Retreat Camping

Planning and Conducting a Retreat Program

Chapter Two

The Retreat Program

The retreat program usually includes rest and relaxation, study, worship, music, Bible study, and recreation. Included under these headings are activities such as campfire services, morning watch, cabin devotions and private devotions, mission studies, tournaments, fellowships, and free play. A balance of these elements in a retreat program can provide an exciting and productive experience for those who attend.
 

A retreat is not just a meeting; it is an experience which can change the lives of the participants. A very simple program planned through prayer and the leadership of the Holy Spirit can be the means through which God can develop the lives of the retreatants.
 

The length of a retreat program will vary according to the time needed to accomplish the retreat objective(s) and the availability of a retreat site. Some retreats, like a lock-in or "home" retreat, may last only twelve to eighteen hours. However, the minimum length usually is twenty-four hours. A retreat generally begins on Friday afternoon and ends on Saturday afternoon. The length of the retreat program is important because a longer program usually is more successful. It takes time for the unity, openness, and spirit of a retreat to develop.

Retreats which extend into Sunday can disrupt educational organizations and worship services at home. This practice is not recommended. However, some churches do plan extended retreats.
 

If a retreat leader plans to extend the retreat into Sunday, he should share this plan with church leaders - particularly the church staff. The schedule should have the "blessing" of the church before the retreat is conducted. The retreatants should be home in time for the Sunday evening service. The retreat can be a blessing to the entire church when retreatants share testimonies in the evening service. This sharing of experiences can strengthen the congregation and multiply the results of the retreat.

In the introduction to retreats in chapter 1, a singleness of purpose was mentioned. This purpose was "to provide personal, spiritual renewal in Christ." This is a general purpose. However, many specific objectives may be included under this general purpose. One objective might be to draw closer to God in order to determine his will in regard to a life vocation. Other objectives might be to better know and understand one's self; to have a better relationship with others; to discover the abilities which God has given a person and how these abilities relate to the church's ministry.

The retreat itself is to provide an atmosphere, through properly planned activities, in which a person may experience personal renewal in Christ.

Types of Retreats

There are many types of retreats. The needs of the group should determine the type of retreat. The following list of retreat types is by no means exhaustive. However, churches have conducted these types of retreats with great success. Some churches have combined various types of retreats to meet their special needs.

Spiritual Renewal Retreat

This type of retreat is designed to revive the spirit, restore the damaged parts of one's life, and/or to generally aid in spiritual development.

The major emphasis is on a personal relationship with God. Of course, there are many by-products of this type of retreat such as an improved relationship with others, a new discovery of life direction, and a deeper desire to share one's faith with others. The program would include Bible study, meditation, worship, prayer, recreation, and a sharing of personal Christian experience. Some examples of this type of retreat are:

·         lay renewal retreat

·         Bible study retreat

·         pre-revival retreat

·         silent retreat

·         prayer retreat (some have used prayer and fasting)

Planning Retreat

In a planning retreat an organization or group makes long-range plans or updates past plans.  Although this is a planning retreat, it also is an instrument of spiritual renewal for those who attend. Since they are to seek God's leadership in planning, the planners should be in close fellowship with the Lord.

This planning retreat would include worship, prayer, Bible study, recreation, study, and meditation, as well as sessions for sharing information and planning. Examples of such retreats are:

·         church council planning retreat

·         staff planning retreat

·         teachers' and officers' planning retreat

·         calendar planning retreat

·         youth council planning retreat

·         long-range planning committee retreat

·         revival planning retreat

Special Emphasis or Study Retreat

This retreat involves preparation for a special emphasis in the church, a special project, an unusual opportunity, or some other unique event.  Since this type of retreat offers such a variety of possibilities, the program content may vary greatly. However, the program usually would include meditation, testimonies and sharing, worship, Bible study, prayer, meditation, and perhaps a campfire. These elements would be mixed with the emphasis on the special event.

A few examples of such retreats are:

·         on-to-college retreat

·         pre-revival retreat

·         graduation retreat

·         youth week retreat

·         special study retreat           

·         drama retreat

·         sports retreat 

·         recreation retreat

·         school-is-out retreat

·         missions retreat

·         vocational guidance retreat

·         problem-solving retreat

·         personal development retreat

 

Seasonal Retreat

The seasonal retreat is designed to prepare a group for a specific event occurring in any particular season.

