Our youth are full of deep thoughts and have some very insightful things to say about their faith. Sometimes, though, it can be a stretch to get them to realize and articulate just what is swimming through their brain. This retreat is designed to do just that as confirmands begin the process of writing their statements of faith and understanding the sacraments.
Crestfield offers a wonderful opportunity for confirmation classes to get away and engage with other confirmands around the area, to study, experience, grow and reflect. This retreat is designed to supplement your confirmation program and gives you the opportunity to come away with your group and focus on community and building relationships. We provide the speakers, the schedule, the lodging and the food!
Bring your confirmands, whether there is 1 or 31!
Retreat Logistics
For grades 7-9 (and we'll even take sixth graders if your confirmation class includes them!)
Pricing
Pick your lodging location: Cabins: $75/person (linens NOT provided) Main Lodge: $95/person (double & triple room, linens NOT provided) Scott Lodge: $105/person (3-5 people per
room, linens NOT provided)
To register your group, complete the Group
Registration Form and mail or fax to 724-794-1665.
Registration Deadline is March 9,
2012.
A 20% non-refundable deposit is due with registration
Leader Information
Please carefully read all the information. If there is any issue or concern not addressed, call Will for any additional information (724-794-4022).
Planning Arrival & Departure
Registration begins at 7:30 PM. We would like to begin group activities and introductions at 8:00 PM. Please plan to arrive on time so that all can be together from the start and get the retreat off to a wonderful start. The retreat will end with breakfast and closing worship on Sunday (about 11:00am).
Registration & Medical Waiver Form
As the group leader, you are responsible for collecting all money, registrations and health forms prior to the retreat.
Please have these forms completed and bring them with you to provide to us at registration. We will make a copy of your group’s forms and give you back the originals.
One adult leader should report to the office to register. Bring 1 check, if possible, made payable to Pittsburgh Presbytery. Also, bring a roster of youth and leaders and a signed health form for each member of your group. You will be given a packet with the schedule and activities, devotions and other important information. You will be directed to your lodging to get settled. Mixers begin at 8:00 PM in the Rec Hall.
Group Leaders/Chaperone Responsibilities
All chaperones are responsible for making sure youth follow the schedule and are not off on their own. Chaperones are expected to participate in the activities of the weekend and lead the small group and cabin times for your own group. Guidelines and sample questions will be available when you arrive. Your most important role is to interact with and spend time getting to know your youth and where they are in their faith journey.
Lodging
All lodging locations will have your group’s lodging location marked on the doors.
If your group is staying in Scott Lodge, we will issue one key per room. We will issue the card to the room chaperone. To keep costs low, linens are no longer provided for rooms in Scott Lodge.
If your group is staying in the Main Lodge, there are no keys for the rooms. There is a women’s and a men’s room at the end of the hall. Linens are not provided in the Main Lodge
The Cabin area is divided into two separate areas for men and women. A warm, centralized bath house in each area serves the cabins for bathing facilities. There are three cabins on each side with 2 rooms, 6 bunks in each room. Your group may be housed with another church group. If you would like your church group to not be housed with another group, please let Will know. The cabins are heated by space heaters, so be sure the doors are closed when entering and exiting the cabins to keep them warm! The expectation is that boys do not go to the girls' cabin side, and girls don’t go into the boys' cabin side.
Meals
Meals will be served in the Dining Hall. Breakfast is at 8:30 AM, lunch will be at 12:30 PM and dinner will be at 5:30 PM. There may be minor modifications to this. If so, we will let you know.
Snacks will be provided for the retreat, so you do not need to bring any snacks with you.
Outdoor Activities
You will be led in many outdoor challenge activities as leaders and youth participants. There may be an optional football game during free time, so be sure to bring warm clothes that can get dirty and wet and a large, sturdy plastic bag if you plan on taking them home. Also, plan on a change of clothes and shoes for after outdoor activities.
Cell Phones/Electronics
Please do not bring radios, iPods, cell phones, CD players, gameboys, knives or other weapons. In order for youth to experience retreat, we have a no cell phone or electronic policy for the campers. If your youth bring a cell phone or other electronics, we ask that you collect them upon arrival and if you would like, we will put them in a box for your youth group and lock them in an office. We will give them back when you are ready to leave.
Chaperones and Adult Leader Ratios
Unlike our summer program, this retreat is run Conference Style. This means that rather than registering as individuals (as you would for our summer camp programs), participants register as a church. Each church is responsible for providing their own chaperones. We ask that you have at least one adult advisor per eight youth of the same gender.
If you do need to "rent a chaperone" in order to have a male/female chaperone please contact Will DeLair. Typically the "rented chaperone" is a counselor from our summer program.
Please note: The role of the rented chaperone is strictly for sleep times so that children/youth are not left unattended in their lodging. During the daytime program hours the rented chaperone will not be present with your group. A small fee is included for the service.
Healthcare
Participant healthcare is the responsibility of the chaperones. There MAY be a nurse for consultation but the expectation is that each group handles medications and first aid needs internally and independently within the group. Therefore, it is essential that they have a health form for each attendee.
Wow! That was a lot of (important) information. Thaks for reading it all. If any questions linger, please email Will DeLair or call 724-794-4022.
724.794.4022 :: 195 Taggart Rd :: Slippery Rock, PA 16057
Crestfield is called by God to partner with churches and communities to nurture all people in Christ through discipling, outreach,
sanctuary and hospitality so that they may participate more fully in what God is doing in the world.
