By: Danae Whitmer Becca Ebenhoch Danielle Hayes · 2013. 3. 26. · • Journal decorating ‐Buy...
Transcript of By: Danae Whitmer Becca Ebenhoch Danielle Hayes · 2013. 3. 26. · • Journal decorating ‐Buy...
By: Danae Whitmer Becca Ebenhoch Danielle Hayes
PreTrip Planning Pray
"The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." (James 5:16, NIV) We know that God hears our prayers and wants the best for His servants; continually seek God throughout every process of the trek and pray for His will to be done. Pray for guidance and discernment in leading the retreat, for clear direction in where to go and what to say, for God to move in the hearts of those He wishes to participate in the retreat, and for the trip to be fully centered around God. Budgeting
Before you start your budget, consider these questions: ‐How much are you willing/able to spend? ‐How many youth are attending the retreat? ‐How much money will they have to pay? ‐How many adults are accompanying/leading? ‐What supplies do you need and how much will they cost?
While each budget will vary, food, transportation, location, speaker, music, and crafts/activities will likely be apart of all budgets. Below is an example of a budget to help you in planning for your retreat. PURITY RETREAT BUDGET Friday Saturday Sunday SUBTOTAL TOTAL FOOD $500 Breakfast $75 $75 $150 Lunch $75 $75 $150 Dinner $100 $100 $200 TRANSPORTATION $580 15 Passenger Van $450 Gasoline $130 LOCATION $450 Camp $150 $150 $150 $450 SPEAKER $70 Woman from Community $70 $70 MUSIC $100 Worship Band (1 Day) $100 $100 TSHIRTS $175
25 Shirts $175 CRAFTS $350 Journals $125 Buttons, Ink Pads, Etc. $50 Picture Frames $75 Mirror Stickers $100 TOTALS $150 $570 $400 $2,225 Location
Find a camp that appeals to you and has the necessary amenities needed for the retreat. Look for a camp that has enough bunk beds for each person attending the retreat, a large area where all of your girls can gather together for worship and group talks, and adequate dining and bathing areas. Some camps provide food services and equipment; search around to find a camp that has what you’re looking for. Dates
Search the calendar for a free weekend and ask around to find out when the majority of the girls in your youth group are available. Your retreat can last a full weekend or involve a mere one night get away; find what works for your group of girls. Leaving from the church at 4:00 pm on Friday and returning to church on Sunday afternoon is a common length for retreats. A purity retreat can be held in any season and each season provides unique opportunities for outdoor activities and events.
Transportation Depending on the transportation and volunteers you have readily available, carpooling, renting a bus, using a 15‐passenger van, and taking a train are all viable options. How you choose to transport your group to the site depends on the number of people you have attending, how much “stuff” (luggage, crafts, food, etc) you need to transport, and how many drivers you have available.
Programming: What goes on at the retreat
“So what are we going to do?” That is a common question among teens and leaders alike when considering whether or not to go on a retreat. And their answer is…? Well it is all encompassed in the programming. It is important to keep the targeted audience in mind when making your plans. Make sure that the subject matter is applicable and beneficial to
your students. Also, there should be purpose behind each activity. What are the objectives? What do you want your students to take away from the workshops? Do the activities planned reinforce or go against any of the standards or lessons taught? Each of these questions should be asked before openly accepting any type of retreat. Listed below are the programming plans for a weekend purity retreat for young girls, specifically high school girls. Even though this retreat plan was created for high school girls, with a few adjustments it could be applicable for middle school girls as well. The weekend purity retreat programming details below include workshops, activities, rallies, meal times, and talk back sessions.
Rallies
A rally is a time during the retreat where everyone gathers together to worship together in community, as well as hear a message from the speaker regarding the retreats topic. How Many? There can be any number of rallies per retreat. For a weekend, it is suggested that there are four rallies spread out during the weekend. There should be one on Friday, soon after arriving to the retreat center (residential camp ground in this case), two on Saturday (morning and night), and one on Sunday before departure. What Encompasses a Rally? Entertainment: The rallies normally consist of some kind of opening entertainment. This can be a dance the leaders do, a funny video that relates to the theme of the retreat, a live skit*, a game, or anything else that is fun, funny, appropriate and lightheartedly prepares girls to learn more, and dig deeper within themselves and their relationship with God. However, this time can also be used to be more serious as well.
