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2024 International Retreat to Panama

Wednesday, January 24th - Sunday, January 28th

Early registration fee is $2250 until November 17th.

Full-fee registration of $2350 will commence November 18th

Retreat Dates: Wednesday, January 24th, 5pm - Sunday, January 28th, 11am.

An amazing line-up of learning, special experiences, and FUN has been curated for you by our tireless Retreat Committee, including:

  • Dinner and private tour of Frank Ghery’s Biomuseo – situated at the mouth of the Canal dedicated to the science of biodiversity, the Isthmus, and its impact on our climate in the Americas as well as our biological species. We will learn about the Smithsonian Research Institute (STRI) and hear about this amazing 100-year US/Panama partnership for the advancement of science. We will watch the sunset and ships coming into the Canal and hear from the female engineer who oversaw the expansion. 
  • Panama Canal – At the canal museum on Saturday morning, we will enjoy a private tour and learn about the recently completed Canal expansion pivotal to world trade, and the engineering feats these canals represent.
  • We will hear from US Ambassador to Panama, Mari Carmen Aponte, and former US Ambassador Linda Watt what we most need to know about Panama, its history, current US Panama relations, and what it’s like to represent the US in this key Central American country.
  • We have been cordially invited to celebrate our last night together at the beautiful ambassador’s residence. · We will staying at the newly opened, reimagined, historic Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo, that boasts ocean front rooms, Michelin-starred cuisine, an infinity pool and world class spa, all just steps from the vibrant and revitalized old city with art galleries, coffee shops, boutiques, and bars within easy walking distance.

To book your hotel visit: https://book.passkey.com/gt/219531846?gtid=23ea9ae30db1d0bea8ded0fa7e05d3f1  

If you need additional assistance or days that are not on the link above, please reach out directly to the hotel. The number of reservations is l +507 302-4300 but they also have an email which the hotel has said is a better way to communicate with reservations: reservations.legendpanama@sofitel.com. 

A Note from the Fun Committee!

The Fun Committee has lots of great, fun things planned for the Panama Retreat! To whet your appetite about some of the fun things to come:

  • Saturday Night’s Theme is “FEMALE ICONS”: Start thinking about your costume for Saturday night’s bash and come dressed up as your favorite female icon. Will you be Madonna, Serena “G.O.A.T.” Williams, Ruth Bader Ginsburg (“the Notorious R.B.G.”), or some other bad-ass woman?
  • Saturday Night Performances: Carrying on our Grove tradition, we’re seeking performers who will sing, dance, rap, juggle, perform a skit – whatever your entertainment genre, we want to hear from you! Perform as a group or go solo. Sign up here if you’re interested in performing. 
  • Karaoke Night: Yes, that’s right, we said KARAOKE SINGING! Marta Glazier is bringing her karaoke machine down to Panama so we Grove sisters can put our vocal chords to good use and sing our favorite karaoke songs. Submit your song requests here.
  • Trivia Games: The Fun Committee has fun trivia games planned so you can get to know your fellow Grove sisters! Prizes, awards and eternal fame will be given to whoever guesses the correct answers.

REQUEST TO ALL GROVERS: We are requesting that ALL GROVERS submit 5 little-known “trivia” facts about yourself that most people don’t know about you – Click here to submit your facts!. This will help us create get-to-know you activities and trivia games to facilitate sister bonding. We would like ALL GROVERS to submit, regardless of whether you attend the Panama Retreat but ESPECIALLY if you’re attending the Panama Retreat.

Sample Sister Trivia Submission:

Your Name: Jane Doe

Your Cohort (Grover, TARA, Nyomi): TARA

5 Things Most People Don’t Know About Me:

1.       I won a Taylor Swift lookalike contest.

2.       I came to America as a refugee at the age of 16 with just $20 in my pocket.

3.       I was the first woman elected to partner in my law firm.

4.       I herded sheep in Argentina.

5.       I almost won the Jeopardy! Teen Tournament… but I lost to a 17-year-old junior from MIT.

Just Announced!
2024 MINI RETREAT: Montgomery, AL

We are excited to announce that our next mini-retreat will take place Thursday, September 26 - Saturday, September 28 in Montgomery, AL! The committee is working on putting together more details, as well as some fabulous pre and post trips options to the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, Muscle Shoals, AL and more. Stay tuned for more details!

    Upcoming events

    • Pre & Post Retreat Trips - Belizean Grove Panama 2024 Retreat

      • 23 Jan 2024
      Registration is closed

      The extended deadline to sign up for Pre Trips is December 23, 2023. Please book your trip directly with the travel agent below.  If you have any questions regarding your pre or post trip reach directly out to the travel agent.  

      Rainforest Boat Adventure (Jungle Boat Tour) - January 24. 

      Please contact Katiana via email katianag@anconexpeditions.com.  

      The deadline for signing up is December 23rd. 

