Youth Winter Retreat
was held December 30, 2011-January 1, 2012
SpringHill Camp, Evart, Michigan
The Church of God State Youth Winter Retreat will be here before we know it! The planning Task Force has begun praying for a snowy, fantastic New Year’s weekend- Dec. 30-Jan. 1. This will be our 38th annual Church of God Winter Retreat using the SpringHill Camp facilities in Evart, Michigan.
We’re thrilled to have as our speaker this year- Pastor Steve Van Fossen,from Schererville, Indiana.
Pastor Steve and his wife Marcey have 6 children whom Steve lovingly calls the modern day “Brady Bunch”. Steve is an Anderson University graduate who felt God calling him throughout High School, but wasn’t sure what He wanted. Today he ministers with the philosophy that every person is born with a desire and need of a Savior. His relationship with Him is real and meaningful, so he wants to present Him in a real and meaningful way too. When he has the time, Steve has lots of interests- especially his huge Stars Wars collection!
Our praise leaders for the weekend will be 
“Sanctified”. They are a Worship Band that began as a worship team in 2008. They each are students at Grace Bible College in Grand Rapids studying in the Worship Arts program. Their purpose is to create an atmosphere of worship where we can freely praise God for who He is & what He has done in our lives. Collectively they have played for several camp retreats, church services & have lead worship venues such as Rock the Coast. Individually they are involved in music through Church Worship Teams, jazz ensembles, & vocal groups.
Springhill’s housing, food & recreation opportunities are great! We will have use of their beautiful auditorium for services, swimming pool, gym, extreme sports area, huge tubing hill, & much more. We are hoping to have many churches join us for the first time this January. Each group must have adult chaperones for male & female youth (you determine the appropriate number).
An exciting opportunity:
Last year Springhill gave us the great opportunity to help college students or young adults of that age attend our weekend and also help YOU by adding chaperones at a great price. They are offering this plan to us again. I can have up to 12 young adults that are at least 18 years old come and only pay $60 per person instead of the $99. To get this reduced rate, they would be responsible for working with the students during Saturday afternoon activity time. They would be giving a total of 4-6 hours, which would include the training time Friday evening when they arrive. This is before our opening service. We had 8 take advantage of this opportunity last year and they enjoyed the experience. SO- the first 12 that let me know during registration get this chance! I would ask that the initial $49 be paid like everyone else & that the final payment of $11 would be paid at camp.
Saturday Afternoon Free Time:
These are the fees for free time activities that have a cost:
Horse back riding $10.00 for 1 hour slots
Cross country skiing rental $3.00 for 1 1/2 hrs.
Ice skate rental $1.00 for 1 1/2 hrs.
NEW: A $5.00 pass will allow all afternoon use of the climbing wall & giant’s ladder!
Paintball $10.00 + a fee for refills
Tubing, swimming, basketball, ping pong, air hockey, & broom hockey are free. The camp does have pop, candy, books, & shirts for sale their Trading Post.
Registration for the weekend will be from 7:00-8:00 PM on Friday & the retreat will conclude after lunch on Sunday. There will be one more letter with additional information about schedules, sports, & fun competitions sent to the churches that register.
Cost:
The cost is $99.00 per person- a great deal for 2 night’s lodging, 5 meals, New Year’s Eve pizza party, all programming & most of the recreation! A deposit of $49.00 per person is due by December 9. ($59 if after Dec. 9) The remainder of $50.00 per person is due upon arrival at camp. (Total cost for the weekend is $99 per person if registered before Dec. 9 & $109. if received after Dec. 9) No deposits can be refunded after December 21.
FRIDAY, December 30
7:00-8:00 Registration, getting settled in, game room open
Ticket purchase in dining hall
8:30 Getting acquainted, & weekend kick-off- auditorium
9:45 Counselors’ Meeting- Summit Room- by game room
9:45 Game room, gym open, tubing
11:45 In your room!
12:15 Lights out!
SATURDAY, December 31
8:30-9:30 Serving breakfast- dining hall (trading post is open noon- 6:00)
10:00-11:30 Singing & sharing with Pastor Steve & “Sanctified”- auditorium
11:30-12:30 Serving Lunch- dining hall & game room open
12:30-5:00 Activity time- horse riding, pool, skiing, contests, tubing,
gym, game room , paintball (trading post will be open too)
5:15-6:30 Serving supper- dining hall
7:15 Singing & sharing with Pastor Steve &” Sanctified”- auditorium,
Group sharing time & communion
9:45 Game room, gym open!
11:00-1:00 A.M. Tubing, Pool open, Pizza,
Midnight New Year’s Celebration- watch the ball drop & prayer-dining hall
1:15 A.M. In your Room!
1:30 A.M. Lights out & sleeping!
SUNDAY, January 1
8:45-9:30 Serving breakfast- dining hall (trading post isn’t open today)
9:30 Broomball Finals- Skating Rink
10:15- 11:45 Singing & sharing with Pastor Steve & “Sanctified”- auditorium
12:00-1:00 Serving lunch- dining hall
Pack & clean up & say your good-byes!
Information about SpringHill Camp:
Just west of Evart, on the corner of 95th & Highway 10, there is a lighted SpringHill Camp sign (just after the Super 8) Turn north & go 2 miles. Turn left at the 2nd. camp sign. Go through the pines and proceed to the right. We will be holding registration in the dining hall.
Questions:
Contact Connie Graham,
Director of Youth Ministry for the
Church of God in Michigan;
(989) 835-9262; cmyersgraham@chartermi.net
Downloads:
Winter Retreat packet
Registration Form (Adobe PDF)
Poster