* One good skit that can either be performed live, or shown as a video is the everything skit (lifehouse) http://youtu.be/cyheJ480LYA
Worship: Worship can be before or after the entertainment. It is suggested to do it after the entertainment, that way people can prepare their hearts to hear God’s Word through a speaker. The worship should be in the style that your audience will appreciate. Yes, worship is worship, and God cares more about the condition of the heart, than the sound that comes from the instruments, but music is one small way God interacts with
people. Music evokes emotion and girls have plenty of that. Selecting the right style of music sets the audience up for the possibility of a real encounter with God. Depending on the retreat center, a worship band may be provided. If it is not in the budget to get a band, you can always ask musically gifted members of the church to volunteer, or other gifted Christian musicians outside of your church. Because this retreat is for girls and our aim is that they find their identity,
beauty, and self‐worth in Christ, good songs to use would be ones that emphasize who Jesus is and His love for His people. Message: For this particular retreat, the topics of the messages have been hand‐ picked for high school girls. It is very important that that fact is kept in mind when selecting the speaker for the weekend. It is also important to consider your allotted budget. If you cannot afford a speaker, or fell as though God is calling you or another leader(s) to step up and speak, by all means go with that! The speaker should be…
• An active Christ‐Follower • Aware and educated of the culture teenage girls are growing up in these days • Bible smart, knowledgeable, exhibit the fruits of the spirit (see Galatians 5:22‐23) • Passionate about teenage girls and their struggles • Normally, it would be suggested that the speaker is a female, but to have a strong
male speak for certain parts would be beneficial. If possible, get both, and use discretion on which topics which gender speaks on.
Possible Message Topics for Purity Retreat Beauty…Being a Righteous Fox (going against culture), Differences between males and females, Identity, Modesty, Physical and Emotional purity, Being a Proverbs 31 Woman, Relationships, the difference between a girl and a Woman, the difference between a boy and a Man, and more. Any of these can be used, combined with one another, or modified as one of the four main topics to speak about during the retreat. After the Rally… After the rallies, break off into small groups (if there are enough people to do that) and discuss the message. The person/leader monitoring the talk should open in prayer and invite the Holy Spirit to direct the conversation. Allow a time for the girls to ask questions, share things that they resonate with or things they need help with. Make sure that the environment and tone that is set is a secure and confidential one so that girls will feel comfortable to open up to one another. This is a good time as a leader to speak truth into girls’ lives. It may be helpful to recite scripture, or write notes. Keep a Bible and a notebook and pen handy, the girls might want these materials as well. After most small group times, a meal is provided by the retreat center. Workshops and Activities Workshops and Activities are times in the day where the girls get to be creative, and do some sort of interactive learning that corresponds with the message(s) they’ve heard. The types of workshops and activities will vary depending on the size of the group, and the preference of the girls. Each of these should be placed in separate areas. They can either be run during the same time, multiple times so that girls have a choice of which option to choose, or they can have one big activity at a time. It is suggested to do the first option, that way those who are running the activity do not get overwhelmed. A smaller group is not only practically more efficient, but they help foster relationships better as well. Suggestions for activities:
• Journal decorating ‐Buy some kind of a plain journal that the girls can decorate. Buy decorations (markers, glitter, glue, flower petals, buttons, ink pads, whatever else you desire!)
• Create flower headbands and clips (buy headbands, cloth with desired patterns,
bobby pins (or other types of clips), also scissors and hot glue would be needed)
• Gather a collection of magazines (preferably teen ones), have the girls go through and cut out words or letters that describe and define them. Have them put those words either on their journal or on a construction paper. Also, you could have them put it somewhere at home where they see it often so they do not lose sight of who they are in God’s eyes.
