Middle School Summer Retreat 2015 Information Packet
Last year at the Middle School Summer Retreat... 36 students attended 6 students and 5 families made the decision to follow Jesus From the retreat, students were even counselled and came back with a better understanding of their faith, dealing with past pains, and a hope for their future. studentlife Middle School Summer Retreat......a lot can happen in a week. So get ready. As the school year comes to an end, middle school students find themselves asking a question... What is a real faith? Some may take it another step further... What is my faith? At the 2015 Middle School Summer Retreat (or just Summer Retreat, MSSR15), we want to help your students find that answer and the answer to two more important questions: How does God see me? and How will I live for God? The studentlife Middle School Summer Retreat is a week-long camp-style experience. Students will have the opportunity to have fun by building friendships and making memories. There s something about getting away and retreating for a week to have real conversations in Life Groups, get crazy during Large Group Activities, learn life-changing lessons in Break Outs, and be immersed into great Main Sessions. Our hope for your student, most importantly, is to grow in their faith as they grow closer to God, other students, their leaders, and the Church. This Year at the Middle School Summer Retreat... 60 students, 6 campuses, and we re praying for a lot of changed lives. This Information Packet has everything from the where and when, to the how and what. This is everything you need including a packing list and expectations for students, along with other crucial information. By understanding this packet and being informed about what to expect from this Summer Retreat, as Leaders, Students, and Parents, we can ensure a safe and impactful experience for all. 1
What s Going On? an outline Sunday, July 26 Traveling to Lake Aurora in Lake Wales, arrival BY 4:00pm 2 Mock Schedule 8:00 Personal Devotion 8:30 Breakfast 9:45 Chapel 10:45 Period 2 11:45 Period 3 12:45 Lunch 2:00 Period 4 3:00 Period 5 4:00 Period 6 5:00 Period 7 6:30 Dinner 7:45 Evening Activity 8:30 Canteen 9:00 Campfire 10:00 Lights out Friday, July 31 Pick-up at Lake Aurora in Lake Wales, pick-up BY 4:00pm Where is it? locations Lake Aurora Christian Camp 237 Golden Bough Rd Lake Wales, FL 33898 Lodging? Roommates and Room Assignments Each Student may sign-up for their cabins once they arrive at Lake Aurora. All cabins will have two Life Group Leaders (Camp Counselors) with 9-11 students to each cabin side, each cabins has two sides.
studentlife Staff Leaders Justin Landrum studentlife Pastor Point of Contact for Students (352) 225-5442 George Lin (718) 514-3866 Point of Contact for Leaders and Parents Clermont studentlife Director Andy Funes (407) 760-3210 East Orlando Outreach Director and studentlife Coordinator Amos Smith (386) 383-6490 Hunter s Creek studentlife Coordinator Program Justin Landrum s number and at least one other staff leader s number in your phone.right now. studentlife Group Leaders Asbel LLerena (407) 729-3996 Jacki McAnally (256) 542-8958 Matthew Kitchin (407) 973-6282 Cody Pick (321) 363-2409 Adam Rodriguez (407) 490-6979 Aaron Stratton (352) 989-7653 Grace Tripp (321) 948-5209 Asbel LLerena (407) 729-3996 3
Student Expectations 1. Be Respectful. Respect others and yourself. Respect the Leaders, any and all of them. Your Leaders are there for you, your growth, and your safety. 2. Be Responsible. Be where you are supposed to be when you are supposed to be there doing what you re supposed to be doing. Be responsible for yourself, your faith, and even your stuff. 3. Be Present. Try to focus on the here and now. You re here for the experience and to grow. 4. No guys in girl s rooms and no girls in guy s rooms. 5. Alcohol, tobacco, fireworks, drugs, and weapons are absolutely prohibited. You will be sent home. 6. Everyone must be in his/her room by the designated In Room Time and you must stay in your room. 7. During sessions, stay in the session, and stay with the group, no exceptions. You are expected to be at every session, if you re not, you re missing out. 8. No TP, water balloons, shaving cream, Midnight Wake Ups, etc. No practical jokes or pranks! 9. Do not damage furniture or rooms, as you will be charged for any assessed damage. 10. Students must let their designated leader know where they are at all times. 4 11. Follow the dress code guidelines. 12. Check-Out: clean up the cabins. We will be cleaning up the cabins, so be prepared, they will be checked. 13. 3 person buddy system. Cell Phone Policy -Cell phones are not allowed, we want you to be focused and present. -Leaders will be able to be reached at all times. -Leaders reserve the right to take your phone at any point they feel you are being distracted or distracting. If you re on your phone, you may be missing out on something awesome. From Lake Aurora: Leave those cell phones at home!!! When your children come to camp, we do our best to eliminate all of the outside distractions that would keep your child from having a strong spiritual experience. Part of the value of coming to camp is the separation from family and friends. If a child really wants to call home, he/she will be allowed to do so with the Program Director's help. Cell phones are not allowed at Lake Aurora for campers. Please do not send one with your child and instruct them to "keep it hidden" so it won't be taken. This is wrong for several reasons: first, it is against camp rules and secondly, it requires your child to be dishonest with us by hiding the phone, just in case they need to call home.
