Model Building Retreats

Since 2001, we’ve had annual model building retreats during most years, usually during January to March. Among the different places its been held, the Lodge at Fort A.P. Hill is the crowd favorite. It has rooms that sleep 12 people and has a full kitchen. The event has grown in popularity over the years, and what began as three nights is now up to five.

A black log cabin-style house with large windows, surrounded by snow, with icicles hanging from the roof and a tree in front, in a winter setting.

A black log cabin-style house with large windows, surrounded by snow, with icicles hanging from the roof and a tree in front, in a winter setting.

A log cabin-style building with a black-and-white striped exterior, surrounded by tall trees, with snow on parts of the roof and ground. There are multiple cars parked in front of the building on a gravel driveway.

A log cabin-style building with a black-and-white striped exterior, surrounded by tall trees, with snow on parts of the roof and ground. There are multiple cars parked in front of the building on a gravel driveway.

A patio scene featuring a stone and log cabin exterior on the left with a window, black wrought iron table and chairs, large trees with bare branches, a river in the background, and some houses visible in the distance at sunset.

A patio scene featuring a stone and log cabin exterior on the left with a window, black wrought iron table and chairs, large trees with bare branches, a river in the background, and some houses visible in the distance at sunset.

People working on a workshop table inside a log cabin style room.

People working on a workshop table inside a log cabin style room.

Five men sitting around a cluttered table, working on model building projects, with boxes of model kits, tools, and supplies.

Five men sitting around a cluttered table, working on model building projects, with boxes of model kits, tools, and supplies.

Three men sitting at a cluttered table with tools, books, and equipment in a rustic room. One man is wearing a virtual reality headset, another man is smiling and holding a device, and the third man is looking at something off camera.

Three men sitting at a cluttered table with tools, books, and equipment in a rustic room. One man is wearing a virtual reality headset, another man is smiling and holding a device, and the third man is looking at something off camera.

A workshop with multiple people working on electronic projects at a long table. The space has wooden walls and large windows, with various tools and equipment scattered across the table.

A workshop with multiple people working on electronic projects at a long table. The space has wooden walls and large windows, with various tools and equipment scattered across the table.

A miniature model of the Millennium Falcon inside a custom lightbox setup on a worktable, with tools and supplies nearby.

A miniature model of the Millennium Falcon inside a custom lightbox setup on a worktable, with tools and supplies nearby.

A man wearing glasses and a red plaid shirt soldering or working on electronic components inside a well-lit workspace with tools and equipment.

A man wearing glasses and a red plaid shirt soldering or working on electronic components inside a well-lit workspace with tools and equipment.

A man stands in a kitchen near a stove with a skillet and tray of cooked food, looking to the side, with a window behind him.

A man stands in a kitchen near a stove with a skillet and tray of cooked food, looking to the side, with a window behind him.

Six men posing outdoors near a body of water with trees in the background, some standing and some squatting or kneeling.

Six men posing outdoors near a body of water with trees in the background, some standing and some squatting or kneeling.

Group of ten men standing outdoors on a paved path with a wooded hillside background.

Group of ten men standing outdoors on a paved path with a wooded hillside background.

Group of men standing in front of a log cabin on a dirt surface with trees in the background

Group of men standing in front of a log cabin on a dirt surface with trees in the background

A group of 16 men posing indoors in front of wooden walls. Some are standing, some kneeling, with a clock on the wall behind them showing 12:21, and windows with white curtains. They are dressed casually.

A group of 16 men posing indoors in front of wooden walls. Some are standing, some kneeling, with a clock on the wall behind them showing 12:21, and windows with white curtains. They are dressed casually.

A group of fifteen men gathered outside a rustic log cabin with a shingled roof, some standing and others sitting or lying down, posing for a photo during the daytime.

A group of fifteen men gathered outside a rustic log cabin with a shingled roof, some standing and others sitting or lying down, posing for a photo during the daytime.

Group of men posing on a wooden deck in front of a building.

Group of men posing on a wooden deck in front of a building.