ENCOUNTER YOUTH RETREAT

UPDATE ON FALL 2020 CONFERENCE-WIDE YOUTH & CHILDREN EVENTS

As we seek to keep the safety of our children, youth and adult leaders at the forefront during this COVID-19 pandemic, conference staff has made the difficult decision to cancel all South Georgia Conference retreats for children and youth for fall 2020. With the current restrictions required for large group gatherings and the now very-known risk involved in overnight camp and retreat settings, KidzQuest and Encounter, held at Epworth By The Sea, are cancelled and set to return in 2021.

We are grateful for the many churches in our conference who have made these weekends a priority for faith formation and we look forward to being able to gather together again at Epworth By The Sea to grow closer to God and to one another – safely. 

SAVE THE DATE: November 19-21, 2021

THE FOCUS

Encounter is a weekend retreat designed for 6th - 12th grade students where everyone will ENCOUNTER God, and each in a very unique way. This retreat will offer passionate worship, relevant Bible study and a meaningful time with other teens at Epworth By The Sea on St. Simons Island.

REGISTRATION

How it works: Registrations will be pending until full payment is received. Payment is required within 7 days of registering and $50 of the registration fee is non-refundable. Churches will register as a group and fill out individual camper's information within the same registration. Deadline is November 8, 2021. 

Cost: $150 per person and includes meals, cabin lodging, insurance, tshirt and programming.

Church leaders: Click here (link will be live when registration opens) if you need a form to hand out to gather your student's and chaperone's  information. This is not a registration form. Only online 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 if the registrar is notified prior to the first day of the retreat.To make notice of cancellation or change after the deadline, you must contact the Connectional Ministries office at (912) 638-8626 and in writing to suzanne@sgaumc.com.

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, church time, free time and a few surprises! 
• Devotions: One devotional booklet per person. These will be used both Saturday and Sunday mornings. 
• Church Time:  Questions based on what is shared at each session. These questions will allow your group to dive deeper into the topics and share in a smaller group. 
• Map of Epworth
• Keys to your cabin
• List of emergency numbers
• Nametags & lanyards

SAFE SANCTUARIES COMPLIANCE

Adult chaperones are provided by each church group attending.  Counselors must be 21 or older with a 1:6 ratio for counselor/youth. Both male and female counselors must be in attendance if both genders are represented with students. Click here to download the Safe Sanctuaries form. Only one form per church group is needed and this can be turned in at registration or emailed ahead of time to suzanne@sgaumc.com.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Participants at ENCOUNTER 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.

SAMPLE SCHEDULE 

Friday

5:30-7:00     Check-in @ Camp & Retreat Office

5:30-7:00     Supper line open

7:45              Youth Leaders Meeting @ Tabby House

8:15              Opening Worship (Strickland Auditorium)

9:30              Church Time   

10:30            In Cabins

Saturday

7:00             Morning Fun Run (optional) 

7:30-8:30    Breakfast Line Open

8:30             Devos @ Brown Center

9:30             Worship ENCOUNTER 2 (Strickland)

10:45           Church Time

11:30           Cookout under the Oaks

12:30-2:30  Adult Leader Workshop pt 1

1:00-2:30    Break Out Groups (MS Girls, HS Girls, MS Boys, HS Boys)

2:30-5:00    Free Time - activities offered on site

5:30-6:45    Supper

7:00             Worship ENCOUNTER 3 (Strickland)

8:15             Church Time

9:00             Adult Leader Workshop pt 2

                     Late Night Fun TBD

11:00           In Cabins

Sunday

7:00            Morning Fun Run (optional)

7:30-8:45   Breakfast line open

8:45            Pack up

9:00            Devos @ Brown Center

9:00            Adult Leader Workshop pt 3

10:15          Worship ENCOUNTER 4 (Strickland)

11:30          Lunch & Depart

QUESTIONS

Suzanne Akins

Director of Camping & Retreats

suzanne@sgaumc.com

(912) 638-8626 ext. 107