22nd ANNUAL CONFIRMATION RETREAT

MARCH 3-5, 2023

EPWORTH BY THE SEA, ST. SIMONS ISLAND, GEORGIA

ABOUT

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 - OPEN

Registration will open December 1, 2022 for South Georgia UMC churches first. Registration for all other churches will be open January 1, 2023. Deadline is February 16, 2023.   

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). Click here to begin your church group's registration. (Note: registration link is the same for in-conference and out-of-conference churches)

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. After the event is full, registration will close and a waiting list will begin. 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 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.

WORKSHOPS

Connect FOR - Understanding and defining the words we use as United Methodists – including Wesleyan terms, organizational terms, titles, etc. This workshop will help students get some sense of our organization, especially our "connection," and an understanding of key people and key terms they will hear. 

Three Simple Rules - This is a study of the General Rules that were observed by the Methodist societies of John Wesley and that are found in our United Methodist Book of Discipline.  Confirmands will explore what it means to do no harm, to do good, and to attend upon all the ordinances of God.  

Packin' for the Journey - Before you take the first step on a journey, you must pack your gear.  This workshop will help confirmands learn about things they will need on their journey of faith while going on a "camping trip".  Students will learn about 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. 

SAFE SANCTUARIES COMPLIANCE

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.

ACCOMMODATIONS / MEALS

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.

The menu for the weekend will be linked here when available (week of event).

YOUTH LEADER RESOURCES

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! 

• Holy Clubs:  A time for just your church group to be together and discuss what is shared at each session as well as modeling accountability through small groups. 
• Map of Epworth
• Keys to your cabin
• List of emergency numbers
• Nametags & lanyards

SAMPLE SCHEDULE 

*Subject to change

Friday, March 3

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)

9:00             Holy Clubs

10:30           In Cabins / Lights Out

Saturday, March 4

7:30-8:30    Breakfast Line Open

8:45             Worship (Strickland Auditorium)

10:00           Workshop #1

11:00           Workshop #2

12:00           Cookout under the Oaks

1:15              Workshop #3

2:15-5:30     Free Time

5:30-6:45     Supper Line Open (Dining Hall)

7:00              Worship (Strickland)

8:00              Holy Clubs

9:00              The Amazing (G)Race

10:30            In Cabins / Lights Out

Sunday, March 5

7:30-8:45      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

QUESTIONS?

For more information, please contact Suzanne Akins, Director of Camping & Retreats at suzanne@sgaumc.com or (912) 638-8626 ext 107.