The program usually includes Bible study, meditation, study, discussion, worship, prayer, fellowship, recreation, and campfire; a special emphasis is placed on the event or season around which the retreat is planned. The Bible study and worship periods usually key off of this seasonal topic. Some examples of this type retreat are:

·         Christmas retreat

·         fall retreat

·         New Year's retreat

·         winter retreat

·         Easter retreat

·         spring retreat

·         Thanksgiving

·         retreat summer retreat

Age-Group Retreats

Some retreats are planned around age-groups and are programmed to help this particular age-group reach a desired goal.  The emphasis of this type retreat may be problem solving, counseling, or personal development.

The program usually includes meditation, study, discussion and sharing, worship prayer, fellowship, recreation, campfire; much emphasis is placed on the needs of the retreatants and preparation for their future. Some examples of such retreats are:

·         youth retreat

·         young adult 'retreat

·         college adult retreat

·         adult retreat

·         family retreat

·         married young adult retreat

·         senior adult retreat

 

Organizational Retreat

The organizational retreat usually is for members of an organization, with special emphasis on spiritual renewal, planning, and/or special events concerning the organization.  The program may include meditation, study, discussion, worship, prayer, fellowship, recreation, and a campfire. In all of these elements, emphasis is placed on the work of the organization. Some examples of such retreats are:

·         deacon retreat

·         Sunday School retreat

·         Church Training retreat           

·         music retreat

·         stewardship retreat

·         library retreat      

·         WMU retreat

·         student retreat   

·         teachers' and officers'

·         Brotherhood retreat

·         study retreat

Retreat Groupings

Traditionally, youth retreats have been planned for all youth. Adult retreats have been primarily for the Woman's Missionary Union or the Brotherhood. However, if only these groups retreat, many who could benefit from such an experience are being missed. The senior adult group, for example, can benefit greatly from a retreat. Most senior adult retreats could be scheduled during the week instead of on weekends.

Retreats are not limited to large churches with multiple staff members. Any church can experience a retreat by planning and preparing for it. Church leaders planning their first retreat may want to enlist assistance from leaders of other churches more experienced in retreats. Or, they may want to go on a retreat with another church. This approach allows churches to plan the experience together. However, when two or more church groups retreat together, members of each group usually have more difficulty being open with one another.  The grouping of retreat participants is important. Here are a few suggestions:

Youth

A retreat may include all youth, or it may include only the junior high or senior high youth. The retreat may zero in on a specific age group, such as the seventeen-year-olds or high school seniors. Any of these groupings would include both males and females. In addition to age groups, youth may be grouped by interests or responsibility roles

 

Young Adults

Retreats for this age group may include eighteen (or high school graduates) through twenty-nine-year-olds. Another logical grouping is a single young adult retreat or a married young adult retreat. Churches can help some young adults get their marriages off to a good start by planning a retreat for those about to be married or those recently married.

 

Married Young Adults

In planning a retreat for this group, make arrangements for the children. One approach is to ask the couples to leave the children at home with relatives or friends. Another approach is to provide care for the children at the retreat site. This approach, however, can seriously I limit the effectiveness of the retreat if the participants are constantly checking on their children. This age group also may be grouped according to interests or responsibility roles.

 

Median Adults

Many groupings can be arranged for median adults (generally age thirty through fifty-nine). This group often enjoys retreats for women only or men only. A popular way to divide this age group is by interests or by responsibility roles.

 

Senior Adults

This age group can be divided, but the most successful retreats usually are those with no age breakdowns. Senior adults require facilities appropriate for them: Allow married senior adult couples to stay together at the retreat site. Senior adults also enjoy more privacy in their individual sleeping quarters. Keep this fact in mind when finding a retreat site for them. As a general rule, group senior adults by interests rather than by age.

All-Church Group

This is a retreat for all ages, including adults, youth, children, and preschoolers. A program is planned for each age group, with some activities calling for joint participation of all ages. This grouping provides an excellent opportunity to use the day camping program with children.

 

Family

The family retreat program should keep the family together as a unit. The entire family participates in all activities as much as possible. This grouping must be loosely structured to give free time for each family to do the things it enjoys.  A family retreat should provide a time to get the family together (not a time to break them up and keep them apart.)

