The Student Ministry Team

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Dear Parents, Our fall retreat is coming up quickly! Our theme this year is “Unstuck: God holds your future, so you can focus on the present.” Our key verse is “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you (1 Peter 5:7 NIV). The following is information you will need for sending your student to Watermarks Camp with us. *Emergency contact numbers: Watermarks Camp: (434) 286-4403 **cell phone service is spotty, call this number first** Phyllis Connor, Student Ministry Small Group Director: (540) 446-7279 (call or text) Mike Elliott, Student Pastor: (703) 473-7850 (call or text) *Please use for emergencies only ~ no need to check up on your kids, we promise to take good care of them! We will meet at the main parking lot by the worship center starting at 5:30pm on Friday, November 13, 2015. Please arrive no later than 6:00pm. Please feed your students a light dinner before they come! We will enjoy hot dogs around a bonfire when we get there but it will be late. We plan to return to Mount Ararat on Sunday, November 15 around 2:30pm. You will be sent a text alert once we leave camp. If your student plans to play paintball, they will need to bring $10 cash with them and they will register and pay at the camp. There is a camp store that sells soda, snacks, and other goodies. Please send your kids with a couple of dollars to spend. We want your students to have fun at this great retreat. Appropriate behavior is expected. Misbehavior that results in harm to another person or damage to property may result in a phone call to parents and dismissal from the retreat. Any incidents will be handled individually and with discernment by Pastor Mike Elliott. Boys and Girls: Boys will not go into girl’s cabins and girls will not go into boy’s cabins. Physical interaction (hand holding, hugging, cuddling, etc.) will be discouraged on the buses and at camp. Thank you for sharing this information with your children. We are looking forward to an awesome time with your students!

The Student Ministry Team

Things to Bring **Students should bring ONLY 1 bag, 1 set of sleeping gear, 1 pillow, and 1 backpack** 

Sleeping Bag and/or blankets and sheets – it does get cold! If you don’t have a sleeping bag, roll up a couple blankets and sheets and tie together

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Pillow (just one)

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Towels – one is fine

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Toiletries – don’t forget your toothbrush!

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Sweatshirt/ Jacket (it may be quite cool – please don’t forget a jacket!)

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8th-12th Graders: WHITE T-SHIRTS for Color me Rad Game

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Comfortable and appropriate recreation clothes- they will get messy, so not your nicest stuff We will be participating in activities where clothes move around ~ please dress with modesty in mind, no short tops, low-cut pants or low-cut shirts. Shorts should be the same length you are allowed at school. If your student plans on playing paintball please bring appropriate clothes, i.e. clothes that can get paint on them

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Closed toe shoes - Tennis shoes or hiking boots (again, they could get muddy – don’t bring your nice shoes)

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Shower shoes/flip flops

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Plastic bag for dirty clothes

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Flashlight

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Bible, notebook, pens (we supplied notepads on past retreats – we will not be providing them this year)

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Snacks for the bus ride/weekend are optional 

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Spending Money for snack shack and camp store items

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Insect repellent and sunscreen

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Electronics: While we will not forbid electronics, here’s what you need to know if your student decides to bring them. Cell phones: Very spotty service at camp but they may want them on the buses. Ipods, etc.: There will be very little opportunity to use these. We will be in a beautiful, outdoor setting with lots to do outside and that is where we want our kids to be – not playing Candy Crush alone somewhere! All this being said, if your student chooses to bring any electronics, we will not hold them or be responsible for them if they are lost, broken, or stolen!

Things to Leave at Home: 

Firearms/knives/anything considered a weapon

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Alcohol/Drugs

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Tobacco

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Fireworks of any kind