I attended a Linus Blanket making day this past February. For me it was as good as going on a retreat away from home. I was able to talk with others in from our area and sew a special quilt to be donated to the Linus Project. I learned from others and have good memories of the day spent at the hospital conference room making quilts with others. They did not provide lunch (tight finances this year) but they did have chocolates and snacks.
This is one type of retreat. Away from the family for a day.
Katrina