 

Planning a Retreat

 

The Camping Director

Who in the church gets the job of retreat planning done? The camping director on the recreation staff! This person is a specialist in camping. Because of the close connection between camping and retreats, this person will coordinate and conduct the church's retreat program. He will provide information and answer questions relating to retreats.

 

The camping director must see that the following actions are carried out:

1.            Project plans and sets goals for retreats.

2.            Enlist a retreat director for each retreat.

3.            Enlist a committee for each retreat.

4.            Enlist other leadership necessary to carry out the retreat program.

5.            Oversee inventory, care, repair, and storage of retreat equipment owned by the church.

6.            Plan, promote, and publicize retreats.

7.            Assist, upon request, any church group or leader who has needs in the area of camps/retreats.

8.            Seek to learn, by investigation and research, as much as is possible about the camping and retreat sites relatively near the church. Study the latest techniques in retreating.

9.            Participate in meetings of the recreation staff.

10.            Estimate budget needs for the retreat program and turn the figures in to the recreation director.

11.            Carry out other staff assignments requested by the recreation director.

Sequence in Planning

The steps in planning a retreat may be fairly standardized to suit any type of retreat. Retreat planning can be simple if certain basic steps are followed. The sooner the planning is done, the better the results in most cases. Here is a suggested sequence of steps in planning:

1.               Determine group to attend retreat.

2.               Set date.

3.               Enlist director.

4.               Enlist retreat committee.

5.               Establish goals for retreat.

6.               Find site.

7.               Plan program.

8.               Recruit staff.

9.               Set fees.

10.               Print and send out publicity and registration forms.

11.               Train staff.

12.               Accept registration forms.

13.               Make arrangement for transportation.

14.               Conduct retreat.

15.               Evaluate retreat.

Enlisting and Training the Leaders

High on the list of priorities in retreat planning is the enlistment of retreat leadership. This is a key step to having a successful retreat.

 

Retreat Director

The first person to enlist is the retreat director the person responsible for the entire retreat. He will enlist and train other workers. He should, of course, be a Christian leader; and he needs to be experienced in leading retreats. He will work closely with all retreat leaders and the camping director on the recreation staff. This leader needs to have many good traits, including spiritual commitment and a deep concern for the spiritual growth and development of those on the retreat.

 

Program Leader

Next, the program leader must be enlisted. Often, this person is from another church or at least from a different group within the same church. This person should have something to say, know how to say it, and know how to relate to the retreat group. Above all, this person should know what the leaders are seeking to accomplish on this retreat.

 

Counselors

Counselors are not baby-sitters, nor are they super humans; no one will have all of the answers. But counselors do play a vital role on the retreat. These should be among the first workers to be secured. Many times they will be enlisted before the program personnel in order to allow time for training. These are the adults who, on youth retreats, will live with the youth. Hopefully, there can be at least one counselor for every eight young people; in some cases more counselors may be needed. However, at times fewer counselors are available. In such cases the participants suffer because of the lack of personal relationships.

Counselors for adult retreats have a different role. These individuals are prepared to assist adults in dealing with the struggles being shared on the retreat. These counselors should be chosen prayerfully, and they should be prepared for the experience. These adults may need to be specialists in the field of counseling.

Other leaders needed are persons with specific skills in first aid, lifeguard duties, cooking, and dining hall responsibilities. The type of retreat and the retreat site will determine if any, or all, of these leaders will be needed.

Retreat Staff

Another major step in producing a retreat is the enlistment of the retreat staff. The staff members can be enlisted from your church. Names can be selected from appropriate age-group records in Sunday School, Church Training, and the music ministry. Also, a recreation interest survey may provide names of possible leaders. Look for adults who have experienced retreats, or individuals who are willing to learn. Each staff member should be trained or given information that will assist him on the retreat. He needs to understand his area of responsibility, know how to carry out his responsibility, and know how he fits into the total retreat program. Most of all, he needs to be prepared spiritually for the retreat. In areas such as first aid, waterfront duties, and cooking, be sure the staff person is trained and qualified to do the job well.