Parent Expectations 1. Pray. For students, leaders, the experience, and for God to do what He does. 2. Prepare your students 3. Pack with your student and check to make sure they have everything and aren t bringing things they re not allwoed to have. 4. Contact a Staff member AND the Camp Nurse BEFORE checking in if your student has been sick before the next 5. Consider sending your students a care package and emails throughout the week to encourage them! Ban List things to leave at home... DO NOT Bring... - Tobacco, drugs, alcohol - Weapons (no pocket knives, swiss army knives, or any other type of weapon) - Fireworks - Water Balloons - Skateboards, roller skates, roller blades, long boards, scooters 5 - Just ask...wwjd. Dress Code Guys - No A T s - No skin-tight Under Armour-like clothes - No Clothing with questionable sayings or slogans. Clothing with alcohol, cigarettes, and other inappropriate items are not allowed. - No Speedos (I mean...come on.) Girls - Spaghetti strap top, halter tops, tube tops, or tank tops - Short shorts or skirts (fingertip rule- must be longer than hands at your sides) - skin-tight leggings, yoga pants, Under Armour-like clothes (if you wear leggings you must wear a shirt, shorts, or have something that covers your hiney)
Financial money stuffs Retreat Cost Includes: -Camp -Lodging for the entire week -Food while at the ccamp $277 (after $100 Real Life Discount) Total Cost Please check your balance with Lake Aurora. Does NOT Include: -Souvenirs -Canteen -snacks -drinks -small items Financial Responsibility Students are responsibile for their spending money. You know how much you need and how much you have. Leaders are not responsible for checking balances on their canteen cards. 6 Canteen For returning campers, the "Canteen Card" and "Bank" are now one account - the "Canteen/Store Card" which is the camper's " Spending Money Account". Each Camper will have a "Canteen/Store Card" for their purchases and offerings at camp. Each camper automatically has $5 in their account from registration. Additional deposits can be made to the account online or in a "canteen" envelope at check in day. The average amount of spending money we suggest is approximately $30-$35 based on the length of the program. At the end of the program, unused funds greater than $10 may be requested for return on closing day. A staff member wil be outside the T-Shirt Shoppe on the Lakeside campus. Remaining funds less than $10 are automatically donated to the specific mission of the week. The "Canteen/Store Card" can be used for Canteen snack items, T-shirt Shoppe, camp photo, leather crafts and mission offering. If not depositing funds for the Spending Money Account online, please complete a Canteen Envelope at check in depositing it at the Housing Assignment venue. Please remember to include mission giving in your spending plan. Each program emphasizes a different mission and often has a missionary on staff relating their experiences. There are a wide variety of snack items in the Canteen. Each camper may purchase two items at canteen which is open twice a day. The most they can spend at any one time is about $1.50-$2.50. There is a T-shirt Shoppe with Lake Aurora stuffed animals, jewelry and clothing. Items range from 50 cents to $38. Leather crafts is optional and ranges from 50 cents to $4. Mission offering is encouraged and emphasized at each program. Please be sure your child knows what amount of money they have in their "Camper Spending Money Account" at the camp. You may add additional funds to this account while your child is at camp through your online account. If you did not register online, contact the camp office to receive log in and password information to access your online account to check the balance of your child's account.
Packing List bring... 1 Luggage Bag of Reasonable Size, and one small backpack (think string backpack), 2 bags total Must have a very visible and legible Bag Tag. BRING... - a good attitude and desire to grow in your faith and in your relationship with God. - a Bible - this packet...just in case. - a notebook and pen/pencil - Full Clothing Outfits for 8 days (not including swimming apparel) - APPROPRIATE swim apparel (one-piece for GIRLS, tankinis, or must have a dark t-shirt to wear and full bottoms) - Toiletry items - soap/scrub - shampoo and conditioner - Deodorant! - toothbrush and tooth paste - At least 2 Towels - Bedding/sleeping bag to fit a twin bed - a Pillow - a Camera*** - Athletic Equipment*** - Running/Active Shoes - a small String Backpack - Feminine Products - Medicine (see note) - Watershoes - Sunscreen - Insect Repellent - SMALL Flashlight - WATER BOTTLE (***optional) Pack in a separate bag (large backpack or small duffel size)... - 1 Towel - 3 Outfits (out of a total of 8, one for a messy game) and swim apparel - Toiletries - Medicine - Plastic Grocery Bag - Pillow - Bedding/sleeping bag to fit a twin bed Medicine and Medical Information... If you need to send medicines with your child to camp, do not place them in his/her suitcase. All medicines (prescription or over-the-counter) must be given to the nurse in their original containers with instructions at check in. Please, all medicines must be identified in their original containers. If your child has an inhaler, they can keep it with them but the camp nurse should be notified that it is in their possession. Medicines are returned to your camper on the last day as they pack their bags. The Infirmary stocks standard comfort over-the-counter medicines. There is no need to send Tylenol, Advil, Tums, etc with your camper. Pack Together... We recommend packing the suitcase with your student so they know what is in there and where to find it. The "favorite clothes" should go to camp. They will make it home if he or she likes them. Make sure you label everything with your child's name. Include a plastic bag or something similar for dirty laundry and explain what it is for. Make sure it has a label on it as well. Black plastic bags look a lot like trash. 7
Connect social media and text announcements Social Media Instagram @rlstudentlife Twitter @rlstudentlife Facebook www.facebook.com/rlstudentlife...or just search rlstudentlife and look for the studentlife 8 Tag your posts and search for... #mssr15 Text Announcements for Parents Text @mssr15fam to this number 81010
Right Now... last minute things Balance and Payment Please check your balance with Lake Aurora. If you have a payment plan or need one, please contact George. 9