• Bracelet and Jewelry making station‐ Go to Joann Fabrics and buy assorted colorful string and beads. For learning how to make them, click on the following hyperlink: http://www.rockbrookcamp.com/camps/just‐for‐campers/make‐bracelets.html
Suggestion for background music in each of the stations:
Go to http://www.pandora.com/#/account/sign‐in/ make an account, and then use one of these songs as the base song, and a good play list of songs similar to the base song will play. ‐Beautiful by Mercy Me ‐Identity by Lecrae ‐Beloved by Tenth Avenue North ‐You Are More by Tenth Avenue North
Informational Meetings Parent & Student Meeting
Encourage both the girls and their parents to attend all meetings. Set aside one meeting a few months before the retreat to distribute and collect any paperwork that needs to be completed, provide basic information about the retreat, and discuss and plan fundraisers. Provide the parents with an estimated cost for the trip based on the budget you have completed and give them a tentative schedule. Get the youth and their parents excited about what is planned! Set a due date for all paperwork and money and consistently remind students and their parents (both verbally and through newsletters, notes, etc)
One paperwork item you may want to include is The Consent Form/Covenant of Expectations. The basic Consent Form should clearly state the expectations, standards, and release of liability to ensure that values are upheld and group members understand the risk they are entering into. It is often valuable to have team members come up with their own "rules" for behavior. By using their input, it gives youth a sense of ownership and makes them more likely to hold to the standards. Have both the youth and their parents or legal guardian sign the form for added accountability. Leaders Meeting
Discuss with your leaders what is expected of them. What do you want them to do? What particular jobs do you have for them? How do you want them to exercise their gifts? What can they do to best interact with the girls? What do they need to do to help prepare and set up for the retreat? Also, ensure all of the leaders are aware and prepared for the retreat by going over the schedule with them and giving them specific instructions. Allow them to ask questions and offer their input; serve alongside them as you prepare for the retreat. Promotion
This section is all about how you are going to promote our event. In order for this retreat to be a great, free time, we need to promote it and have some fundraisers. Your retreat may not need any fundraising, but publicity is another huge task to add to your retreat plan. Get those kids pumped to go on this retreat. Fundraising
Whether your trip is expensive for a student to go on or not, it’s always a good idea to raise some support for a trip. As a leader, you may choose to go to a far away location or you may choose to go to your near by camp. Conducting a fundraiser is also another way to get the congregation and families to be
aware of what the youth group is doing. One idea for a fundraiser is some kind of food sale. This could include a brat sale at a local Wal‐Mart or Target. That way you are making money from an outside source other then the people in your church. On a side note, it’s a great
way to talk to non‐believers, which may feel hungry when walking, to invite them to your church or inform them of what you are doing. Put a little church promotion in there! A chili dinner is a great idea to have as an after church lunch or even a mid‐week lunch for the congregation. I know from experience, people in the church love this. Lastly, a food fundraiser would be the classic bake sale. Have people donate food from the church that they made and also have the students make some treats. Overall, the students that are
attending or students that may just want to help should help run this event and be “workers” at the fundraiser. This is a way from them to earn the money they are making, a common sense type of thing. Recently, I have heard of a great fundraising idea, it’s called Rent‐A‐Kid. The students that are going on the retreat are on a list and one of the leaders heads up that list. When someone needs yard work, babysitting, painting, etc., they call that leader and say what they need help with. Then, the leader calls one of the students and gives them that job. I believe that this would be a great idea to raise money for each kid. Keep in mind that each student should get an equal amount of calls. This may be a little hard to manage, but if the congregation knows that students are raising money for a trip, they usually come through and help, especially those cute old people. Another general idea is a Mommy’s Day Off. This is simply a daycare that the students would put on. In the afternoon, the parents would drop off their kids to be watched and then pick them up later that night. This fundraising event could have a theme to it such as under the sea. Then everything you do goes off of that theme. For instance, the crafts, games, and meals, all have something to do with that theme. It’s a great way for the parents in the church to have a day off from their little ones. There are plenty more ideas that could be done for fundraising that could be found at http://www.studentministry.org/71‐fundraising‐ideas‐for‐youth‐groups/ . There are so many great ideas that I found on here that I may use for my future youth group. Feel free to make up your own fundraising ideas or simply use any of these. Good luck with whatever fundraiser you do and don’t forget to get the word out there, have some fun, and make some money! Publicity This topic could go for two things, either publicizing the retreat or publicizing the fundraiser event. Either way, think creative. The best way to think of how to get the word out there, is how would you want to be advertised to? Think of the places that you best hear about events or what you are mostly around during the day. The first and best way to get information out is by word of mouth. Announce at each youth group what and when the retreat is. An interesting way to advertise for it to the students is through creative videos or skits. Basically anything to grab the students’ attention is best. I personally enjoyed video announcements at youth group; they always had me laughing and kept me intrigued. To get across to the congregation, announce it during church. Also, you can put it in the bulletin or even put a small booth up in the lobby for people to see as the walk by. Do something that will grab people’s attentions. To get the word out about a fundraising event, again, word of mouth is best. If it is going to be in the community, put around fliers and all the local places people normally go to. Another idea is again to advertise in the church. Put a slide up in church or have the pastor verbally say it in the announcements. Ask for help from the people in the congregation to make this even possible.