The retreat director is responsible for the training of retreat leaders; he should also prepare the retreatants for the retreat experience. In the case of a youth retreat, he should meet with the parents to help them understand what is planned for their young people. In this meeting, policies, finances, goals, and program personnel will be discussed. God works with parents, too! If they know what will happen on a retreat, they can begin helping their young people prepare for the experience.

After the staff members have been enlisted, they must be trained. These three types of training may be provided for the staff:

1.            Pre-retreat. - This type of training involves preparation for the retreat.

2.            At the retreat. - Training is in a lab-type situation as staffers actually experience the retreat activities. This training requires a staff director skilled in on-the spot counseling.

3.            Post-retreat-Each staffer evaluates the retreat and his own work. This evaluation process may be used to train and instruct staffers for future service.

The success of most retreats is in direct proportion to the wise choice and training of staff members. A good selection and training process is extremely important.

Enlisting a Retreat Committee

The camping director on the recreation staff should not bear the burden of retreat planning alone. The retreat director should enlist a retreat committee. This committee should be made up of interested leaders of the church, and retreatants themselves should be represented on this committee. For example, youth should be on the committee for a youth retreat. (At least half the members of the steering subcommittee should be youth.) Youth are willing and ready to accept such responsibilities. However, do not expect youth to function properly in the committee structure unless you have given them training in committee work. This training may be done in the committee meetings, or it may be done when youth are enlisted for the committee.

The duties of the retreat committee are:

I.               Administration

A.           Set policies for the retreat.

B.           Set dates for the retreat.

C.           Order needed material for training.

D.           Order needed equipment.

E.           Make any forms needed and produce them in bulk.

F.            Check any legal aspects involved in the retreat.

G.           Obtain retreat insurance, if not included in the rental cost of the site.

H.           Evaluate the retreat after returning to the church.

 

II.            Finances

A.           Plan the budget.

B.           Recommend the necessary fees.

C.           Supervise the handling of the funds and the bookkeeping.

D.           Collect the fees from the campers; receive funds from interested people toward camper scholarships; deposit the received funds upon receipt.

E.           Pay all bills.

F.            Keep records of all income and expenses.

 

III. Retreat Site

A.                Locate facilities suitable for the program and the people attending the retreat.

B.                 Visit the site with the retreat director to insure its suitability.

C.                 Reserve the site through deposit, contract, or any other suitable method.

 

IV. Promotion.

A.                Make the church aware of the coming retreat.

B.                 Promote attendance for the retreat.

C.                 Keep potential participants informed of the retreat date and the pre-retreat meetings.

D.                Make posters, brochures, or other materials needed to accomplish the task of promotion.

E.                 Transportation

F.                  Arrange for transportation to get the retreatants and staff to and from the retreat site.

G.                Arrange for any transportation needed during the retreat (an emergency car, bus for field trips, and so forth).

H.                Be sure all insurance is valid for the prescribed drivers. Drivers' licenses and driving records should be examined before enlisting drivers,

 

VI. Program Activities

A.                Plan the retreat activities.

B.                 Make a detailed schedule of activities. Remember to make one schedule for a sunny day and one schedule for a rainy day. In other words, have a basic schedule for each day and an alternate plan for each day in case of rain.

C.                 Enlist program activity leaders.      •

D.                Work with the retreat director in all phases of planning to see that the activities are suitable to the goals of the retreat and to the facilities at the retreat site.

E.                 Evaluate the activities and their effect on the total retreat.

F.                  Include representative retreatants in all phases of planning and evaluation.

 

Selecting Retreat Sites

Where do you have a retreat? This is a very important question. Look for a place that meets the needs of the group. The facilities should provide atmosphere conducive to warm fellowship and easy communication. The facilities should have adequate lighting, plus adequate sleeping and eating quarters. Other desirable features are a fireplace, a large-group meeting room, small-group meeting rooms, and recreational facilities.

Don't select a site simply because it is available. Select a site that will meet your needs. A committee should personally visit the site before it is reserved. The site must be adaptable to the number in the group, the particular age group, and the grouping of the retreatants (by sexes, married couples, family units, and so forth). Also, this site should provide good food, plus adequate water and sanitation facilities. Some programs simply cannot be adapted to some sites. If one site does not fit the program, another place should be chosen.

