GMU’s Point of View facility on Mason Neck looking to expand
Nestled in a secluded, peaceful setting on Belmont Bay—just a few miles off Richmond Highway on the Mason Neck peninsula—sits a facility designed for contemplation and constructive dialogue. The self-described “civilian Camp David” hosts everything from peacebuilding groups discussing racial justice, to graduate students doing doctoral research, corporate teams conducting team building or strategic planning sessions, and local homeowners’ associations holding monthly meetings. And the hidden gem presently is raising funds to build on-site lodging for overnight guests.
The Point of View International Retreat and Research Center, owned by George Mason University’s School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution (S-CAR), opened two years ago on 120 acres of land donated to the school by the family of former Virginia Delegate Edwin Lynch, a real estate developer and early supporter of S-CAR. While part of the building largely is used by GMU faculty, staff and students for experiential learning and events—two post-doctoral fellows actually live in the former caretaker’s on-site cottage—the rest of the just under 10,000 square-foot facility is available for hourly or daily rental of specific rooms (one large conference room and two breakout rooms), outdoor spaces or the full site. Point of View also offers extra services to guests, including facilitation of workshops, retreats or conflict resolution meetings; catering; arrangement of off-site accommodations or transportation; and equipment rental.
Maria Seniw, director of development for S-CAR, said there typically are groups using Point of View at least two to three times per week. This summer, the facility will host the second of a three-part series on “Healing Wounds of the Civil War,” tackling sensitive domestic issues like race relations, restorative justice and school name changes. One day, Point of View leaders hope to host an international summit, Seniw added.
“One thing about conflict resolution is that a lot of the work is incremental and doesn’t always involve the biggest names until the last step,” she said.
To help boost the chances of securing high-profile events and to provide added convenience to visitors from out-of-town, GMU is raising $5 million to build three cottages at Point of View—one with three bedrooms and two with 12 bedrooms respectively. The bedrooms will have kitchenettes and shared living room spaces, though guests can still use the communal kitchen and dining area at the center for bonding with others. The university plans to supplement the facility’s existing 52 parking spaces with additional spots for the new residences.
Besides learning and conducting discussions at the center, guests can bring equipment to go kayaking from the facility’s boat launch, fishing from the newly rebuilt dock, or simply enjoy the peaceful views of the bay and wildlife, including the site’s spectacular sunsets.
To schedule a visit to Point of View, contact pov@gmu.edu.
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