WHO:
For all GC Youth in 6th-12th grades
Friends outside GC Youth are welcome to join us as long as they are willing to agree to the Participant Covenant (see bottom section).
WHEN:
Friday, November 1 - Sunday, November 3
• Departure: Meet at Grace Chapel at 5:30 PM on Friday, 11/1 (dinner is provided at GC after Check-in).
• Return: We'll be back at GC by 2:30 PM, on Sunday, 11/3.
WHERE:
Ocoee Retreat Center, in Ocoee, TN - about 2 hour drive from Grace Chapel
WHAT:
A weekend of fun and spiritual growth with great friends!
What you can expect:
✴️ Plenty free time to play and hangout together
✴️ Lots of laughs while creating and watching team skits
✴️ Exciting activities for two hours on Saturday afternoon:
Middle Schoolers can choose to do the High Ropes Challenge Course, with breathtaking 1000-foot zip line, a 50-foot climbing wall and giant swing soaring 80 feet into the sky.
High Schoolers can choose to play Paintball on the three-acre paintball field while navigating trees, barriers, forts, and a creek that runs through the middle of the course (all equipment is included - dress appropriately for the battle!).
These are optional activities, and they require additional cost - choose the appropriate ticket according to whether or not you will be doing the optional activity.
✴️ Meaningful conversations with Small Groups of same age & gender and caring adult leaders
✴️ Safe atmosphere to strengthen relationships with God and with friends...without any phones or personal devices to distract us (see Participant Covenant below).
✴️ Quality time to practice habits of Jesus - prayer, listening, silence, solitude, meditating, reading Scripture, journaling, etc.
WHY:
To get away from many of the distractions of normal life in order to focus on spiritual formation and fun with great friends!
HOW to register:
1️⃣ Read and understand the Participant Covenant and Disciplinary Action Plan (see below)
2️⃣ Complete the online registration form
3️⃣ Pay online, OR place cash or check (written to Grace Chapel Church) in a marked envelope and drop in one of the Gifts & Offerings boxes hanging in the GC Lobby.
Notes on payment:
• EARLY Registration cost: If you register by Saturday, September 28, the cost is $160 WITH the optional Saturday activity, OR $135 if opting out of the activity. The cost will go up $20 for each ticket for anyone who registers after that date.
• The cost includes transportation on a rented large capacity bus OR in a vehicle of an adult leader, lodging in bunkhouses, 6 meals (Friday dinner - Sunday lunch), and snacks throughout the weekend. No additional money will be needed at Fall Retreat.
• Families provide clothes, toiletries, bedding and a Bible.
• We do not want the cost of this event to prevent any Youth from participating, so we are happy to work with your family to come up with a way to assist you however you need, whether by scheduling a payment plan, deferring payment, subsidizing your payment, or even covering the entire fee in some cases – we have several folks at GC who have generously offered to provide financial assistance when Youth & Families need it to participate. Let us help! Simply reach out to Rocky to talk about it.
PARTICIPANT COVENANT
• I will show respect for others by how I talk and act - including avoiding hurtful speech and unwanted or inappropriate touch.
• I will dress in a modest way so that inappropriate attention is not drawn to myself.
• I will stay with the group and honor the 3-or-more rule (be in groups of three or more people at all times) - if I need to separate from the group for any reason, I will notify an adult leader.
• I will not bring any personal electronic devices - phones, tablets, game systems, smart watches, etc. If I need to contact someone who is not at the event, I will ask my Small Group Leader.
• I will NOT bring weapons of any kind (e.g., airsoft guns, fireworks, pocket knives, etc.) that could be used to harm anyone or any property.
• I understand that harmful pranks as well as illegal substances and behaviors will NOT be tolerated.
DISCIPLINARY ACTION PLAN
3 Steps when acting outside the Fall Retreat Participant Covenant guidelines:
Step #1: Initial breaking of the covenant will result in the Participant having a conversation with an Adult Leader.
Step #2: Continued disobedience will result in the Participant and Adult Leader(s) making contact with Parents/Guardians to have a conversation.
Step #3: Consistent disregard of the covenant guidelines will result in the participant going home. In this case, it is the responsibility of the parents/guardians to provide a way home for the participant. Participation in future GC Youth events will be discussed with parents/guardians and GC leaders as soon as possible after returning from this event.
Any illegal activity, possession/use of drugs, alcohol, or weapons, sexual activity, or relentless disrespect for authority will be cause for immediate dismissal. (Same as Step #3 above.)