Where to Look

Retreat sites may be selected from several sources. Here are some suggestions:

1.    Baptist assembly, camps, or retreat centers-Check on the assemblies, camps, or retreat centers owned by the Baptist state convention or those facilities owned by a district or association. Each of these sites have trained leaders who can assist you in using their facilities or finding others.

2.    Retreat centers or camps of other denominations-You may investigate facilities owned by other denominations or agencies. Many of these camps offer excellent services. Their leaders also may assist in planning your retreat at their site. However, do not assume that they will furnish the same services and follow the same policies as Baptist retreat centers or camps. Be sure to study a copy of their policies and procedures before signing a contract.

3.    Facilities of other Christian organiza­tions-Consider the facilities owned by the YMCA or other such organizations.

4.    Private camps-You may wish to contact the owner of any private camp or retreat center and seek information concerning the facilities. Many times this person also can assist in the planning. Be sure that the private camp will not be having others on the campground who might interfere with your retreat. And, make sure that no other activities will be in progress which might conflict with the spirit of your retreat.

5.    State parks, national parks, and other governmental agency camps-Contact the director of your state park system, or a government official in charge of a federally owned retreat site. National parks frequently will have a lodge or other facilities which you may use. Determine whether the government agency places any restrictions on church meetings.

6.    Private property-A farm or lake property would be a good retreat site. Look for a site on a farm or near a lake owned by a church member or someone who might allow the site to be used for a retreat. Of course, you might have to consider camping out as a part of the retreat if there are not enough rooms in the farm house or lake house to accommodate your group.

 

Things to Consider

Never rely solely on another person's description of a site. Always visit a site before making a final choice. By being selective and choosing the best site, you can contribute significantly to the basic success of the retreat.

Carefully consider the sleeping accommo­dations of a retreat site. The sleeping accommodations should be appropriate for the group. Several factors are involved: ages, needs, likes and dislikes, experience, and sexes. For example, one site may be ideal for a brotherhood retreat; but it would never work for a coeducational senior high retreat.

Another very important aspect of any retreat is the food. When food is prepared correctly, it is enjoyed by all. Healthful, good food is even more important on retreats; appetites are even greater, and food enhances the total retreat experience.

It is important to know how a retreat center manages its food situation. At some sites, the manager will furnish, prepare, and serve the food. Other centers will provide the facilities, but the church must provide the food and cooks. Either method is satisfactory if the food is of good quality and adequate quantity. And, the food should meet the needs and desires of the group. A menu should be prepared by the retreat food committee. If the facility manager provides the complete food service, he may have to modify the menu somewhat. But at least he will have an idea of what this particular group enjoys.

Another important aspect of retreating is transportation to the retreat site. The site should be near enough to be reached readily by available transportation. Transportation can vary from hiking to chartering a bus, or even a plane. Be sure that the site can be reached by the methods within the church's means. A site may be beautiful and seem adequate; but if it is inaccessible, it should not be chosen.

In addition to transportation, the distance to be traveled should be considered. Many sites should not be considered because of their great distance from the church. However, it is just as important not to select a site too close to the church. A retreat should be a sustained experience. This experience is impossible if either the retreatants or leaders are frequently leaving the site to return home or to go back to the church.

Other important questions to consider in selecting a site are: "Who are going to be our neighbors during the retreat experience? Whose property adjoins the retreat site? Will they be having activities which would detract from ours? What about the surrounding area? Is it conducive to a good retreat?" Such things should be checked before deciding on a retreat location.

Financing a Retreat
You may be asking the question, "Can our church afford a retreat of this nature?" The answer usually will be yes, unless your church is having financial difficulties. (In this case, you need a stewardship retreat!)

Most retreats may be financed through fees from the participants and through the church budget­ if the retreat is planned far enough in advance to be included in the budget.

First, consider the cost involved. Consider also the type of retreat and the accommodations needed. While some churches will prefer to use a retreat site owned by its members, others will want to rent a site. After determining the kind of retreat the church wants and can afford, work toward getting the finances. The church budget should include an amount for recreation. Some of this money should be designated for retreats. Retreat funds should cover the costs for the program, honorariums, promotion, recreation staff, and administration. Each retreatant should pay his cost for the sleeping accommodations, food, transportation insurance, campsite insurance, and in some cases a part of the program expenses. This amount is usually called the retreat fee.  Each person should pay at least a part of the retreat expense. He will value the retreat more when he shares in it financially.

