2011 Secondary Winter Retreat Details
Secondary Winter Retreat
OVERVIEW
Who: Secondary students and teachers, with involvement for parents
What: 4th annual Secondary Winter Retreat
When: January 11-13
2 p.m. Tuesday drop-off; 2 p.m. pick-up Thursday
Where: Bethelwoods Camp and Conference Center (www.bethelwoods.org)
10-12 minutes from LPA, between Rock Hill and York
LPA returns to Bethelwoods for the winter retreat, taking advantage of two particular Bethelwoods blessings: The ladies will enjoy a newly constructed residence cabin, and all will enjoy a different lodge that is twice as large as the previous one used -- with a larger fireplace and more modern kitchen.
Why: Build relationships through purposed fellowship and consider the rich truth of God’s Word. It’s a great way to launch the semester positively and to have some fun, while involving students and teachers, and celebrating opportunities for student input and leadership.
How: Faculty and staff chaperoned
See program details below
Register via e-mail to mailbox@LPA-SC.com by Thurs, Jan. 6
Complete a permission slip that will be sent to attendees
Meet at Bethelwoods – not at Lake Pointe.
Cost for the three days and two nights is $75.
Money is no object (please see below)
PROGRAM DETAILS
The program includes indoor and outdoor games and activities, special meals, and hours of time for people to hang out and connect in the warmth of the fireplace at the large lodge.
Popular speaker Christian Chapman, proposed and invited by student Justin Reynolds, will be the kick-off speaker for the event, challenging us all to live with passion. To see the eight-minute video that Justin showed in Connection, visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yG6OP93YgCs
As part of the “equipping” portion of LPA’s mission, students will also be led through exercises to better identify and understand talents, gifts, and personalities – in themselves and in others.
DETAILS AND FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHY A STUDENT RETREAT?
On the surface, pulling away from the school for some student community time may not seem a direct benefit to the academic program. What we and other schools have found, however, is that building relationships among students (and teachers) outside the classroom provides a tremendously positive impact. Having a more cohesive student body generates considerable student momentum for the academic program and in relationships with instructors. More importantly, since our mission is based upon the centrality of Jesus Christ in our studies, our relationships, and our lives, pulling away to consider the Lord’s calling and the truth of His Word -- together -- is a vital effort. This is an excellent opportunity for students to get closer to God and each other.
COSTS AND SUCH – DON’T LET MONEY BE A BARRIER.
Everything has a cost, but please do not let money -- or the lack of it -- keep you from coming.
We share the actual fees so parents know what the program costs the school. Steps such as going to nearby Bethelwoods to eliminate transportation costs and preparing our own meals have been taken to minimize fees. Activities like these are not covered by tuition, but have proven a valuable part of the overall educational plan. The Lord has been faithful to supply for the entire group the past four years. We expect incredible results.
The cost of the retreat is $75 per person; this includes two nights of heated modern cabins, use of the camp facilities, and rental of a private lodge for meeting, food, and activities.
- If you can pay the full rate, thank you.
- If you are blessed enough and feel led to pay for someone else who can’t, praise God! We love people infected with the spirit of generosity! This type of giving has helped cover costs the past few years.
- If you can’t pay but $1, or you can’t pay until later in the semester, please do come.
WHAT ARE THE OVERNIGHT ARRANGEMENTS?
Young men and ladies will be housed in separate cabins, chaperoned by LPA staff, retreat leaders, and parent volunteers. The ladies will enjoy the newly constructed “Providence Retreat Cabin,” which features four bedrooms, multiple bathrooms, and a large common area within one mega-cabin. The guys will stay in two retreat cabins down the hill, which feature similar accommodations.
WHAT ARE THE CABINS LIKE?
Each residential cabin reserved is a modern, heated unit with sleeping rooms, a living room, and multiple baths inside. For info and photos, visit the following:
Providence & retreat cabins: http://www.bethelwoods.org/index.php?p=facilities&n=lodging
Horton Lodge http://www.bethelwoods.org/index.php?p=facilities&n=meeting
PARENT INVOLVEMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Student planners included several strategic times during the retreat for parents to plug in to the festivities to experience what’s going on and enjoy fellowship. Parents are invited and encouraged to attend these. Siblings are welcome, too – under parents’ supervision. Details will be shared when the final program schedule is released next week.
PERMISSION SLIPS
Each student needs a parent permission/waiver form when he or she arrives. Copies will be e-mailed and posted on the school web site.
WHAT IF MY STUDENT ISN’T SURE ABOUT ATTENDING?
Sometimes, students -- especially new ones -- can be a little leery about overnight retreats and camps and so forth. Understandably, previous bad experiences may contribute to this, and some of us fall on the shy and reserved side. Based upon the program, the leadership, the student body, and past experience, we would encourage students to “take a risk” in a safe setting. It’s often outside the classroom where students discover sides of each other that form friendship bonds that carry over into the academic situations.
WHAT ABOUT COMING FOR PART OF THE RETREAT?
If a student’s situation prevents attendance for the entire retreat or the overnight stays, the student is welcome to attend major portions. A signed permission slip is still required. Planning for “partial attenders” can be tricky, especially with supervision, small groups, and meal counts. In light of these concerns and to have enough time for adequate inclusion, we ask that students come most of the day and to be clear in letting us know exactly when the student is attending. For oversight reasons, it is vital for adult leaders to know whenever the student arrives and departs the camp.
WHAT IF WE HAVE SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS?
Please contact the school at 803-631-5253 or via the general e-mail at Mailbox@LPA-SC.com
WHERE IS THE CAMP?
Bethelwoods is located about 10 minutes from LPA between Rock Hill and York off of Highway 161 (Celanese Road). From the spot where Mount Gallant crosses Highway 161, the camp is down two miles on the right. For GPS purposes: 922 West Mount Gallant Road, York SC 29745).
Directions from LPA – Go south on Hwy. 274, then RIGHT onto Mt. Gallant Road at the traffic light, passing Tirzah ARP church on your left. Pass through stop sign intersection of Paraham Road to the stop sign intersection of Hwy. 160. Proceed straight on Mt. Gallant Rd. two miles to camp entrance on the right. For a map, visit http://www.bethelwoods.org/index.php?p=about
Whether parents drop off or carpooling is involved, please go to Bethelwoods instead of to LPA.
WHAT ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF SNOW?
Oh, we wish. Four years ago, it did snow, and it was a wintry blast -- especially the snowmen and the football in the white stuff. This year, our snow may have come early. We’ll have to see.
WHY ARE ELECTRONIC AND COMMUNICATION DEVICES LIMITED?
The focus is upon building relationships with peers/faculty and with the Lord Jesus. So much of modern living pulls away from those purposes -- more proof that we have an enemy. The very name “retreat” carries the meaning of “pulling back” away from the action to regroup.
The temptation to carry on phone, text, and internet relationships with those outside the retreat will damage the opportunities to relate to others right in front of them. Students are convinced they will “die” if they don’t have cell phones, MP3 players, video games, and internet access. Interestingly, less than 20 years ago, these devices didn’t exist, and now our use can be borderline addiction. Parting with these items for 48 hours is a trade-off for boosted relationship opportunities -- and a great way to prove life won’t end.
WHAT IF THERE IS AN EMERGENCY?
Emergency numbers will be provided at drop off.
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