My favorite retreat we worked on our own project and had show and tell every evening after dinner to show what we'd accomplished for the day. The organizer had a quilt on a frame to teach hand quilting. It was just a panel thankfully because some of us were not very good!!! LOL
Meals were a mix of everyone taking a turn with breakfast and lunch, then two dinners out at a moderately priced restaurant. We knew in advance our meal assignment. My group did hot cereal in crockpots, fruit and muffins. Lunch was usually soup and salad or build your own sandwich. We all brought snacks and sweets to share.
The town had a local quilt shop that offered 25% discounts for all purchases by the group. It was held at the organizers church camp so there was a dorm with bunk beds and a common bath area and small cabins with a bathroom. We brought sleeping bags and towels etc. The price was very reasonable, but I can't remember what it was and of course we had to bring some food items.
The group was not a bunch of girlfriends, so Elaine did a very nice job of emails and so on to keep everyone in the loop. We all had a great time sewing and getting acquainted.