However, persons in some churches simply cannot afford to go on the retreat. At this point the church should offer help. If money is available for camper scholarships, determine whether it would be best to pay the total fee for one or two retreatants, or whether it would be best to subsidize several retreatants. Senior adults on fixed incomes may need financial assistance. And, some parents cannot afford to send their youth or children on the retreat. Find some means of helping these who really want and need to attend.

Always be on the lookout for one who is willing to send other folks on a retreat. This person usually needs only the information that some individuals want to go but cannot. He will be forthcoming with the funds.

Planning Retreat Schedules

Schedule planning is essential in the success of a retreat. The schedule must be planned with the retreat objectives in mind. In planning, provide times for the participant to go aside to meditate on God's Word, to evaluate who he is, and to reflect on what his purpose is in life. Here is a sample schedule to help you understand how the retreat should be ordered. (You may wish to follow the time allotment side of the schedule and substitute various types of program activities.) .

As mentioned earlier, extending retreats Into Sunday is not recommended. However, for the benefit of groups which do plan extended retreats, a "third-day" schedule is provided.

Sample Schedule

First Day-

6:00 P.M. dinner

7:00 P.M. songs, fellowship, group time, special features (music, films, drama, and so forth) 9:45 P.M. food! (snack time)

10:45 P.M. campfire (fun, fellowship, and devotion)

11:45 P.M. lights-out (This time may be adjusted to allow retreatants to unwind and have some quiet time before the lights actually are turned out.)

Second Day-

7:30 A.M. rise and shine

8:00 A.M. breakfast

8:45 A.M. private devotions (Instructions should be given by leader at breakfast.)

9:15 A.M. group time

10:30 A.M. break

11:00 A.M. group time

12:30 P.M. lunch

2:00 P.M. recreation

4:30 P.M. group time

5:15 P.M. sharing and testimonies

6:15 P.M. dismiss (If you do not plan a third day.)

 

If a third day is planned, follow this schedule:

2:00 P.M. recreation time

5:00 P.M. cleanup time

6:00 PM. dinner

7:00 P.M. talent time

8:15 P.M. group time

9:15 P.M. break

9:45 P.M. hike and campfire service (The hike probably will be to the campfire area, and you might like to make the campfire service a snack time by adding a wiener roast.)

11:00 P.M. in the cabins

11:30 P.M. lights-out

Third Day (optional)-

7:30 A.M. rise and shine

8:00 A.M. morning watch

8:30 A.M. breakfast

9:30 A.M. group time

10:30 A.M. break

11:00 A.M. worship

12:15 P.M. lunch

1:00 P.M. homeward bound

5:00 P.M. assemble at the church for final preparation for the Sunday evening worship service. At this time the group may give testimonies to the church about the Lord's action among them on the retreat.

On a one-night youth retreat, consider the possibility of continuing the program until 2:00 or 3:00 A.M., ending with a devotional period of thanksgiving for life, the day, and the retreat. However, if you do this, do not expect a very alert group the next morning. Breakfast the following morning should be much later than usual. If the latter is used, the retreat management should be notified. Sometimes a disrupted meal schedule will seriously affect the kitchen operation.

The "group times" mentioned in the sample schedule should include program activities designed to reach specific goals. For example, in a "prayer retreat" the group times could involve the study of prayer and prayer periods. In a planning retreat, the group times can be used for actual planning.

Remember to keep the schedule casual and relaxed. After experiencing several retreats, try an unstructured program. Such a program has no printed timetable; rather, an activity is continued until the group wants to move to another activity. This type of program usually is appreciated only by the experienced director and people who have participated in several retreats.

Remember to plan a rainy day program. If you plan well for a rainy day, you may never have one. But, if you do not plan for a rainy day at the retreat, you almost certainly will get rained upon!

Always make two schedules for every day. Make one schedule for a rainy day and another schedule for a nice day. Most of the group meetings and worship services (except for campfires and outdoor devotions) will be indoors. However, recreation and nature hikes are outdoor activities. Therefore, the rainy day schedule will include major changes made in the outdoor activity times. Indoor recreation may be done with the group in anything from a fully equipped activities building to an auditorium with permanent seating. (Indoor activities may be found in the bibliography section of this book.) Impromptu fun drama, talent shows, auditorium games, films, and many other activities may be substituted during the rainy day schedule. An indoor track meet may be planned, including all sorts of novelty contests possible in a limited space.

