Welcome!

We are delighted that you have chosen to spend your valuable time with us. Retreats hold a special place in our hearts, and Riverside has a rich history and tradition of hosting events that allow individuals to connect with their faith and discover more about themselves. Our mission is to provide a secure and nurturing environment where community is fostered and celebrated. We sincerely hope that your time here exceeds your expectations and fulfills your group’s desires. In this Retreat Welcome Packet, you will find all the necessary details to ensure a smooth and enjoyable stay. Please take a moment to read it thoroughly, and if you have any inquiries or require assistance, feel free to reach out to our helpful staff. You can contact our office at (863) 358-3858 between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., or outside of these hours, you may call the Retreat Host directly at (941) 769-0126. We encourage you to fully embrace this experience, relax, and let positivity flow into every aspect of your journey.

MISSION

To create a place and environment:

• where the hurried stranger is a welcomed guest who slows their pace and breathes

• where a person of anticipation is encouraged to find peace and trust their vision is our mission

• where community and family are encouraged and celebrated

• where brotherhood and sisterhood can be formed, where faith and community are encouraged

We will be known as the true “Heart of the River.” A sacred space that honors its past and celebrates its present and future.

Thank you for choosing Riverside for your event. In order to make your and everyone else’s experience more enjoyable, we ask you to adhere to the following Guidelines/Regulations during your stay on property.

  • Group Coordinator/Team Members must check in at the Office upon arrival at the property to pick up their Welcome Packet and get orientated to the property. Check in time is 4:00 p.m. and check out time is Noon (unless prior arrangements have been made).

  • Vehicles must not be driven on the grass! Park only in the designated parking areas. Do not drive up to the building for any reason. Do not drive beyond the signs and parking barriers. Groups/Guests will be charged $500 for any damage to the grounds that are caused by violating the guideline. Golf carts are to remain on the roads and can be driven on the sidewalks but never across the grounds. The property speed limit is 10 MPH.

  • Fireworks, firearms and hunting are NOT allowed at Riverside at any time. Fishing from the fishing pier is permitted only by permission. Request permission at the office (863) 358-3858.

  • All buildings and common areas (porches, dock, play areas) are designated “Non-Smoking” areas. Smoking is allowed ONLY in a designated smoking area that is away from all buildings and populated areas. Smokers will field strip and police their items. Please ask the Riverside Host for the location of a designated smoking area. Vaping follows the same regulations!

  • Quiet time for “The Retreat” property is 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.

  • Anyone under 18 years of age must be supervised (within eyesight) by an adult with your group at all times. Riverside Staff are not supervisors of your group!

  • You are required to provide your own medical supplies, and you are responsible for the administration of them to your group only. IF YOU HAVE AN EMERGENCY, DIAL 911. Contact the Riverside Host and the Office at (863) 358-3858 as well so that we may aid EMS in coming to your location. The physical address is 7305 County Road 78, LaBelle, FL 33935.

    • Guests are to treat the facilities and grounds as good stewards and with care. All groups will be billed for damages to any buildings/equipment of the property due to mistreatment, negligence, reckless behavior, poor judgment, or careless actions. A cleaning fee will also be assessed if buildings are left in a less than acceptable condition upon your departure. A list of basic clean-up instructions is posted in each building. Please do not open the windows in any of the lodges.

  • Swimming is permitted only in the pool. Swimming is NOT permitted in the river.

  • For Emergency Management purposes, we must have an exact count for all your participants. Overnight and day guests must be counted. Day fees are charged as well as overnight fees. Failure to accurately report the number of your guests will result in your group being asked to depart the property immediately with no refund of fees.

  • In the event of UNSAFE WEATHER CONDITIONS or OTHER SAFETY CONCERNS, Riverside reserves the right to cancel activities at any time. The General Manager has the authority to request a group leave if he feels the group is in violation of these regulations. There will be no refund if this action takes place.

  • You must contact the Riverside Host a minimum of 30 minutes before your departure at (941) 769- 0126, and he/she will check you out before leaving the property. Return any keys that you have been given at this time.

  • We want to be able to serve fresh, hot food, so it is imperative that you be on time for meals.

  • Proper attire is required in the Dining Hall… as with any restaurant - no shirt, no shoes, no service. No bare feet, wet clothing, wet bathing suits, or wet shoes will be allowed!

GUIDELINES/REGULATIONS

POOL RULES

  1. NEVER SWIM ALONE. A minimum of 2 adults, 18 years of age or older, must be present whenever this swimming pool is in use, with at least 1 of those adults on the pool deck.

  2. THERE IS NO LIFEGUARD AT THIS POOL. Safety equipment is provided on the pool deck for your use in an emergency.

  3. THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR ADEQUATE SUPERVISION. Children under 18 must be accompanied at the pool by a parent or guardian (an adult responsible for the children’s safety and behavior). THERE IS NO LIFEGUARD AT THIS POOL.

  4. IN AN EMERGENCY, NOTIFY THE FACILITY OPERATOR (863) 358-3858 AND CONTACT HELP IMMEDIATELY. Call 911. The facility address is 7305 Country Road 78, LaBelle, FL 33935.

  5. Only use this facility during posted hours and days of operation. NO SWIMMING AT NIGHT.

  6. Shallow water – NO DIVING.

  7. Do not drink alcohol and swim. Alcoholic beverages are not allowed inside the fenced swimming pool area.

  8. No glass containers inside the fenced pool area. No food inside the fenced pool area.

  9. No animals inside the fenced pool area.

  10. Urinating, discharge of fecal matter, expectorating or blowing the nose in the swimming pool is prohibited and will result in expulsion and pool closure until such time the water has had time to be disinfected. If you notice any problems with the water quality, please notify us at once at (863) 358-3858.

