ENCOUNTER YOUTH RETREAT

NOVEMBER 17-19, 2023

EPWORTH BY THE SEA

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 in beautiful coastal Georgia.    

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. Online payment is preferred; however, mailed church checks only (no personal checks) are acceptable. Make payable to "South GA Conference UMC" and mail to Encounter Youth Retreat, PO Box 7227, Macon, GA 31209. (Please specify that the money is for Encounter registration.)  Click here to register your church group. 

Cost: $165 per person (in South GA Conference) and $185 (out of South GA Conference) - includes meals, cabin lodging, insurance, t-shirt and programming.

Church leaders: Use this form (will link when registration opens) to gather your student's and chaperone's information to make the group registration an easier process. 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 

Adult Leader Q&A Info Zoom will be held Thursday, November 9th at noon. Information will be sent to registered leaders the week of November 6th.
 

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, etc. 
• Devotions: One devotional booklet per person. These will be used both Saturday and Sunday mornings. 
• Church Time:  Small group questions will be given to facilitate this time. These questions will come from our speaker and relate to what he's sharing at each session, allowing your group to dive deeper into the topics and share in a smaller group. 
• Map of campground
• Keys to your cabin
• List of emergency numbers
• Nametags & lanyards
• Free Time options

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.

HOUSING & MEALS

Epworth By The Sea: All participants (children and adults) will stay in cabins. Church groups will not be separated based on grade/age - all same gender participants from each church will stay together. Other church groups will be sharing space in the cabins. Cabins have adult leader rooms; however, because of the number of adults in each cabin, some adults will stay in the large room with children. All beds are bunk beds and individuals must provide own bedding/linens.

SAMPLE SCHEDULE 

Friday

5:30-7:00     Check-in / Supper

7:35              Youth Leaders Meeting - Tabby House

8:00              Opening Worship

9:15              Church Time   

10:30            In Cabins
 

Saturday

7:30-8:45    Breakfast line open

9:00             Devos 

9:30             Worship ENCOUNTER 2 

10:45           Church Time

11:45           Cookout under the oaks

12:45           Community Groups

2:00             Free Time until supper

5:00             Youth Director Meet up - Camp & Retreat Office 

5:30-6:45    Supper line open

7:00             Worship ENCOUNTER 3 

8:15             Church Time

9:00             Coffee House Open Mic - Brown Center

11:00           In Cabins
 

Sunday

7:30-8:30    Breakfast line open

Pack up / Clean up / Load buses

9:15            Devos 

10:00          Worship ENCOUNTER 4 

11:30          Lunch

Load up & Depart

QUESTIONS

Suzanne Akins

Director of Camping & Retreats

suzanne@sgaumc.com

(912) 638-8626 ext. 107