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 - OPEN
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.) Deadline is November 3, 2022. Click here to register.
Cost: $150 per person and includes meals, cabin lodging, insurance, t-shirt and programming.
Church leaders: Use this form 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 10th at noon. Information will be sent to registered leaders the week of November 7th.
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: 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 campground
- Keys to your cabin
- List of emergency numbers
- Nametags & lanyards
- Free Time options
*Menu for the weekend will be available a week in advance. Please let us know of any dietary restrictions or allergies no later than Monday, November 14th.
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
The retreat will take place at 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 youth. All beds are bunk beds and individuals must provide own bedding/linens.
SAMPLE SCHEDULE
Friday
5:30-7:00 Check-in
6:45 Supper
7:45 Youth Leaders Meeting
8:15 Opening Worship
9:30 Church Time
10:30 In Cabins
Saturday
8:00 Breakfast
9:00 Devos
9:30 Worship ENCOUNTER 2
10:50 Church Time
11:50 Lunch shifts
1:00-5:30 Free Time - activities offered on site
5:00 Youth Director Meet up
5:50 Supper
7:00 Worship ENCOUNTER 3
8:15 Church Time
9:00 Late Night Fun
10:30 In Cabins
Sunday
8:00 Breakfast
Pack up / Clean up / Load buses
9:15 Devos
10:00 Worship ENCOUNTER 4
11:30 Lunch & Depart
QUESTIONS
Suzanne Akins
Director of Camping & Retreats
(912) 638-8626 ext. 107
