2019 Retreat Recap

(pretty much) We had our first ever middle school retreat at the beginning of November. Our student ministry has done Disciple Now Weekends, as well as a Girls Weekend, but the middle school students have never done anything like this before. We have never done a middle school only retreat, and it was SO GREAT! I think everyone loves it so much because it wasn't like any other event we put on during the year. This event was planned, but it was also very chill (for lack of a better term). Granted, it had some fun elements that hyped it up at times, but this weekend wasn't about a wild set and lights, or loud music and hype games. This weekend was about stripped back worship, authentic small group time, and surrender. I intentionally went into this weekend asking God to take away the elements that we might lean on, and produce something so real and authentic our students couldn't help but to experience the presence of God.
A lot of the time people ask questions like, "What was Retreat like?" and "What did you guys do?" I decided to give you our minute by minute schedule (with locations), and attach pictures. That way you're able to see all what was happening and know about what we were doing. *Pictures were taken by the incredible Ethan Johnson*

Retreat Schedule // 
FRIDAY NIGHT:
5:00 // Leader Check-in Begins (Children’s Rotunda)
5:30 // Student Check-in Begins (Children’s Rotunda)
5:45 // Dinner at SH (Main Street Hallway)
6:30 // Leave Church
8:00 // Arrive at Camp
​8:10 // Assembly & Room Assignment (Worship Center & Bunk Houses)
9:00 // Worship Session #1 (Worship Center)
9:40 // Group Time #1 
10:00 // “Late Night” 
10:30 // Lights Out (Bunks)

SATURDAY:
7:45-8:45a // Breakfast & Quiet Time
8:45-9:05 // Leader Meeting (Assembly Hall)
8:45-9:05 // Student Gathering (Worship Center)
9:05 // Worship Session (Worship Center)
10:00-11:30 // High Ropes or Basketball Group A
10:00-11:30 // Group B Lunch (10:50) and Small Group
11:30-1:00p // High Ropes or Basketball Group B
11:30-1:00 // Group A Lunch (11:30) and Small Group
1:00-1:30 // Transition & Change for Worship
1:30-2:00 // Breakout #1 Starts 
2:00 // Breakout #1 Ends 
2:10-2:40 //  Breakout #2 Starts
2:40-5:00 // Organized Free Time
6:00 // Dinner (Dining Hall)
6:15 // Leader Meeting (Dining Hall)
7:00 // Worship Session #3 (Worship Center)
8:45 // Group Time #3
9:15-9:45 // Bonfire 
10:00 // Assembly
10:10 // Pack
10:30 // Lights Out

SUNDAY MORNING:
7:15a // Wake Up & Clean Up
8:00 // Breakfast (Dining Hall)
8:45 // Worship Session #4 (Worship Center)
10:00 // Depart from Ocoee 
12:00p // Students & Leaders depart from SH

I'm so sorry to the 30 kiddos that left before this picture was taken!