Other substitutions may be made for various outdoor events. For instance, a "campfire" could be held around the fireplace with the same types of fellowship, devotion, and fun time. If there is no fireplace, you may build a mock campfire with firewood, red cloth, and electric lights.

Developing Retreat Policies

Every retreat has to have some policies for organization, order, and discipline, The retreat director, along with the retreat committee, must make the policies by which the retreat will operate. The director has the basic responsibility for using wise judgment when faced with decisions. Many problems will never develop if policies are made and understood in advance. For example, make it clear that there will be no radios or tape players, and that the director will keep all the car keys (if this is necessary). Be sure that the retreat policies are explained in advance to those going on the retreat.

 

Some suggested retreat policies are:

1.    Everyone stays at the site until the retreat has ended.

2.    All car keys are kept by the retreat director. (This policy will only be necessary at youth retreats when some youth drive cars.)

3.    No radios, phonographs, or tape players are allowed. These items distract from the retreat, and isolation is a basic objective.

4.    All participants should arrive on time unless previous arrangements have been made with the retreat director. Everyone attending must have a signed medical release on file with the retreat director.

5.    Some clothing code is necessary for a retreat.

6.    The code which you agree upon should be given to the retreatants in advance so that they may make adequate preparation.

7.    Retreatants are expected to attend every session.

8.    Since the retreat is a planned experience for a particular group, no "drop-in" visitors are to be admitted unless prior arrangements have been made with the retreat director.

Retreat Themes

The Church Training Department of the Sunday School Board has a series of excellent retreat kits. These kits are available from the Baptist Book Store nearest you. They provide complete programs for a youth group.

 

These excellent materials have the following themes:

·         Koinonia: Unique Christian Bond Agape:

·         Christian Life-Style Prayer:

·         Language of the Spirit Loneliness:

·         Search for Presence

 

Some familiar themes for retreats include:

·         Beyond Ourselves (Gal. 2:20) Theme Song: "Take My Life and Let It Be"

·         Do You Really Care? (I Pet. 5:7) Theme Song: "Do You Really Care?"

·         Just One Man (Matt. 16:24) Theme Song: "Just One Man"

·         What the World Needs Now (Lam. 3:40) Theme Song: "What the World Needs Now"

·         So Send I You (Matt. 28:19-20) Theme Song: "So Send I You"

·         My Life for Christ (John 4:14) Theme Song: "I Take Hands Off My Life"

·         Come by Here, Lord (Matt. 18 :20) Theme Song: "Kum Ba Yah"

·         God's Way, My Way (John 12:25) Theme Song: "Take My Life, Lead Me Lord"

·         Tell It Like It Is (John 8:31b-32) Theme Song: 'Tell It Like It Is"

·         Pass It On (Matt. 28:19-20) Theme Song: "Pass It On"

·         Love Is Action (Matt. 28:19) Theme Song: "Do You Really Care?"

·         The Master Calls (Rom. 8:30) Theme Song: "The Master Has Come"

·         Speak to My Heart (Matt. 11:28-30) Theme Song: "Speak to My Heart"

·         Take Up Your Cross (Matt. 16:24) Theme Song: "Wherever He Leads I'll Go"

·         Take My Yoke (Matt. 11:29-30) Theme Song: "Let o and Let God"

·         Everything Beautiful (I Cor. 2 :9) Theme Song: "Everything Is Beautiful"

·         Who Am I? (2 Cor. 5:20) Theme Song: "The King's Business"

·         Celebrating the living Christ (1 Cor. 13) Theme Song: "He Lives"

·         He's Everything to Me (Acts 17:25-28) Theme Song: "He's Everything to Me"

·         Choose Ye This Day (Matt. 9:9) Theme Song: "I Have Decided to Follow Jesus"

·         Conquering Inner Space (Rom. 8:37) Theme Song: "Faith Is the Victory"

·         Proclamation Through Me (Matt. 5:14-15) Theme Song: "Lord, Send Some Soul"

·         My Life in God's Hands (John 10:28) Theme Song: "Take My Life and Let It Be"

Program Activities Suggestions