Frequently Asked Questions

Thanks for consulting the Holden Village FAQ. Many common questions about Holden are answered below. We invite you to contact us with additional questions.

1. How do I get to Holden?
2. How do I get to Chelan without a car?
3. What type of person comes to Holden? Do I have to be Lutheran or Christian to come? Is Holden welcoming to those who have been excluded elsewhere in the church?
4. How long is the average stay?
5. Do you take credit cards?
6. Why doesn’t Holden have phones? Will my cell phone work? Can I check my e-mail?
7. How can people contact me if there is an emergency?
8. What are meal times like?
9. What are accommodations like?
10. What is expected of me when I’m there?
11. What should I bring or not bring to Holden?
12. Is there programming for children?
13. Can I come in the winter?
14. What if I need medical attention?
15. What if I have special dietary needs?
16. Can I be on staff? For how long?
17. Are alcoholic beverages allowed?
18. Is there a school at Holden Village?
19. Can I go fishing?
20. Is there a sabbatical option for clergy?

1. How do I get to Holden? Getting to Holden Village is part of the adventure! We are located in the Cascade Mountains of north central Washington State. There are no roads that connect Holden to the rest of the world. It is accessible only by a scenic passenger ferry boat that travels up Lake Chelan (schedule). This boat leaves daily in the summer and three times a week in the winter.You can board the boat at one of two locations: the city dock in the town of Chelan or at Field’s Point Landing further up the lake. The latter location is a Forest Service Concession operated by Holden Village with ample parking. We also operate a Bed and Breakfastfacility about one mile from the Field’s Point Landing.Visitors disembark the boat at the port of Lucerne where a bus will be waiting. You arrive at the Village after an eleven mile trip up the mountain switchbacks. Lunch and room assignments will be ready when you step off the bus.
2. How do I get to Chelan without a car?Good question! From Seattle, you can travel to Wenatchee by plane (Horizon Airlines), by train (Amtrak), or bus (Greyhound). There is an inexpensive commuter bus that departs from Wenatchee’s Columbia bus station to Chelan. Ask the driver to drop you off at the Chelan boat dock. There are also taxis in Wenatchee which will make the 35 mile trip to Chelan, but this can be pricey. For links to all of these resources, see our getting here page.
3. What type of person comes to Holden? Do I have to be Lutheran or Christian to come?The mission statement of Holden Village calls us to “welcome all people into the wilderness.” This means everybody! Guests coming to Holden include a wide variety of singles, couples and families of all kinds, young, old and in-between. People come from all over the nation to rejoice in the unity that is ours in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Race, gender, age, religion, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation or handicap are not barriers to our fellowship but rather cause for celebration as we enjoy together the outrageous variety of God’s people.While Holden is rooted in the Lutheran Christian tradition, all faith traditions are celebrated and welcomed into this community. Non-Christians can feel comfortable in an atmosphere of mutual acceptance and conversation. We celebrate the unity and diversity of the church, all humanity and all creation. All are welcome!
4. How long is the average stay?The usual stay for a guest in the summer is one week, although you can register for longer or shorter periods. We recommend the week stay simply because there is such a wide variety of activities and programming options, especially during the summer months. Registration is required prior to your arrival.
5. Do you take credit cards?We accept credit cards for online registration deposits only. All payments at the village including registration fees and other purchases are by check or cash.
6. Why doesn’t Holden have phones? Will my cell phone work? Can I check my e-mail?Holden is truly a place apart, and our remote isolation is a most treasured gift. This is a retreat center where you can get three excellent meals a day, a warm bed, a hot shower, an outstanding program and you are free from having to be connected with the outside world. Cell phones will not work in this remote setting (trust us on this one!). We do have e-mail service but this is available only for staff or guests who are here one month or longer. There are no exceptions to this policy. As satellite communication improves, Holden will continue to respond to new technology. We ask you to leave your cell or satellite phone behind and discover the joy of not being immediately available.
7. How can people contact me if there is an emergency?Please see our contact page for emergency contact procedures.
8. What are meal times like?All meals are served in the dining hall. Breakfast is a buffet from about 7:00AM to 8:30AM and you can arrive whenever it suits you. Morning Matins, a brief worship service of about four minutes, takes place at 8:00. Lunch is served from 12:00 to 1:30. The dining hall is converted into Café Holden for the dinner meal which has a continuous seating from 4:45 to 6:15 so that you can come at a time convenient for you. Each meal is a time for conversation, thanksgiving and celebration.
9. What are accommodations like?Most guests are housed in comfortable lodge rooms which can accommodate between 2 and 4 people. Bathrooms are down the hall. Families are typically housed in one bunk/family room. A limited number of wheelchair accessible rooms are available. Singles may be asked to share with another person during busy times.
10. What is expected of me when I’m there?There is a great deal of freedom in deciding what you want to do when you are at Holden. Some people spend a lot of time outdoors exploring the Wilderness Area; others stay close by to take advantage of the outstanding program offerings. You might want to try your hand at one of the many craft projects or spend time alone reading. Every new and returning community member blesses this ministry with their presence.Whatever paths we have taken during the day, we join together each evening for worship. The Vespers service, which is about 20-30 minutes in length, is the one time that we are all together to celebrate our lives hidden in Christ. We expect all community members to be present.
11. What should I bring or not bring to Holden?Guest services that Holden provides:linens and towels, cribs and high chairs, laundry facilities (coin), laundry soap, cloth diapers, plastic pants, pins, and diaper pail, post office, snack bar (ice cream, popcorn, pop, etc), store (books, film, T-shirts and sweatshirts, stationery, toiletries, snacks, cassette tapes, etc). Payment may be made in cash, personal and travelers checks — no credit cards. A limited selection of hiking and camping equipment is available for checkout as well.What you might bring:

    Warm jacket — night temps in the 40s, swim suit for sauna (and jacuzzi when it’s in operation), bathrobe (bathrooms are down the hall), camera, lightweight casual clothing (day temps in 70-80s or higher), light rain gear, fishing equipment or hiking gear, (if you’re interested in that), comfortable walking shoes and/or hiking shoes, bug repellent and sunscreen, flashlight, toiletries including hand soap, personal medications and toiletries, battery operated alarm clock, checkbook, cash or travelers checks (the Village doesn’t take credit cards), Note: there is a general store with a limited number of toiletry items, film and one-use cameras.

    In the winter season, bring:

    Winter boots (with good tread), warm coat, hat and gloves, winter sport gear (e.g. cross country skis, snowshoes), light rain gear (early winter)

    What Not to Bring:

    Towels and linens, hair dryers, curling irons (they strain our hydroelectric plant), cellular/satellite telephones, disposable diapers (the Holden laundry offers a diaper service, providing cloth diapers, plastic pants, pins and diaper pails), pets, firearms (unless you are hiking through to hunt or you have written permission from a Holden Village Director), illegal drugs, candles, incense

12. Do you have a kids program?We offer part-time programs for children and youth accompanying their families. Our Narnia program provides age appropriate activities for infants and children through age 11. The Junior Miners/Miners program offers activities for youth entering grades six through twelve. Volunteer staff lead games, hikes and a host of fun and educational activities, some of which complement our summer theme. Parents using this service are asked to volunteer one morning a week during their stay.
13. Can I come in the winter?Yes, Holden is a year round retreat center. Our average winter community is about 60 to 80 people. Holden is incredibly beautiful all year but the mid-September/October fall color period and the winter season offer special opportunities for renewal. With our average snowfall of about 250 inches, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, sledding and other winter recreations become popular activities. There are also special weekend and week long retreats offered during the winter. These are posted on the Web site as the fall season begins. Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year and Holy Week/Easter are especially festive times.There is no handicapped accessibility during the winter months due to the extreme snowfall in Railroad Creek Valley. There is no child care offered during these months.
14. What if I need medical attention?There is a Medic on staff at Holden that can provide first aid in case a villager is ill or injured. We also have a trained First Response Team that can help in emergencies both within the Village and the surrounding area. The Holden Bookstore carries a few over-the-counter medications. Evacuations are difficult and can take several hours. We suggest that those with known medical difficulties consult their physician before coming to Holden; have your health care provider check our Web site if they are unfamiliar with our isolated setting.
15. What if I have special dietary needs?Our Food Service Coordinator will be happy to assist you. Most meals offer a Vegan/Vegetarian alternative. Before your arrival, please contact out kitchen staff at
16. Can I be on staff? For how long?Holden Village is the inheritor of a rich legacy of volunteer labor. Thousands of men and women of all ages have helped maintain this facility from our very first year to now. Yes, you can join in! There are always more tasks than hands to do them. Many guests enjoy volunteering for a few hours during their stay, helping out with dishes, setting tables, housekeeping and kitchen work or gathering firewood for the winter. Our needs are always changing and your help is always welcome. Please contact out staff coordinators at

    Or explore all options for working at Holden.

17. Are alcoholic beverages allowed?Yes, any guest over the age of twenty-one can bring alcoholic beverages into the Village. We request that you limit the enjoyment of these products to your living space or the porch of your lodge. Providing alcohol to persons under 21 or drinking alcohol under the age of 21 is not allowed and those violating this State Law will be asked to leave the Village on the next transport. There are no exceptions to this policy.
18. Is there a school at Holden Village?Yes, but the Holden Village School is not a private institution. It is a Public School operated under the auspices of the Chelan School District. It meets all state educational requirements and credits earned are transferable. It is the only school in the State of Washington classified as “remote but necessary.” Our Kindergarten through 12th grade curriculum meets the educational needs of the children of long term staff families.We also accept a limited number of boarding students. If you have questions about the school or would like information about becoming a boarding student, contact

19. Can I go fishing?Yes! You must have a Washington fishing license- one day passes can be purchased at the Holden Post Office. Our Hike Haus can give you advice on where to go. They also have some spin casting poles and fly fishing poles and reels for loan. You may of course, bring your own. The Village kitchen will even cook your trout for breakfast – please speak to the kitchen staff in advance to make arrangements.
20. Is there a sabbatical option for clergy?Yes! See our sabbatical page.