Dual Track Youth Retreat

This retreat is for students and leaders with no youth group – or small youth groups – or youth groups of any size to connect from across the conference while spending a fun weekend in the mountains together at one of our centrally located camps.  We are grateful that Bishop Cedrick will be a part of this retreat experience too!

When is the Dual Track Retreat?
[based on a poll of youth leaders] The retreat runs the evening of Friday, November 3 through the late morning of Sunday, November 5.  An evening snack will be provided on Friday; groups are responsible for their own dinner.  Breakfast and sack lunch will be provided on Sunday.

Where is the Dual Track Retreat? 
Suttle Lake Camp (our most centrally located UMC camp).

Who is the Dual Track For? 
6^th-12^th grade Youth in United Methodist youth groups and ecumenical cohorts

What is the Dual Track Retreat?
The Dual Track Retreat is a chance to gather for a confirmation track and leadership track (dual tracks) retreat to connect our students and leaders, to provide a space for students with no youth group – or small youth groups – or youth groups of any size – into a meaningful leadership development and confirmation experience.  

1)  The "leadership track" provides a leadership development retreat for youth to consider leadership and vocation in their own contexts - and possibly lend itself to youth leadership on a district or conference level.

2)  The "confirmation track" is aimed at deepening the confirmation experience for youth and leaders.  Content will be planned to provide universal United Methodist content like doctrine, polity, and more that are best experienced as a connectional church. This part of the retreat is UMC specific, so non-UMC youth would likely most enjoy attending the leadership track instead.

Let's work together!  If your church is needing help or your church is able to partner with another church, this is an opportunity to collaborate.  For example: If there was only one youth at Whotown Second United Methodist Church (not a real church) that was ready for a confirmation experience, and their neighboring church Whotown First UMC (also not a real church) was open and prepared to work collaboratively, these two churches could join in conversations and excursions throughout the year to enrich the confirmation experience for both communities. 

What is the Cost? 
The full cost is only $75/person for the first 60 people. (Jeff Lowery and Drew Hogan secured 50% funding from the conference so they are also paying $75/person – the full cost was $150.)

How do we Register?   
Use the attached group registration form to register through Camp & Retreat Ministries.  Holly Dolan, camp registrar, is available at holly@umoi.org or 503-802-9214 to help as needed.   A health form is required for every youth and adult participant.  Completed forms may be brought to the retreat or sent to the camp ahead of time.  If choosing to bring forms the day of the event, please communicate dietary needs to the camp at least 1 week a head of the retreat.

Adult leadership from churches is key to making this retreat a success.  One chaperone is needed for up to 7 youth participating (corresponding with gender for housing).  Please reach out to us if your church has one or two youth and no adults able to come OR if you don't have adults that match the gender of your students. Every effort will be made to include all youth who want to participate.  

You will receive more detailed information about the retreat closer to the start of the event. 

How can I be involved with planning? 
Because this is collaborative and we cherish each of you and your gifts, you’re invited to be a part of the planning, if you have the bandwidth, passion, and desire to be a part of it!

What this entails:

• Some zoom meetings and emailing to determine the flow of the weekend.
• Helping lining up teachers for large groups for both confirmation and leadership
• Helping create content for breakouts
• Helping form some scope and sequence for confirmation in a collaborative model
• Planning for games and extra activities
• Plan for worship
• Some recruitment 

If serving on this team to plan the Dual Track Retreat speaks to you, if you have questions, and/or if you’d like to participate in the planning team for this, please email Jeff Lowery (jeffl@tigardumc.org), email Drew Hogan (dhogan@fumcpdx.org) or text Drew (469-878-1288).