Background
This is the 2nd annual Pan-Orthodox Youth Retreat. Last year, in 2022 we had a total of 50 youth from across the Western provinces: BC, AB, SK and MB. We had an amazing time and many new friendship bonds and connections were formed. The youth retreat is held at Beaver Creek Salvation Army Camp only 10 minutes outside of Saskatoon. We are hoping and praying that this year’s retreat will be equally as awesome if not better than last year.
Fr. Herman Fields from Saint Vincent of Lerins Antiochian Orthodox Church in Saskatoon will lead the liturgical services of Great Vespers and Divine Liturgy. He will be assisted by Deacon Kevin Wigglesworth from Calgary’s St.Peter’s OCA. Deacon Kevin adds lots of camp spirit and fun from his wealth experience in leadership at St.Peter’s OCA Camp that is held annually in Alberta in August. Chris Hawthorne will lead the teaching sessions which will be interactive, thought-provoking and geared to youth – so not boring!! There will be lots of time for hanging out and meeting new and old friends, campfires, night games of Capture the Flag, a Variety Night, group wide games and crafts.
Our Speaker
Chris Hawthorne has worked with children and youth in a variety of capacities for over 19 years. His previous work includes community Youth Work with Youth Unlimited / Youth For Christ from 2010 – 2016. He was chrismated April 4, 2015 on Lazarus Saturday along with his wife, Robyn, and children, Ellie and Sam. He has been the Sunday School Teacher at Holy Nativity Orthodox Church in Langley from September, 2017 to the present. Chris Currently works with youth in his employment as a social worker and with the church as a pan-Orthodox youth leader in the Fraser Valley.
Research shows that retreat attendance is a major factor
in keeping youth active in the Church into adulthood.
Campers
Please click here to REGISTER online with Google Forms
Volunteers
Please email orthodoxyouthretreat@gmail.com if you’d like to volunteer to help. It would be great to have a youth sponsor coming from each parish to help with chaperoning in the cabins and general crowd control. Youth sponsors are expected to abide by the rules of the camp facility and the general code of conduct for youth retreat. Youth sponsors are expected to stay at the camp facility for the duration of the retreat, unless exceptions are made in advance.
For a participant to be fully registered, we must receive a completed registration form and payment in full. If you aren’t able to afford the retreat but want to come, talk with your parish priest or youth leader as scholarship funds are available at most parishes. Participants will be registered on a first-come, first serve basis.
DEADLINE: April 30, 2023 PLEASE SUBMIT FORMS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. Forms Received after April 30, may be accepted based on the availability of space. A confirmation email will be sent to you when your registration information is received.
COST:
Youth registrations must accompany a $175 E-transfer, $150 for two siblings, or $125 for 3+ siblings to treasurer@stvincentoflerins.net Specify Youth Retreat in the info section and use the password retreat. If unable to make an Etransfer please send a cheque made out to St.Vincent of Lerins Orthodox Church with Youth Retreat in the memo field. This may be sent to 1746 Alexandra Ave. Saskatoon, SK S7K 3C5. Etransfer is the preferred method of payment. Questions? Email orthodoxsaskatoon@gmail.com
CANCELLATION POLICY:
We appreciate prompt notification if a camper must cancel. Cancellations will receive a full refund less a $30 processing fee if within two weeks of the retreat. No refunds will be given with less than fourteen days notice prior to the first day of the retreat. In this unfortunate case, please appreciate that we are working on a skeleton budget and hoping to come out of the retreat without a deficit. Your money will go towards making sure this retreat is a success and will continue on in the years to come.
WHAT TIME DO WE ARRIVE & PICK UP?:
We will be ready to welcome retreat participants between 6-7pm on Friday, May 20 . Please DO NOT drop your child off early. Please pick up participants at 12:00 pm on Monday, May 23. Please be prompt with drop off and pick-ups. Participants that drive themselves to camp are required to give keys to their vehicle to the director for safety and liability purposes.
CABIN ASSIGNMENTS:
Participants are grouped according to age and gender. If your teenager has special circumstances why they need to be in a cabin with someone else, you may write a request on the registration form. Requests are not guaranteed and will be granted at the discretion of the Director and/or registrar.