      Early in the morning you will be picked up at the lobby of the Sofitel in Casco Viejo by your Ancon Expeditions of Panama Naturalist Guide for a 45 minute drive to the town of Gamboa, where the Chagres River meets the Panama Canal. Here you will board an expedition boat and depart on an adventure that will include a voyage across Gatun Lake in the Panama Canal passing by gigantic cargo ships transiting the waterway making contrast with the natural surroundings. Along the way, you will have the opportunity to spot Green iguana and Three-toed sloth resting on tree branches, Crocodile, Osprey in the hunt for Peacock bass, Snail kite and Keel-billed toucan among other wildlife.  Gatun Lake was formed to give way to the Panama Canal in 1914. With a surface of 423 square-kilometers, at the time of its creation was the largest man-made lake in the world. The flow of all the rivers within the Panama Canal Watershed is contained in Gatun Lake to provide water for the operation of the lock system. More than 52 million gallons of fresh water are used by every ship that transits through the Panama Canal from one ocean to the other. Your expedition boat will allow for close proximity to rainforest covered islands (former hill tops) in Gatun Lake to search for White-faced Capuchin, Mantled Howler Monkey, Central American Spider Monkey, and Geoffroy’s Tamarin. Enjoy the extraordinary views of the Panama Canal and learn about the intricate relationship between nature and one of the greatest engineering marvels of the world. Fruits, snacks and water for refilling provided.  The trip is 5-6 hours. 

      Cost: $90.00+tax


      Embera Indigenous Encounter - January 24.  

      Please contact Ana via email anacristina@pmatravelgroup.comto book your trip.  

      The deadline for signing up is December 23rd.

      Travel through the dense jungle up the Chagres River in a motorized piragua (dug-out canoe) to one of the Embera indigenous villages for the day. You will learn about fascinating Embera traditions and their close relationship with nature. After a traditional Embera lunch we will head back to Panama City. The trip is 7-8 hours. 

      Cost: $140.00 + tax


      Agua Clara Locks & Historic Portobelo - January 23. 

      Please contact Ana via email anacristina@pmatravelgroup.comto book your trip. 

       The deadline for signing up is December 23rd.

      Visit to the Agua Clara Visitor Center and Locks, where we'll view the amazing Panama Canal first hand. Afterward, we'll tour the historic town of Portobelo. Lunch will be held at El Otro Lado, where you will have a guided tour of the property followed by relaxation by the pool for the rest of the afternoon. The trip is 5-6 hours.

      Cost: $425.00 + tax


      Note: If you have signed up for a pre-trip already, the travel agent will be reaching out to you directly to pay your final balance and send you all the details about departure time from the hotel.


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    • 2024 Panama Retreat

      • 24 Jan 2024
      • 28 Jan 2024
      • Panama City, Panama
      • 81
      Register

      Our international retreat in Panama is  January 24-28, 2024. The early registration fee is $2250 until November 17th.  

      Panama retreat activities will officially begin 5pm Wednesday, January 24th, and conclude at 11am on Sunday, January 28th.  

      January is Panama’s peak month, and the weather is perfect. It is their summer and the month of the year when people fall in love with Panama and are willing to tolerate the otherwise hot and humid and rainy months. 

      Our Panama retreat committee is hard at work and has created an amazing line-up of learning, experiences and FUN so far, including:

      • Dinner and private tour of Frank Ghery’s Biomuseo –  situated at the mouth of the Canal dedicated to the science of biodiversity, the Isthmus, and its impact on our climate in the Americas as well as our biological species. We will learn about the Smithsonian Research Institute (STRI) and hear about this amazing 100 year US/Panama partnership for the advancement of science. We will watch the sunset and ships coming into the Canal and hear from the female engineer who oversaw the expansion.

      • Panama Canal – At the canal museum on Saturday morning, we will enjoy a private tour and learn about the recently completed Canal expansion pivotal to world trade, and the engineering feats these canals represent. 

      • TWO of our very own US Ambassadors to Panama, Linda Watt and Mari Carmen Aponte, will share what we most need to know about Panama, its history, current US Panama relations, and what it’s like to represent the US in this key Central American country. Later that night, we will celebrate together as guests at the beautiful ambassador’s residence celebrating our Grove sisterhood.

      We will staying at the newly opened, reimagined, historic  Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo, that boasts ocean front rooms, michelin-starred cuisine, an infinity pool and world class spa, all just steps from the vibrant and revitalized old city with art galleries, coffee shops, boutiques, and bars within easy walking distance.

      Due to the excitement of the retreat, the Sofitel rooming block is full so we are suggesting hotels that have availability and are walking distance to the Sofitel.  

      1. American Trade Hotel - The American Trade Hotel is a boutique luxury property in the Casco Viejo neighborhood and only an 8 minute walk to the Sofitel Hotel. Click HERE 
      2. Central Hotel Panama - The Central Hotel Panama is a five-star hotel in the heart of the Casco Viejo historic district that has been an iconic resting place for discerning travelers since 1874. It is a 5 minute walk to the Sofitel Hotel. Click HERE

      If you need additional assistance or days that are not on the link above, please reach out directly to the hotel.  The number of reservations is l +507 302-4300 but they also have an email which the hotel has said is a better way to communicate with reservations: reservations.legendpanama@sofitel.com. 


      Show details
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