Abstract
The retreat begins on a Friday evening with most participants leaving for the meeting after their last class. The retreat begins with an extended social hour. This often allows individuals to showcase spirits and other libations from their culture. (Physics Departments are often the most ethnically diverse departments on campus.) This has proved effective in getting individuals to open up at an early stage in the meeting.
Saturday normally begins with Mass for those wish to attend. The morning session tends to have the attributes of a workshop meeting of physics teachers that one might encounter at a national or regional conference. The afternoon session generally focuses on how we can work together to create the best experience for our students.