DRESS CODE:
Please review the suggested packing list for directions in packing. It is suggested that Christian modesty be the guideline in appropriate camp dress. Footwear must be worn at all times when at camp. Expensive jewelry, excessive makeup and stylish clothes are unnecessary in the outdoor environment. Clothing should be practical; tube tops, skin-tight clothing, exposed mid-riffs, and shirts with objectionable slogans or language are not acceptable. Participants names should be placed in indelible ink on all personal belongings. Names are especially important on towels. The organizers of the youth retreat and Beaver Creek Salvation Army Camp will not be held responsible for lost items.
MONEY AND VALUABLES:
Money is not necessarily needed at camp. There is no need for your teenager to bring cell phones or other valuables to camp. This is important in loss prevention. Keep cell phones and valuables safely at home. If phones are brought, they will be held by the director over the weekend.
CELL PHONE POLICY:
We ask for your cooperation in encouraging your child to leave their cell phone at home. It is the camp policy to not allow participants to have cell phones during camp or retreats. We appreciate your cooperation in this matter. If we need to get a hold of you for an emergency or you need to get a hold of your child for an emergency please text or call Sara Stobbe (306)850-5451.
FOOD AND CANDY:
We ask that you do not send any food or candy with your teen to the retreat.
(Exceptions allowed for special food needs, Retreat Registrar must be notified on the registration form) Please review this policy with your teenager and support our effort to limit sugar and junk food intake. Please note any food restrictions and allergies on registration and the camp cook may call you for clarification.
DO NOT BRING THE FOLLOWING:
· Cell Phones, I-pods/MP3 players, Portable DVD Players & DVD’s, Radios, Computers, PSP, Game boy or other Electronic games, Laser pointers, Knives, Firecrackers, Explosives, Weapons of any kind
· Food or candy (exception: special food needs)
· PLEASE NOTE: BRINGING THESE ITEMS TO CAMP IS CONSIDERED A VIOLATION OF THE CAMPER AGREEMENT. ANY ITEMS FOUND AFTER REGISTRATION WILL RESULT IN THE CAMPER BEING WARNED AND/OR SENT HOME.
Prayer and Support:
The Pan-Orthodox Youth Retreat is a time for our young people to learn and grow in their Orthodox faith as they share lasting memories with each other. Camp organizers need parent support to ensure the retreat guidelines are known and followed. Please pray for our
participants, staff, directors, and clergy to have a successful, safe, and memorable experience.
VISITATION & CORRESPONDENCE:
Only registered retreat participants and volunteers are allowed on the camp property. Spontaneous visits by friends, or other visitors are STRICTLY PROHIBITED.
DIRECTIONS TO BEAVER CREEK SALVATION ARMY CAMP
From Circle Drive: take Lorne Ave/Chief Whitecap Trail/SK- 219 S exit
Travel on SK-219 S for 14km
Beaver Creek Salvation Army Camp will be on your left.
Beaver Creek Salvation Army Camp
Phone: 306-374-5373
RETREAT PACKING LIST
Retreat Items
- Camera (NO cell phone cameras allowed)
- Pants, Shirts, Socks and Undergarments for 3 days (Clothes for Liturgy on Sunday)
- Waterproof Jacket (there may be rain or snow)
- Sweatshirt or fleece jacket
- Hat for warmth
- Gloves (you will want to be warm for night games)
- Chapstick
- Deodorant
- Toothpaste & Toothbrush
- Brush or comb
- Hair bands, clips etc.
- Soap & Shampoo
- Bible and pen
- Hand towel
- Towel
- Waterproof comfortable shoes for indoor and outdoor
For Night time
- Sleeping Bag
- Pillow
- Pajamas
- Slippers or warm socks
- Ear Plugs (if noise from other people disturbs you)
- Book
- Flashlight
Personal Items
- Medications in the original bottle & placed in zip-lock bag labeled with participant’s name
- Special food needs—Please label, all food will be collected and stored in the camp kitchen.
Dont forget: Please click here to REGISTER online with Google Forms
Still got questions?
orthodoxyouthretreat@gmail.com
306-850-5451