Christian Camp and Retreat Center in the Ozark Mountains, Arkansas

SOTO sits on 435 acres of natural Ozark Mountain forest in Harriet, Arkansas. The property is a year-round camp and retreat centre, not a hotel, and groups book it for youth retreats, family reunions, corporate retreats, college retreats, and men's and women's retreats. The main office is in Texas (817.310.0280) and there is a welcome centre on site (870.448.3242).

Accommodation is in nine log-cabin-style lodges. They vary in decor and size, from a single family up to a group of 400. The lodges are described as luxurious and accommodating, and the reviews mention friendly and helpful staff. This is a camp setting, so expect shared cabins and communal spaces rather than hotel rooms.

Activities are mostly self-guided and outdoors. The spring-fed mountain creek is used for swimming, fishing and snorkeling (bring your own gear). River tubing is popular and tubes are provided. There are self-guided hiking trails through the forest, plus sand volleyball, basketball, frisbee golf, paintball, a high ropes course, a cliffhanger, horseback riding, and canoeing on the Buffalo River. Blanchard Springs Caverns is a nearby sightseeing option.

What makes SOTO different from a typical fitness retreat is the scale and the setting. It is a 435-acre property with a creek and forest, and it can host groups of up to 400, so it suits large youth camps and family reunions as well as smaller corporate team-building groups. The centre was voted by Arkansas Money & Politics magazine as one of the best places for team building and corporate retreats in Arkansas.

There is no fixed daily schedule published. Groups typically build their own programme from the available activities, and the camp provides the facilities and meals. If you are looking for a structured fitness retreat with set class times, this is not that. If you want a large outdoor space where your group can hike, swim, tube the creek, play sports and eat together, this is a good fit.

What's included

- Accommodation in log-cabin-style lodges - Access to 435 acres of forest and hiking trails - Use of spring-fed creek for swimming, fishing, snorkeling - River tubing (tubes provided) - Sports facilities: sand volleyball, basketball, frisbee golf - High ropes course, cliffhanger, paintball (may require booking) - Horseback riding (may require booking) - Canoeing on the Buffalo River (may require booking) - Meals can be arranged (contact camp)

What's not included

- Travel to and from the camp - Personal expenses - Snorkeling gear (bring your own) - Some activities may have an additional cost (confirm with camp) - Travel insurance