Everything you need to know about attending the LOLA D.C. Retreat:

Info for Retreat Attendees

📆 OCTOBER 13-15TH

📍 Leadership Institute 111 N Highland St, Arlington, VA 22201

💌 * BY INVITATION-ONLY EVENT

About the retreat:

This is a weekend-long retreat dedicated to training LOLAs top Chapter Leaders from cities across the globe. Join us for 3 days of training, networking, and a Saturday night mixer. You will learn from top leaders in the liberty movement on a variety of topics from political activism, digital training, chapter engagement, and more! (The LOLA Leadership retreat is a limited space event with priority given to LOLAs most active Chapter Leaders.)

Where to arrive Thursday night (Oct. 12th)

Please plan to arrive at the Leadership Institute at 5 pm on Thursday night at the Leadership Institute.
Check-in: Oct 12th 5:00 PM
Check-out: Oct 17th 11:00 AM

Retreat Venue:

Leadership Institute

The LOLA DC Retreat 2023 will take place in Leadership Institute located in Arlington, Virginia that was founded in 1979 by its president, Morton C. Blackwell. The institute is headquartered in the Steven P.J. Wood Building in Arlington, Virginia. The facility includes a training centre, professional multimedia studios, dormitories, and office space. The institute is just a few minutes from Washington, D.C.

📍Steven P.J. Wood Building, 1101 N Highland St., Arlington, VA- 22201
4th floor
(Check in at lobby 5-6pm)

Overnight Options:

Option 1) We are happy to announce that the Leadership Institute (LI) will cover your accommodation for free! From: October 12-17th

Dorms are located at:

Leadership Institute
Steven P.J. Wood Building,
1101 N Highland St.
Arlington, VA- 22201

4th floor

*This is a dorm-style format. LI offers a shared-space, open room with bunk beds for all attendees at the same location as the retreat. We recommend bringing your own pillow, blanket, earplugs and shower sandals.

*To be added to the dorm list please let Caitlin know so we can secure your bed and give you the access code.

*Early arrival: You may arrive one day earlier (October 12th) at the LI dorms. Please let Caitlin know so you have code access.

Option 2) There are plenty of affordable locations to stay in the DC/Arlington area if you choose not to stay in the dorms. We recommend looking at Airbnb. Please note this option will be at your own expense.

Directions and parking

Are you driving to the retreat and looking for a place to park? Park at the Trader Joe’s parking lot right next door. Rates go from $12 per night. If you are using the metro, the Leadership Institute is conveniently located down the street from the Clarendon metro station. Please click here for full directions to the Leadership Institute.

Travel Stipends:

The retreat participants are eligible to be reimbursed for upto $500 on their flights if they have indicated so in the interest form, are volunteering for the event and have participated in the retreat.
All requests for the reimbursement will be reviewed by staff and are subject to the availability of resources and based on the greatest need with priority given to international travel. Please note that if you are selected to receive a travel stipend it will be in the form of reimbursement after your full participation at the LOLA Retreat. Feel free to reach out to Caitlin with any questions.

Attire:

We recommend business-cute attire. *Please keep in mind your professional headshot will be taken Sunday morning (Oct. 15th). Dress accordingly.

Food:

We are pleased to cover all your meals for the length of the retreat. This includes Friday (night), Saturday (all day), and Sunday (morning). *We took a survey of food allergies but if you haven’t submitted yours please let Caitlin know.

Saturday Night Mixer (Saturday, Oct. 14th)

On Saturday, October 14th, we host our annual co-ed mixer. This social mixer is for all leadership attendees, retreat sponsors, and local leaders. Invite your favorite liberty friends. (More info soon!)

*Please note, this is a required event for all retreat attendees.

DC Tour (Optional)

The DC Tour on Monday, Oct 16th, is completely voluntary and does not affect attendance for obtaining the reimbursement of up to $500 for your flight ticket. Participation in all activities during the tour is not mandatory; you can catch up with the group at one of the stops we will be making.
The only meal covered on Monday is lunch, which will be provided by the CATO Institute. Because of our late lunch that the ladies should buy their own snacks at Whole Foods or beforehand if they feel that they would get hungry between breakfast and lunch. Our dorms are also near a Trader Joe’s Market that also has yummy and reasonably priced snacks. In case anyone needs anything we would be happy to show our international ladies around if needed.
After the tour with the CATO Institute, everyone is free to do as they wish, such as returning to the National Mall to explore more museums, all of which close at 5:30 PM.

Weather in D.C.

Please keep in mind that the weather in Washington, D.C. in October ranges from 69° to 49° F (or 21° to 9° C). We recommend bringing a fall coat and sweater. Please dress warmly.

Retreat attendees WhatsApp group

We will have a Retreat WhatsApp group for all attendees. Here we will share the latest updates, helpful info, ask questions, share pictures, and more.

Download WhatsApp on your phone here.