Middle School Retreat

RETREAT LEADER INFORMATION

Please carefully read all the information.  If there is any issue or concern not addressed, call Becky for any additional information (724-794-4022).

Group Information

Planning Arrival & Departure

Registration begins at 7:30 PM.  The program begins 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 closing worship and lunch at noon on Sunday. Your group should be ready to depart by 1:00 on Sunday

Registration & Medical Waiver Form

As the group leader, you are responsible for collecting all money, registrations and medical waiver forms prior to the retreat.  Be sure to download the two medical waiver forms – one for the youth and one for the adults attending 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. Also on our website is the waiver form required by Slippery Rock University for our trip there on Saturday night. Please bring one for your group signed by parents/guardians for each person under 18 in your group.

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 medical waiver form for each youth (under 18).  You will be directed to your lodging to get settled. Mixers begin at 8:00 PM in the Rec Hall.  Make sure your group reports to the first activity on time.  You will be given a packet with the schedule and activities, small group questions and small group meeting locations, and other important information. 

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.  The speaker will provide discussion questions.  Guidelines and sample questions will be available when you arrive. Your most important role is to spend time getting to know your youth and where they are in their faith journey.

Lodging

If your group is staying in Scott Lodge, we will issue one key per room.  We will issue the card to the room chaperone.  All linens are provided for rooms in Scott Lodge.

If you are staying in the Main Lodge, you will need to bring sleeping bags/sheets and towels. Linens can be provided for an additional fee. The Main Lodge rooms are located above the Dining Hall and are dormitory style with community bathrooms at the end of the hall.

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.

It is important to remember that boys are blue and girls are pink, and we do not want any purpling!  Therefore, boys don’t go in the girls rooms or on the girls cabin side, and girls don’t go into the boys rooms or on 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 5:00 PM. Sunday lunch is at noon.

Activities & Leader Participation

Leaders and youth will have an opportunity to participate in outdoor activities.  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 playing.

We will be going to Slippery Rock University's Recreation Center on Saturday evening. Activities there include swimming, wall climbing and court activities. Be sure to bring tennis shoes and suits and towels for an evening of fun!

Camp Store

We will do have a Crestfield Camp Store with various items (shirts, hats, sweatshirts, etc.) Let your youth know to bring additional money in case they want to purchase something.

Cell Phones/Electronics

Please do not bring radios, iPods, cell phones, CD players, gameboys, knives, candy, chewing gum, or other “junk food”.  If you do bring these items, they will be held for you until the end of camp.  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 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. 

We will see you soon!  If you need any additional information, please call or email Becky Little at Crestfield (724-794-4022; becky@crestfield.net)