Since 2002, the South Georgia Conference has sponsored an annual Confirmation Retreat at Epworth By The Sea for students in the fifth grade and above. This event provides churches of all sizes an opportunity to connect with others through worship, study, and fellowship.
Registration will open December 1, 2023 for South Georgia UMC churches first. Registration for all other churches will be open January 1, 2024 and all are welcome! Deadline is February 20, 2024.
The cost for South Georgia Conference UMC participants is $165 per person (supplemented cost) and includes cabin lodging, meals, programming, insurance and a t-shirt. Registration fee for Out of Conference church participants is $185 per person (full cost).
How it works: Payment is required at time of registration in order to be complete. Registrations received without payment will be considered PENDING and payment must be received within 7 days or registration will be dropped. Space will be limited to 500 participants. Online payment is preferred; however, mailed church checks only (no personal checks) are acceptable. Make payable to "South GA Conference UMC" and mail to Confirmation Retreat, PO Box 7227, Macon, GA 31209. (Please specify that the money is for Confirmation Retreat registration).
Church leaders: Click here (link opens when registration opens) if you need a helpful form to hand out to gather your student's and chaperone's information. This is not a registration form. Only online group registration is accepted.
Refund Policy: Cancellation PRIOR to the deadline = Total refund less $50.00 (non-refundable deposit). Cancellation AFTER the deadline = No refund. Cancellation due to illness prior to retreat = Total refund less $50.00. Fees may be transferred to a NEW REPLACEMENT camper of the same gender if the registrar is notified prior to the first day of the retreat.To make notice of cancellation or change, you must contact the Connectional Ministries office at (912) 638-8626 ext 107 and in writing to suzanne@sgaumc.com.
Three Simple Rules - Entering this "Escape Room", confirmands will have the opportunity to solve clues and find out the mystery behind John Wesley's 3 Simple Rules. Confirmands will explore what it means to do no harm, to do good, and to stay in love with God in an interactive, fun atmosphere.
Going on a Journey - This workshop will have confirmands "traveling" through stations to learn about things they will need on their journey of faith. Confirmands will learn what it means to have a personal relationship with Jesus, how to grow in that relationship, and why it is important to serve others because of that relationship.
Adult chaperones are provided by each church group attending. A 1:6 chaperone/camper ratio is required and both genders must be represented in chaperones if represented with campers. The Confirmation Retreat is a Safe Sanctuaries compliant event and all adult chaperones must be certified. Please include the following Safe Sanctuaries form with registrations. Only one form per group is needed. Click here to download the Safe Sanctuaries form.
Participants at the Confirmation Retreat will be sleeping in the cabins at Epworth By The Sea. All beds are twin size. Participants will need to bring their own bed linens and towels (see a recommended list of What to Pack). In most cases, multiple church groups will be assigned to each cabin. A menu will be included here the week of the event.
Adult Leader Q&A Info Zoom will be held Thursday, February 23rd at noon. Information will be sent to registered leaders the week of February 20th.
WHAT YOU'LL FIND IN YOUR CHURCH PACKET AT CHECK-IN
Adult Leader Guide: Everything you want to know about the schedule, Holy clubs, free time and leadership for the event!
*Subject to change
Friday, March 1
| 5:30-7:00 | Check in (Camp & Retreat Office) |
| 5:30-7:00 | Supper line open (Epworth Dining Hall) |
| 7:30 | Adult Orientation (Tabby House) |
| 8:00 | Opening Worship (Strickland Auditorium) |
| 9:15 | Holy Clubs |
| 10:30 | In Cabins / Lights Out |
Saturday, March 2
| 7:15-8:30 | Breakfast Line Open |
| 8:45 | Worship (Strickland Auditorium) |
| 10:00 | Workshop #1 |
| 11:15 | Workshop #2 |
| 12:15 | Cookout under the Oaks |
| 1:00-4:00 | Free Time |
| 4:30 | TBD |
| 5:30-6:45 | Supper Line Open (Dining Hall) |
| 7:00 | Worship (Strickland) |
| 8:00 | Holy Clubs |
| 9:15 | The Amazing (G)Race |
| 10:30 | In Cabins / Lights Out |
Sunday, March 3
| 7:15-8:45 | Breakfast line open |
| 8:30-9:45 | Mission Spotlight (Brown) – 2 groups |
| Churches A-M 8:30-9:05 | |
| Churches N-Z 9:10-9:45 | |
| 10:00 | Closing Worship & Communion (Strickland) |
| 11:15 | Lunch & Depart |
For more information, please contact Suzanne Akins, Director of Camping & Retreats at suzanne@sgaumc.com or (912) 638-8626 ext 107.