I had the pleasure of spending this past weekend a Birch Haven Retreat in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. I had been there once before and this past weekend was every bit as fun as the first go-around! Birch Haven can basically be described as an Air B&B for crafters. The house has been completely renovated with the clear intent to accommodate a group of crafters for a weekend (or week long) crafting retreat. It is obvious that the person who designed the space did so with a group crafting event in mind. From the provided cup holder/trash bag combos that attach to your work table to the open living area that has been transformed into a crafting work space (complete with outlets all over the ground so that you can set up a sewing machine anywhere you please), this house seriously has it all!
The house has two levels, the ground floor and the re-finished basement. There are three bedrooms in the house and can comfortably sleep 9-10 people. The first bedroom has 3 single beds and the second bedroom has 5. There is a third bedroom in the basement that has a full bed. There is also a very large and cushy L-shaped couch in the basement that could be utilized as a bed (if you are into that kind of thing) as well as some extra space for air mattresses.
I wouldn’t recommend planning a crafting weekend with a group larger than 10 people, maybe 11 if you really want to stretch it. There are technically only 10 workstations, but there is a dining table and a built in desk that technically could be used as craft spaces as well if you had a group larger than 10. I do think that a group larger than 10 would be very tight though. Even 10 might be pushing it. Both times I have been to Birch Haven, I went with a group of 7-8 others and I felt like that was the perfect amount of people. We filled out the crafting area, but each of us were still able to have our own workspace without tripping over each other.
I could go on and on about this place because I really think it’s that great, but what I think would be more helpful to anyone considering possibly planning a trip to Birch Haven would be to answer the list of questions that I had before the first time that I went.
What is the sleeping situation like at Birch Haven?
There are three bedrooms that can accommodate up to 10 people comfortably. The first bedroom has 3 single beds. The second bedroom has 5 single beds. The third bedroom is in the basement and had one full sized bed. Along with the 3 bedrooms, there are 4 bathrooms. One of the bathrooms has dual showers so there is no issue at all if multiple people are trying to get ready at once.
Double showers in one of the four bathrooms at Birch Haven Retreat 
A changing nook in one of the four bathrooms at Birch Haven Retreat
What types of crafts can I do at Birch Haven?
Just about anything! The space is set up especially well for sewing, knit/crochet, and scrapbooking/paper crafting. There are 8 5-foot tables as well as two 5-foot workstations. I have not been to Birch Haven with a group larger than 8, so each time I have gone, we each got our own 5-foot table. We then used the workstations to set up our Cricut machines or as carry over space. I’m sure if you are into painting or sign making or beading/jewelry making, you could make the space work as well, but I have only ever gone with quilters and scrapbookers, so I can’t say for certain how the space would work for other types of crafts.
What supplies are provided Birch Haven?
There are two ironing boards and irons as well as 10 tables. Each table has a cup holder / trash bag combo attached to it. There are an abundant amount of outlets for any tool or device you might need to plug in and the house is equipped with wireless internet and a smart TV that is set up with cable. No cutting machines, sewing machines, or crafting supplies of any kind are provided, so make sure to bring whatever you will need for the project you plan to work on!
If I forget a supply, are there any crafting stores in the area that I can run to?
There are a number of options located locally. Beaver Dam is actually the home of the Nancy’s Notions headquarters and retail store. (Yes, THE Nancy’s Notions – the store founded by Nancy Zieman who was the host of “Sewing with Nancy” on public television for 35 years.) You will find fabric, patterns & sewing supplies at Nancy’s Notions and you can also get your sewing machine serviced there should something really go array. For general craft supplies, Kornely’s Craft & Hobby Center is located in downtown Beaver Dam and is open Wednesday-Saturday from 10 AM-5 PM. There is also a Joann store, a Wal-Mart Supercenter and a Shopko in town should you need a basic craft supply as well as a Fleet Farm and a Menards should you need more of a heavy-duty tool.
Looking into the kitchen from the main craft room 
Looking into the dining area from the craft room
What should I bring to eat and can I cook there?
Birch Haven provides a fully equipped kitchen that includes a glass stove top, a double oven, a full sized refrigerator, a microwave, a dishwasher and a double basin sink with a garbage disposal. All dinnerware, drinkware, and flatware is provided. Small appliances include a full sized coffee maker, a Keurig machine, a toaster, and a slow cooker. All basic kitchen utensils, cookware and bakeware are available for use as well. Both times I attended a getaway at Birch Haven, the group that I went with coordinated a meal plan beforehand. Each of us was responsible for one meal to serve to everyone, that way we had a variety of home cooked meals for the weekend, but really only had to worry about one meal. You can certainly cook there, but I prefer to prepare a make-ahead meal so that I can spend more time focused on whatever I am working on. That has worked out well for me, but there are plenty of local restaurants that deliver as well if cooking isn’t your thing.
Birch Haven really is a great place to retreat for a weekend spent crafting and catching up with your favorite gal pals. I have enjoyed my stay there each time I visited and would plan another getaway there in a heartbeat!
♥
