frequently asked questions

The 2026 Great Plains Five Day Academy for Spiritual Formation will be held

April 12 through 17, 2026

at the St. Benedict Center near Schuyler, Nebraska and remotely via Zoom.

Registrations must be made and paid in full by March 20, 2026.

The 5 Day Academy is for ordained and lay persons of any denomination. Presentations by the faculty do not require a specific knowledge base, only a willingness to learn.

Participants can be either in-person or virtual (Zoom).

Virtual attendance requires that you have a computer and internet connection.

Both Zoom and in-person attendees are encouraged to participate in all aspects of the daily schedule for the whole of the Academy.

Cost is based on three factors: virtual attendance, single or shared room, and dietary needs the St. Benedict Center kitchen cannot meet.

Zoom attendance: $325

Single room: $750

Double room: $690

If for dietary reasons you cannot eat the meals provided by the Center: the room cost is reduced by $175

Whether you want to attend via Zoom or in person, you can make a deposit to confirm your reservation .

The deposit is $100.

If you initially register with a deposit, the remainder must be paid by March 20, 2026 or your reserved slot will be given to a person on the wait list and you will forfeit the $100.

When you register, payment may be made by using a credit card, by ACH (electronic bank transfer), or by check.

If you register by making a depost rather than the full amount, payment of the remainder can only be made by check.

If you pay by ACH you will need to provide your bank’s routing number and your checking or savings account number.

No card or account information is stored by the system.

The St. Benedict Center kitchen provides a buffet style food service. It is not equipped to prepare food guaranteed to be untainted by allergens such as nuts, dairy, or gluten.

Vegetarians who are ovo-lacto can chose items from the buffet to make complete meals during the week.

Vegans will not find enough complimentary protein to provide good nutrition.

If it seems the kitchen cannot meet your needs, you will want to bring your own food to prepare. There are refrigerators for storage and microwaves and a toaster for food preparation. You would use the place settings provided by the Center.

Furthermore, you would have access to the beverages (coffee, tea, water, juice, milk) as other participants.

If you bring your own food, the price is reduced. Look for that option when you register.

Please tell the Team about any needs you may have when you complete the registration form.

The Center does have some fairly long distances - about half a block - to walk from the far end of the sleeping rooms to the meal hall. Everything is on one level except for half of the sleeping rooms which are on a second floor. An elevator is available.

The Center has ADA certified rooms.

We can, therefore, accommodate by strategic room selection. Please note your needs on the registration form.

If you already know someone who is also attending and they are agreeable to rooming with you, please indicate that when you register. Otherwise, you will be assigned a roommate from the pool of unassigned double room attendees.

Active clergy in the Great Plains Conference of the United Methodist Church may be able to get assistance through the Office of Clergy Excellence including the Spiritual Self Care program which is described on this web site.

Clergy from other judicatories and denominations should check with their comparable office.

Some scholarship funds are available through the Great Plains 5 Day Academy itself for clergy or laity in need of financial assistance to attend. If you would like to apply, please contact the registrar.

Please note, some financial assistance reimburses the attendee. In that case, you would pay the Academy for the full registration cost and then be reimbursed.

We encourage you to register by making a deposit while you get your assistance sorted. Your deposit will be refunded if you cannot attend because financial assistance was not awarded.

Some scholarship funds are available through the Great Plains 5 Day Academy itself for laity in need of financial assistance to attend. If you would like to apply, please contact the registrar.

You will be notified within 3 weeks of submitting your application if your request was awarded.

We encourage you to register by making a deposit while you get your assistance sorted. Your deposit will be refunded if you cannot attend because financial assistance was not awarded.

Yes, you can. The Academy earns you 3 CEU credits.

A form to apply for CEU credits will be handed out the last day of the Academy. A fee of $15 is charged by the Upper Room to process the CEU credits and must be submitted with the form.

We will miss you but wish you well.

Please notify the registrar as soon as possible so someone on the waiting list can attend.

$100 of what you paid is non-refundable.

Registration payments in excess of the deposit can be refunded for cancellations prior to March 20, 2026.

After March 20, 2026, the Academy will be billed by the Center for your room, and therefore:

After that date, partial refunds may be given only in emergency situations.

If you are confused, have other questions, or simply uncertain about anything regarding the 2026 5 Day Academy, please email the retreat leader or the registrar.