, there are two smaller meeting rooms, a catering kitchen, elevator access to all three floors and a patio overlooking beautiful Cane Creek Falls.

: Built in 1950, the Chapel has long been the spiritual center of Camp Glisson. Every year, summer campers and retreat participants feel the very real presence of God during worship moments in the Chapel. Originally built as an open-air structure, the Chapel is now heated for year-round use by retreat groups in the fall, winter and spring.

: Intricate tile work in the Chapel floor greets visitors as they enter for worship.

: Named for one of our original founders, the Rev. E.D. Hale, Lake Hale offers a place for quiet reflection, hiking, kayaking and canoeing.

: At 55 feet tall, the Alpine Tower is great for retreat group team- and confidence-building activities. The Alpine Tower is facilitated by trained Glisson staff, who will train your group on all safety equipment, safety features and methods of communication between climber and belayer. Glisson's "climb-by-choice" philosophy means you climb only as high as you are comfortable.

: The Holland Building is our multi-purpose gymnasium. This heated space works well as a gathering space for large groups, particularly for groups planning active, indoor group activities. A stage at one end of the gymnasium helps to facilitate presentations, performances and musical groups.

More photos and descriptions of our retreat facilities are coming soon. Stay tuned!

If you have any questions about planning your retreat at Glisson, please contact our office directly.