Join us!
Men of all ages are welcome to join us for a weekend of brotherly fellowship & spiritual renewal. We will be challenging each other to be the men God has called us to be. Bring your sons!
Activities will include:
Camping, clay shooting, hiking, basketball, soccer, cornhole, worship services, campfires, capture-the-flag, and much more!
We are looking forward to a great weekend together!
Payment:
The cost is $90 per adult, $75 for teens and $55 for children 14 and under. Scholarships are available for teens who attend youth on Wednesdays from the Dave Spence Scholarship Fund. Early-Bird Special is live until Feb 6th ($15 off). You can pay in-person, or through this sign-up. Final payment is due March 1st.
T-Shirts:
Every registered attendee will receive a quality Men's Retreat shirt. The deadline to register and receive a shirt is February 26th.
Housing Options
We want to be clear that the purpose of this retreat is to get away from everything for a time of Christian fellowship, fun and rededication to the Lord. The beauty of this location in part is its remote nature. You will see more stars at night then you have seen in a long time. There is plenty of room on this property to set up a tent as far from the rest of our group as you would like, or you can setup near the kitchen and be first in line for breakfast. There is access to hot showers, and the restrooms are port-a-john style. There are several port-a-johns located throughout the property. There is plenty of privacy, but the accommodations are primitive.
Bring a tent:
Our recommendation is to bring a tent - most of us will be in tents. This is your chance to pull out that tent that you've been itching to try out! As stated above, there is plenty of room on this property, including several secluded campsites. You are welcome to setup right near the gathering area, or at the furthest corner of the property. You could even bring a hammock or sleep under the stars if you would like that, but you should have a contingency plan in case of inclement weather.
Primitive Cabins (Space Limited):
If you went to men's retreat last year, you know that the cabins are primitive. They have walls, a roof, electricity and an air conditioner. There are a few cabins that will be reserved for those with medical needs or for our guest speaker. There are mattresses in most of the cabins, and beds in some of them. You are welcome to bring a cot or air mattress to use in the cabin.
RV's:
There is also plenty of space for RV's; however, there are very few electrical and water hookups for RV's. These will be assigned on a first come, first served basis. If you plan to bring an RV that hooks up, plan to also bring electrical and hose extensions since the hookups are further than most RV's can reach with their stock connectors.
Sharing:
Several years a few guys from different households stayed together in RV's or Tents. If you plan to stay in an RV or Tent that someone else is bringing, please select the RV or Tent option.
Weather:
If poor weather is an issue, There are pole barns and several pavilions that we can set up tents under, should the need arise.
Here are some things you can do to prepare:
PRAY
Pray that God would give us good weather, safety, open hearts, and for His presence to be evident among us!
Pray for your brothers in Christ, the staff and pastors as we prepare.
Pray that God would use this time for you personally to grow closer to Him.
Pray for this year's speaker, Pastor Nicholas Adams as he travels to be with us and prepares to bring us the Word.
PLAN
The location we are heading to is at the end of a long sandy road. Please do not plan to drive there in a low-riding vehicle. One year we had a couple folks get stuck on the driveway. While it was an adventure getting people out, we would prefer to avoid that if possible. If you don't have access to anything but a low-riding vehicle, please let us know so that we can get you a ride with someone.
Bring everything you will need:
Your Bible
A tent and/or bedding (pillows, blankets, sleeping bags, air mattresses) depending on what housing option you plan to use.
Power strips and/or extension cords as outlets are limited
Any snacks you would like to have in addition to the meals provided.
Bug spray and Sunscreen.
Comfortable clothing for each day (including closed-toed shoes - snakes have been seen on the property)
There are no laundry facilities available.
Toiletries, shower shoes (flip-flops or crocs) and Towels (hot showers are available in shower houses on the property).
A flashlight
Anything you would normally bring to go camping (a pocket knife, etc.)
A few words about our gun-related activities:
1. We encourage you to educate yourself and others in your group on the fundamentals of gun safety. You can find a helpful video here and some other helpful material here.
2. Shooting is just a small part of what we are doing at the retreat and is optional. We are planning to have a safe and enjoyable time.
3. We are asking, for safety reasons, that any guns you bring to be used for recreational shooting be kept unloaded and put away except in designated places and times. We will make those times and places clear during the course of the weekend. We will setup up those designated places when we go out there early and shooters will be directed to fire in a specific direction (away from others and the camp). The primary time we will be shooting is on Saturday afternoon.
4. If you have ear and eye protection, please bring it. We will have some available, but it will be helpful if you bring your own.
5. You may bring other guns to shoot recreationally, but please be aware that we are doing so under the direction of the camp director, Don Bailey, who has the absolute authority to disallow any of these activities. We will set up another specific place and time for shooting anything other than a shotgun. Once again, these guns must remain unloaded and put away except in the place and time designated.
6. Steve Pauls has agreed to be our Range Master this year. Do not discharge a weapon on the property without his prior knowledge and consent. He will be supervising all gun-related activities.
I'm sure our group contains both seasoned marksmen and those who may have never fired a gun. Our top priority will be safety. Let's be sure that whatever shooting we do, it is both a safe and an enjoyable experience for everyone involved.
DIRECTIONS
PLEASE DO NOT BE CONFUSED - We are NOT going to Hobe Sound, FL. The Men's Retreat is in Ft. Drum, FL off of the Yeehaw Junction exit of the FL turnpike.
PAYMENT
Payments are due by March 1st, one week prior to the retreat. Please do your best to pay as soon as you can.
Thank you for registering!