  11. The maximum number of bathers permitted is 45. Once bather capacity has been reached, no more patrons shall be allowed access to the pool until an equal number of patrons exit.

  12. Pool use is for registered overnight patrons and their registered guests only.

Failure to comply with pool rules will result in immediate expulsion from the pool area for a period of 72 hours.

IMPORTANT CONTACTS

In the event of an EMERGENCY, call 911. The address is 7305 County Road 78, LaBelle, FL 33935.

Then dial the Office at (863) 358-3858 during business hours 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. After hours, call the Riverside Host at: (941) 769-0126.

PLEASE READ AND SHARE THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS WITH YOUR ENTIRE GROUP!

CHECKING IN

• Check-In time is 4PM unless otherwise specified in your Contract

• Check-In at the Office and pick up your Welcome Packet

CHECKING OUT

• Check Out time is no later than 12:00 (Noon) on your group’s last day

• Gather and DISPOSE of any trash in the area around your building(s)

• Make sure all garbage has been collected from all meeting spaces, bathrooms, sleeping areas, and kitchens. See that all garbage is properly disposed of in the trash and recycling

dumpsters located outside, next to the Dining Hall (big red building across the road opposite the pool)

• Do a final walk-through checking for any items left behind. We are not responsible for the storing or returning of left items

• Return all chairs, tables, kitchen equipment, etc., to their proper places

• Once you have completed your tasks, please contact the Riverside Host (see number above) for a final walk-through before you depart

SOME IMPORTANT REMINDERS

• In the event of a Medical Emergency and EMS is called: Contact the Riverside Host immediately after calling 911. We will direct the EMS to your exact location. The Riverside

physical address is: 7305 County Road 78, Fort Denaud, FL 33935

• NO DRIVING ON THE GRASS. Including Golf Carts! Stay on the roads, and golf carts can use the sidewalks. DO NOT DRIVE your vehicles UP TO THE BUILDINGS FOR LOADING

OR UNLOADING

• NO PARKING ON THE GRASS (other than designated Parking Areas)

• THE ENTIRE RIVERSIDE PROPERTY SPEED LIMIT IS 10MPH. NO TOLERANCE FOR SPEEDING THROUGH ANY PART OF THE PROPERTY

• Transporting passengers inside Riverside is the same as outside Riverside; everyone must be safely secured inside the vehicle. No one is allowed in the back of a pickup truck bed or standing on the outside of the vehicle

• QUIET HOURS are from 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.

• There is NO FOOD or DRINKS in any of the sleeping areas.

TRASH and RECYCLING DUMPSTERS

Both are located next to the Red Dining Hall across the road from the Swimming Pool. The recycling is a mixed-use dumpster taking all recycling material.

• DO NOT PUT PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS, STYROFOAM, BUBBLE WRAP, AEROSOL CANS, PLASTIC HANGERS, PIZZA BOXES OR GARBAGE (food, clothes, wood, etc.), IN THE

RECYCLING DUMPSTER

GUEST SUPPLY CLOSET

We have a Guest Supply Closet to assist your group’s comfort during your stay.
In this closet, you will find garbage bags, a broom, a mop and bucket, paper products, toilet paper, sports balls, and equipment cleaning supplies. Please use as needed and return items when you are finished.

CHAIR and TABLE CLOSETS

Chairs and tables are available for your use. These are located on the back porch of Lodge 1 and Lodge 2 and in the end meeting rooms located in each wing of the Dorm. Please return them stacked and stowed properly before your departure.

THE FOLLOWING ARE NOT ALLOWED AT RIVERSIDE RETREAT: Pets/Livestock, Firearms, Air Soft Guns, Paintball Guns, Fireworks, Silly String, WEAPONS OF ANY NATURE, ATV’s or other off-road vehicles. All facilities are SMOKE FREE!!

Fires are allowed (in the event Hendry County has not put into effect a “fire ban” during fire season) in provided fire pits only! Please coordinate this with the Riverside Office (863-358-3858) if you desire a fire.

We are happy you have chosen Riverside ~ The Heart of The River as your event site. It is our desire to provide a safe and memorable experience.

SECURITY GATE GUIDELINES

The Safety and security of our guests is a high priority here at Riverside. We ask that you understand the operations of the security gate and follow the guidelines for its safe and secure operation.

Each Lot will be assigned a specific code. This is your code only and is not to be shared. This code is to stay confidential to just your lot only. Please do not give it out to anyone who does not live with you at your site. Guests and Visitors will be addressed below.

You will receive an email that will take you through the process for downloading the Gate MyQ Community App for your Smart Phone. While not required for operation of the gate, the App can make gate access easier; and, it does open up features such as the Video Screen which allows you a visual display of who may be requesting entry to your site.

Upon Arrival:

• Pull up to the keypad on the left, enter your code, and press the green bar at the bottom of the screen that says ENTER;

• The gate will open; proceed through the gate.

• The gate will close behind you after 60 seconds.

• During Business Hours (8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.), all guests/visitors are required to register at the Office, and entry will be given by staff.

• After Hours: A visitor may call your name from the directory, which will be on the main screen at the keypad/call box. You may grant entry once you identify the person

by touching a button on the App.

• There will be times that Management may determine to have the gate left open during the daytime hours of 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

• Special Events and Retreats may allow for the gate to be left open during evening hours up to 9PM.

• When leaving, pull slowly toward the gate, and the sensor will open automatically once it reads your vehicle’s presence.