REALIFE Fall Retreat

NOTE: Registration for this event is now closed. Please email realife@mecklenburg.org to check for available spots.

We're heading to Camp Canaan on Lake Wylie for our annual Fall Retreat! This has been a student favorite for over a decade. Come join us for a great weekend full of bonfires, lake activities, climbing wall, archery tag, worship, great food, and awesome friendships. It's going to be an incredible weekend. Invite your friends - all high school students welcome!

RETREAT DETAILS
*Please note, updated information will be emailed to parents a week prior to the retreat

The dates for Fall Retreat 2023 are October 6 - 8 (Friday - Sunday). We will meet at Camp Canaan between 6:30 - 7 p.m. on Friday night. Parents are to pick up students at 2 p.m. on Sunday. Students may drive themselves to the retreat. Camp Canaan’s address is listed below.

Arrival time for the retreat is between 6:30 - 7 p.m. If you arrive earlier than that please sit tight in the parking lot. Check-in will begin at 6:30 p.m. We will have pizza for dinner upon student arrival.

The total cost for the retreat is $135 and includes all lodging, activities, and meals. There is a snack shack/gift shop that has extra items for purchase if students want to bring extra money.

All payments (including activity payments) are non-refundable after September 15. That is when our final payment is due to the camp. We pay the camp for the students who sign up, so even if you back out of the trip, we still pay for your spot. That is why payments are non-refundable.

RETREAT PACKING LIST AND RULES 

WHAT TO BRING:

• Bible/Pen
• Sleeping Bag and Pillow
• Flashlight
• Warm clothes for the evening
• Outdoor/camping chair
• Clothes you can get dirty
• Athletic Clothes
• White clothes for Color Fight
• Toiletries and Soap
• Towel(s)
• Modest Bathing Suit
• Shower Sandals (optional)
• Extra Snacks (if desired)

WHAT NOT TO BRING:

• Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco/Vape items
• Weapons/Fireworks
• Water Balloons
• Computers, electronics, video games, tablets

*While cell phones are permitted on the trip, they will be held by REALIFE leaders between 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. on Saturday. We are making an effort to foster community in our group. Please inform your teen about this in advance to prepare them. Leaders will have their phones to take any pictures students may want, and we’ll have a photographer at the retreat as well. The emergency number below will allow you to connect with your teen during the day (emergencies only please). Students are also not required to bring cell phones, and Mecklenburg Community Church is not responsible for lost or stolen items. 

THE RULES
All rules can be summed up with this one rule: Be Good, Not Bad. But since we need to be specific please read the following rules with your teen to ensure they are aware of behavioral standards for this trip and the consequences of breaking these rules.

THE “OH NO” LIST
The following rules will be enforced with escalating consequences if continuing disobedience persists. Upon the third violation, parents will be called to come pick up their teen to take them home at the parent’s expense.

1. No disrespect (don't be mean, hurt anyone or break anything)
2. No guys in girls cabins or girls in guys cabins EVER for any reason.
3. No being late to or leaving any scheduled event early without permission.
4. No going anywhere alone - except the bathroom :). Always have a friend with you.
5. No PoPDA (public or private displays of affection). If you are a couple, you are not a couple on this trip. Anything more than brief hugs and hand-holding is not permitted.

Consequences for breaking the rules include loss of free time and earlier curfew. Also, any guilty party found responsible for purposefully breaking something will be held financially responsible for any broken items. 

THE “OH NO NO” LIST
Breaking the following rules will result in parents being called IMMEDIATELY to take their teen home.

1. No leaving camp property without permission.
2. No sexual activity.
3. No possession, consumption or use of: drugs, alcohol, tobacco, vaping products.
4. No violence.

FALL RETREAT LOCATION
Camp Canaan: 3111 Sand Island Rd, Rock Hill, SC 29732

EMERGENCY CONTACT DURING TRIP:
704-769-0432

We can't wait for Fall Retreat 2023! Please email realife@mecklenburg.org if you have any questions.