Frequently Asked Questions

As a non-profit religious organization, Lael may be used:

• by non-profit religious groups of all types
• by non-profit non-religious community organizations
• by individuals and groups holding events that might reasonably be carried out by any church or religious organization, such as social events, weddings, family gatherings, meetings, retreats, dinners, educational events, recreational activities, and the like

While Lael was created as a Christian retreat center, use is not limited to Christian or other religious groups or activities.  It may be used by individuals and groups for not-for-profit events such as weddings, family gatherings, meetings, retreats, dinners, educational events, recreational activities, youth groups, and the like.

Lael is a three-season facility, available from mid-March through mid-November.  Check availability here.

You may register right here on our website, or request a printed reservation form by emailing LaelRetreatCenter@gmail.com or calling 208-997-8229.

Lael may be reserved for a couple of hours or a few days.  Day use is considered to be up to 8 hours.  Overnight use is generally a 24-hour period.  Multi-day use (consecutive days without overnight stay) is charged as an overnight use because the facility would not be available for other users. Weddings require a two-day minimum to allow for decorating/set-up and take-down.

Check in/check out is flexible to accommodate your needs, with the earliest arrival time being 8 a.m., and check out by 5 p.m. unless otherwise arranged in advance.

See our fee schedule.

In most cases, there will not be a host on site during your event.  When you arrive, a Lael representative will meet you at the facility to make certain that everything is in order for your use and to answer any questions you may have. A Lael representative will also be on site at the time of your scheduled departure to secure the facility.  Since special arrangements are made to have a representative on site at your designated arrival and departure time, please be sure to notify us by calling or texting 208-997-8229, or emailing LaelRetreatCenter@gmail.com if your plans change to insure that you will be able to access the facility.

Be sure to read our Policies and Procedures for details about renting Lael.

The Bozett Barn

On the ground floor:

• a dining/meeting area with tables and chairs
• a full kitchen with two electric ranges, fridge, microwaves, sinks, cookware, tableware, coffee makers, small appliances... pretty much every basic kitchen need you might have except that there is no dishwasher and no vent hood over the ranges
• two bathrooms, each with a hot shower, and multiple sinks and toilets

Upstairs

• a large open room with 10 pull-down cots with mattresses
• a game area with foosball table and ping pong table
• a sleeping loft with two more cots
• plenty of space for additional camp cots/air mattresses

The Chapel is located on the highest point of the property and offers a view of the surrounding countryside.  There are folding chairs and a podium, and it can also be used for additional sleeping quarters of the "indoor camping" style (on the floor; bring sleeping pad or air mattress). There are no restrooms or running water in the Chapel, but there is electricity.

Both buildings have electric baseboard heat and portable air conditioning units.  There are also outdoor picnic tables.

Learn more

The Barn and Chapel can each accommodate up to 60 people.  For larger groups, please contact us.

A similar number of vehicles are able to park on the grounds, however we encourage carpooling whenever possible.

Yes, there is plenty of space to pitch a tent or park your self-contained RV.  We do not have hookups or a dump station on site.

We do not offer Wi-Fi and we do not have a landline phone. Lael has cell phone service.  It would be wise to have any audio-visual presentations downloaded to your laptop, phone, or flash drive.

No, guests should plan to bring their own computers, projectors, screen, sound equipment, musical instruments, and any other necessary devices and equipment.

Lael's well water is safe to drink.  However, groups may wish to bring drinking water, since our well, like most wells on the Palouse, has a high mineral content and may appear cloudy from extensive filtering.

In addition to food and beverages, overnight users will need to bring their own bedding (sheets/blanket or sleeping bag), towels, and toiletries (bath soap, shampoo, etc.).  We do not supply linens.  There are 12 sleeping cots with mattresses available.  If your group has more than 12 people, some will want to bring an air mattress, sleeping pad, or camp cot.

Alcohol of all types is prohibited on the premises at all times.  We suggest toasting the bride and groom with non-alcoholic sparkling cider.

Please be respectful of our neighbors by limiting loud outdoor noise after 9 p.m. and before 8 a.m.

Service animals are allowed in the buildings.  Pets are permitted on the grounds but must be kept outside of all buildings and under the control of the owner. Please clean up after your pet.

We encourage you to place recyclable materials in the container provided.  Put all non-recyclable garbage in the provided garbage cans.  You may pack your garbage out if you wish, but it isn't necessary.  Leave garbage cans and extra bags of garbage inside the building, near the front door.  A Lael representative will dispose of the garbage.

We do not charge a cleaning fee at this time, but we do ask that you clean the facility before you leave.  You will find brooms and mops in the storage area off the kitchen.  Cleaning supplies for the kitchen and bathrooms are kept in the tall cupboard near the stoves.  In general, please leave the facility in the same condition you found it.