It’s important to update people when the event gets closer to remind them that they have something important to attend. You can be creative in whatever you do. The goal is to get the event known and have people remember it. Be funny, be creative, anything it takes to get the word out. Step into their minds for a day and see what other people think is the best way to advertise. During the Trip
Now that you have read about what the entails of an event and all the preparatory planning for it, wouldn’t you like to know what is expected at the event? What are my girls going to get out of this or why is this retreat necessary to have? These are all great questions. I will also touch base on what students and leaders should bring to this retreat. Remember that where we are basing this trip is at a camp, so it has more of a rustic feeling. Having it at a different location, such as a hotel, could imply bringing different things along with you. What To Expect In order to advertise for this, the students should know what to expect. To say the least, expect to be blown away. Expect to be fully submerged in God’s love. This retreat will have God presence everyday. The girls will grow closer to each other and have the opportunity to grow closer to their leaders. I pray that the girls will feel God’s presence during this retreat that you may be putting on. There will be rallies that happen every night and morning with a speaker that is brought in, if you so choose to do so. Workshops will be happening throughout the days that will grow them closer to the Lord. The girls will have a couple to choose from, so it
may be a more intimate group. These workshops could include spending time with God in a prayer room or listening to a specific topic that one of the leaders has prepared. Activities will be put on, such as decorating journals and making bracelets. An awesome worship band will also be there for the rallies. This is a way for students to praise God through song. All of this can be modified to what you want to do or what you like best. I truly believe that these girls will walk out with a better relationship with each other and with the Lord. They may
have lingering questions that are a great way, as a youth leader, to talk out with them. What To Bring as a Student
This list contains items where the retreat takes place at a camp. If the retreat you are planning on conducting is at a different location, you may need to modify this list.
• Sleeping Bag • Pillow • Clothes for 2 days
o Clothes to get dirty in
o 1 nice outfit o Pajamas
• Personal toiletries • Towel • Shoes • Flashlight • Bible and Notebook
You may want to note what not to bring such as, electronics or valuables. The students may be allowed to bring cell phones, but to have them keep them in their cabins during the day. (That is up to the youth leader) Also, you may want to indicate what the weather is going to be like, so the students know how to pack. If it gets cold at night, tell them to bring warm clothes for the evening, etc. What To Bring as a Leader The leaders should bring the same basic items to the retreat as the students. Along with that list, the leader should have all the medications that the students may need and all the paper work. Make sure as well to have the money needed to pay the camp if this was not done in advance. Some of the extra items a leader should bring are, all the materials for workshops and activities. If you are going to be playing outdoor games, bring the proper equipment need for that game. Also, if the type of craft you are going to be doing requires little nick knacks; don’t forget to pack those. We suggested earlier having the girl decorate journals. The supplies you would need for that are, journals, glitter, glue, stickers, paper, etc. Basically anything that you would think you would need to decorate it. It’s not a bad idea to ask a couple girls what they would want to see out on the table to decorate a journal with. Lastly, if you plan on having the girls take home something special with them at the end the retreat, think of what you may want that to be and order it. Example Schedule Friday: ‐ Arrive in the late afternoon ‐ First Activity: journal making ‐ Get dressed up and eat nice dinner ‐ Rally: Worship Band
Beauty Talk‐ Being a Righteous Fox ‐ Talk back in small groups ‐ Night Activity: Girl bonding games ‐ Bed Saturday: ‐Breakfast
‐Rally: Worship Band
Differences between males and females‐ How God designed us. ‐Boy vs. Man and Girl vs. Woman
‐ Workshops ‐ Activity: Game ‐ Lunch ‐ Workshops ‐ Activity: Craft ‐ Free Time ‐ Dinner ‐ Rally: Worship Band Beauty in God’s Image ‐ Talk back in small groups ‐ Night Activity: Dance Party ‐ Bed Sunday: ‐ Breakfast ‐ Rally: Worship Band Silence and Solitude ‐ Send off activity Give final gift ‐ Load up and go home FollowUp After a weekend retreat full of God, emotion and excitement is built up inside of you. Either as soon as you get back or a week after, have a debrief session. The students may have questions that they have lingering in their minds or simply an amazing testimony that they want to share with the group. The good thing about waiting a week to have this follow‐up meeting, is that it gives the students a chance linger in what they just experienced that weekend. After going back to school and dealing with the “real world” again, things may come up that have amazed them. I advise that this later date already be a requirement in the retreat plan so it is not as hard to get the students all together again. Another idea is to have a couple of the students share something little to the whole youth group in what they learned. Then, the students that weren’t able to go or didn’t’ want to go have the chance to hear how the retreat went. It’s also a great way for the boys in the group to hear how their sisters in Christ are growing to become women of God. Maybe even having a video with film and pictures from the retreat play to advertise for next year or simply have for memories. This way, the students have a visual memory of what went on during the retreat and how awesome of a time they had.
Conclusion We really enjoyed writing this retreat plan and coming up with ideas of what this purity retreat would look like. Feel free to use whatever material you come up with and use any ideas you find from this retreat plan. We pray that the girls you take on this retreat be emerged in the glory and love of God.