Friendly Crossways:

A Central Massachusetts Retreats Center & Conference Center

and Hostelling International Youth Hostel

Celebrating 62 years of unique retreat service!

Hostelers, Families & Individual Travelers: Please hotlink from here to our Massachusetts hostels home page

• What is Friendly Crossways Retreat Center?
• What We Have For You at our Massachusetts Retreats Center
• Directions to our Massachusetts Retreat Center
• Lots of Things to Do Around Here
• Massachusetts Retreat Center Rates & Registration Form for 2010
• Clients
• Menus and Meal Rates
• Photos Inside and Out
• Helpful Hints, including Floor Plan, for Massachusetts Retreats Organizers
• Yes, We do Weddings

   

  Availablity at our Massachusetts Retreat Center

   

  The charm of handmade quilts and homecooked meals are just a couple of the reasons why groups as diverse as those looking for spiritual retreat centers for mens work to people looking for a quilt or scrap book retreat center return to this New England Retreat and Conference Center in Massachusetts year after year.

  

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  What is Friendly Crossways?

  Situated in central Massachusetts apple country, this smoke-free hostel and unique New England retreat center has been a special place for spiritual retreats, nonprofit conferences, music seminars, peace and justice organizers and healing workshops since 1947.

  Friendly Crossways is conveniently located in the countryside, but near the intersection of Rte. 2 and Rte. 495 in the town of Harvard, only 26 miles northwest of Boston. Churches, peace and justice groups, health organizations and alternative healers, elementary and high schools, and other environmental, educational, artistic and nonprofit companies are just some of the groups who have benefited from our services, relaxing ambiance and reasonable rates. We also provide a unique space for outdoor weddings and receptions.

  A century-old barn and farm house have been renovated to accommodate up to 70 people in a combination of dormitories and private rooms. We have large and small meeting places, and a big kitchen; their use is included in our rates. Groups can make communal cooking part of their conference activities, or our chef can provide healthy, family-style meals.

  First licensed in 1947 by American Youth Hostels (now Hostelling International-USA), this hostel also provides inexpensive accommodations for individual travelers on a budget. We're in a peaceful, rural location with easy access to hiking, biking, skiing and canoeing.

  We're open throughout the year, and it's a beautiful place during all the seasons, even winter!

  Keith and Mary Helan are second-generation Massachusetts Retreat Center and Hostel managers, having taken over the reins from Mary Helan's parents, Martin and Anne Vesenka.

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What We Have for You:

• Large meeting spaces include the 24' x 48' dining hall with banquet seating for 72, with a fireplace; a 24' x 36' conference room furnished with comfortable couches and overstuffed chairs and a large television screen and dvd/video player. The conference room has wall-to-wall carpeting, making it perfect for yoga and body work groups.
• There are two, more intimate "breakout" rooms for smaller groups.
• The kitchen is fully equipped with two stoves, two ovens, two sinks, two refrigerators, commercial coffee maker, commercial dishwasher and pots, pans and diningware to serve 72. Day and overnight rates include use of the kitchen.
• The main dorm can sleep up to 25; a sleeping loft has 10 twin beds. There are 13 private and family bedrooms with one to four beds.
• Blankets, pillows and hand-made quilts are provided. Linens may be rented, or you can save money by bringing your own. (Sleeping bags are not allowed in hostels for health and sanitation reasons).
• The facility is situated on four acres of lawn with volleyball, softball and soccer set-ups, surrounded by 40 acres of forest, corn fields and organic gardens.
• There is ample parking on and near the facility.
• Wireless internet access for your laptop.
• We are wheel chair accessible.
• Firepit for summer months, fireplace in the dining hall in the winter.

  Organizers, please use the following links for:

• rates and reservations for 2010
• finding emergency numbers and a floor plan
• a chart for assigning roomates,
• cleaning expectations (for those groups doing their own cleaning) and
• house rules to share with your group.

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  Location, Location, Location

  We're conveniently located near the intersection of Rte. 2 and I-495 in the TOWN of Harvard, Massachusetts (25 miles from Harvard University). We're only 30 miles northwest of Boston, an hour from Logan Airport, and four hours from New York City.

  We're close to other airports as well: Manchester NH (55 minutes), Providence RI (1 hr. 15 minutes), Hartford CT (1.5 hr.)

  Once you're here you can drive 25 miles to Alewife MBTA subway station, park all day for $5, and take a 20-minute subway ride to Cambridge or Boston and avoid the hassle and expense of driving/parking in Boston.

  For More detailed directions from major highways, Logan airport and by train, please see Location & Directions page.

  Street Address: 247 Littleton County Road, Harvard MA 01451

  For links to other useful web sites, try U.S. City Directory

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  Photo by Kalen Hammann

  ROOM AVAILABILITY! We'd love to see you here, but find out if we have room first...

Friendly Crossways Youth Hostel & Conference Center

Mail: 247 Littleton County Road, Harvard MA 01451-1445

Tel.: (978) 456-9386

 

Email us at: info @ friendlycrossways.com (Remember to remove the extra spaces in the email address!)

 

Return to Top of Massachusetts Retreats Center Page

What We Have for Hostellers	What We Have For Groups
Location, Location, Location: Directions!	Conference Group Rates and Reservations
Hostel Rates	Outdoor Weddings & Celebrations
Other New England Hostels	Menus and Meal Rates for Groups
Lots of Things to Do Around Here	Our Clients
Pictures Inside and Out	House Rules and Fire Pit and Fire Place
Meet Your Hosts	Floor Plan and Organizer's Page

Go to Friendly Crossways Hostel Home

Aloha, you are the visitor to this page since 5 January 2005.

 

 

Last modified:Tuesday, 03-Aug-2010 22:17:40 EDT