Facilities | Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center | SIU

Plan your meeting, conference, retreat or special event at Touch of Nature. We are located eight miles southeast of Carbondale on Giant City Road, in the rolling hills of Southern Illinois on the shores of Little Grassy Lake.

Touch of Nature, with its outdoor spaces, indoor facilities, and lodging is capable of hosting several types of events including:

• Business and Board Meetings
• Conferences and Events
• Staff, Church and Family Retreats or Reunions
• Field Trips

Contact our staff at 618-453-1121 or by email at ton@siu.edu for more information. 

Freeberg Hall

Freeberg Hall is Touch of Nature's largest dining and meeting room. It’s adjacent to the Burke Lounge, the Friends Gazebo and a patio. Ideal for conferences and meetings, Freeberg and Burke Lounge can be rented together or separately. This space includes heating and AC, Wi-Fi and abundant parking.

• Room Dimensions:  38’ x 102’
• Maximum Standing Guests:  450
• Approx. Banquet Seating:  220
• Approx. Theater Seating:  400
• Approx. Classroom Seating:  185
• Approx. U-Shaped Seating:  100
• Rates

Burke Lounge

Burke Lounge is an activity and meeting room with vaulted ceilings, tiled floors and a large stone fireplace. It is adjacent to Freeberg Hall. This space includes heating and AC, Wi-Fi and abundant parking.

• Room Dimensions:  38’ x 28’
• Maximum Standing Guests:  150
• Approx. Banquet Seating:  75
• Approx. Theater Seating:  100
• Approx. Classroom Seating:  60
• Approx. U-Shaped Seating:  30
• Rates

The Friends Room

The Friends Room is located in Little Grassy Lodge. This beautiful room boasts a cathedral ceiling and wrap-around windows, provides an unobstructed view of wildlife, the surrounding woods and Little Grassy Lake. Various seating arrangements available to suit any event. This space includes heating and AC, Wi-Fi and abundant parking.

• Room Dimensions:  42’ x 50’
• Maximum Standing Guests:  300
• Approx. Banquet Seating:  190
• Approx. Theater Seating:  220
• Approx. Classroom Seating:  150
• Approx. U-Shaped Seating:  60
• Rates

River Radio Retreat

The River Radio Retreat is conveniently located by Little Grassy Lodge. This sandstone building has a large fireplace and provides the perfect setting for any meeting, seminar or get-together. This space includes heating and AC, Wi-Fi and abundant parking.

• Room Dimensions:  30’ x 40’
• Maximum Standing Guests:  180
• Approx. Banquet Seating:  80
• Approx. Theater Seating:  150
• Approx. Classroom Seating:  75
• Approx. U-Shaped Seating:  30
• Rates

Schafermeyer Hall

Schafermeyer Hall is a dining facility and activity room. It has vaulted ceilings, a fireplace and tile floors. This space includes heating, Wi-Fi and abundant parking.

• Room Dimensions:  92’ x 26’
• Maximum Standing Guests:  300
• Approx. Banquet Seating:  150
• Approx. Theater Seating:  250
• Approx. Classroom Seating:  150
• Approx. U-Shaped Seating:  60
• Rates

Outdoor Facilities

Touch of Nature Environmental Center has two amphitheaters and several pavilions located throughout the grounds. Our amphitheater overlooking Little Grassy Lake is the perfect location for receptions and outdoor performances.

• Capacity varies per location
• Rates