I really loved hearing all the comments! I cook for Crafty Chicks Retreat (fb) out of Spokane and I hear just about all you said. Our groups are small (14) and no teachers as the retreaters do their own thing (quilt, crochet, scrapbook, sleep, read a book...) and after the shell shock wears off, everyone learns to laugh, love, help, eat, sleep, and enjoy. Only one retreat out of many did we have a group of "prickly porcupines" did the rest dislike as the 6 stayed by themselves and were critical of everyone else. They will not be invited back! It started as one retreat in the fall, 2 in the spring, and this fall we have 3 and next spring we are planning 4-all from word of mouth and a small bit of advertising. Just remember to eat, sleep, craft, repeat!