• Ping-pong and foosball tables are located upstairs in the Barn
• Scavenger hunt on Nature Trail
• Hiking the nature trail loop and the pond loop
• Watching for wildlife (birds, elk, turkeys, deer, squirrels, lizards...)
• Bring your own outdoor games
• Campfires are permitted only with advance permission and only in the existing fire ring. We usually have firewood on site. A water spigot and hose are available near the fire ring.  Please be sure to thoroughly douse the fire before retiring for the night.

• Alcohol is not allowed on the premises
• Smoking is not allowed in the buildings. Please be extremely careful with matches and cigarettes outdoors.
• Paintball activities are prohibited
• No fireworks
• No firearms on the premises. Target shooting and hunting are prohibited.

Call us at 208-997-8229, or call one of our board members directly.  Their numbers are posted in the Barn.

No.  If you are staying overnight, be sure to bring a flashlight or lantern and have water on hand, as the well pump will not operate without electricity.

• Fire extinguishers
• First Aid Kit
• Smoke Alarms
• Emergency exit lighting
• Bee sting kits

There is no telephone on the premises, but there is cell phone service. In case of emergencies, the Troy Fire/Ambulance telephone number is 208-835-2601 or 911.

The town of Troy is about 10-15 minutes from Lael.  The nearest hospital is in Moscow, about 20–30 minutes away.

The address of Lael Retreat Center is 1181 White Pine Flats Road, Troy ID

Lael relies solely on individual donations and user fees to maintain and improve Lael Retreat Center. Your support enables us to operate Lael for all to enjoy.

Lael, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) public charity (EIN # 82-0368229). Contributions to Lael are deductible under section 170 of the Code. To make a tax-deductible donation, send a check to Lael, Inc., 405 S Van Buren St., Moscow ID 83843.

• Donations to our general fund support operation and maintenance of the facility
• Donations to our improvement fund helps with upgrades and building projects (currently a Chapel Siding Replacement project)
• Donations to our endowment help provide for future needs

No income generated by Lael from donations or user fees goes towards any religious organization or church. Every dollar received funds the operation, maintenance, and improvements of Lael Retreat Center.

Dreams for the future include:

• Replacing the 40-year old siding on the Chapel with durable, fire-resistant siding.
• Expansion of the Chapel to include a restroom and dressing room/storage area.
• A separate dormitory building with restrooms and showers.
• A small house to accommodate an onsite caretaker.

Lael is a Hebrew word meaning “belonging to God.”

Lael Retreat Center is owned and operated by Lael, Inc., a non-profit 501(c)(3) public charity managed by a 9-member volunteer Board of Directors made up of First Presbyterian members and friends who are elected to the Board by members of the church.  While Lael is affiliated with Moscow First Presbyterian Church in this way, it is a separate corporation and operates independently in terms of governance and finances.  Lael does not promote or support any religious group or denomination.

Darrel Bozett was a Moscow businessman and member of Moscow First Presbyterian Church.  He had a vision for a rural Christian retreat center where families and people of all ages and walks of life could gather to learn about God, worship, make new friends, and enjoy the beauty of God’s creation. When he purchased the property in the late 1970s, he gave it the name of “Lael,” a Hebrew word meaning “belonging to God.” He and a group of friends built the Chapel and began to transform the Barn from an actual barn into the facility we enjoy today.

In the early 1990s, before moving to southern Idaho, Darrell generously offered to give the Lael property to Moscow First Presbyterian Church.  The church formed the non-profit Lael Foundation to take ownership of the property, continue improvements, and solicit donations to pay off the mortgage.  Once the mortgage was retired, Lael, Inc. was formed.  The Barn project was completed and Lael Retreat Center began to be used by other churches and groups.

We are grateful for the members and friends of Moscow First Presbyterian, along with a number of Boy Scouts from the church’s Troop 344 and friends from Bovill Community Presbyterian Church, who have given many hours over the years building, remodeling, upgrading, and maintaining the buildings and grounds.

Lael Retreat Center grew out of the efforts of Moscow First Presbyterian Church members.  According to Lael’s By-Laws, the individual members of the church are the voting members of Lael, Inc.  Church members make up the majority of Lael, Inc.’s volunteer Board of Directors, and volunteers from the church, as individuals, continue to work on and help fund facility improvements.  However, First Presbyterian Church of Moscow and Lael, Inc. are separate legal entities and are governed by separate boards.  Lael is self-supporting and financially independent from First Presbyterian Church. Every dollar generated by Lael through facility use and donations funds the operation, maintenance, and improvements of Lael Retreat Center. Lael does not promote or support any religious organization.