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W E L C O M EW H I T E O A K
C O N F E R E N C E C E N T E R
F A m I ly R E T R E AT
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T a b l e o f C o n T e n T sW h y O f f e r a f a m i l y r e t r e a t ? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
t y p i c a l e l e m e n t s O f a f a m i l y r e t r e a t . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
W h y W h i t e O a k c O n f e r e n c e c e n t e r ? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
s a m p l e p l a n n i n g s c h e d u l e . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
B u d g e t W O r k s h e e t . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
a n i n v i t a t i O n . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
633 Mobley Highway
Winnsboro, SC 29180
(803) 635-4685
(800) 723-7242 Ext. 5900
Fax: (803) 635-4453
Email: [email protected]
www.whiteoakconferencenter.info
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because strong families don’t happen by accident or piecemeal.
what promotes family unity? Is it the hectic schedule of school, karate
class, piano lessons, football practice, fast food at 7 p.m., and homework done
while collapsing into bed? Or is it “teenagers and kids versus the old people”
Ultimate Frisbee at a retreat center?
Is it the mad rush to get to church – dressed in Sunday best – on Sunday morning
– a family of five in three different cars because they’re on three different
schedules? Or is it the whole family casually ambling into a worship service
designed just for families, no volunteer obligations pulling on anyone for just
this week?
Is it a weekend of catching up on sleep, housework, and errands, all mixed in with
birthday parties and baseball games and sleepovers? Or is it a weekend of a
more leisurely schedule, meals prepared for you, no housework or errands, age-
appropriate activities for each of your
children, and dedicated time for
families to play, worship, and talk?
W h y o f f e r a f a m i l y r e T r e a T ?
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what if whole families from your church retreated together? Take
a weekend, plus or minus a day, to rest, relax, recreate, refresh, and all-around
rejuvenate – as families. Imagine the effect on family unity and church unity.
Family life today is so fractured with school, sports, church, work, and more.
“We’re just so busy!!” is the plaintive refrain. There’s little time, often, to simply be
together, to talk about the deeper issues of life without interruption, the tyranny of
the clock, the pull of television, the Internet, and those ubiquitous smart phones.
There is simply something special about getting away from the distractions of
daily life and focusing on one another. Something special about worshipping
together, playing Ultimate Frisbee, paddling the canoe around the lake,
assembling s’mores at a campfire, and generally zeroing in on fun, rest,
and genuine conversation.
strong families don’t happen by accident or piecemeal. A family
retreat – in which a church provides a retreat for families – offers an ideal setting
and schedule for building family unity…which in turn contributes significantly to
church unity.
White Oak Conference Center, in the woodland hills of central
South Carolina, is poised to help your church make such a
retreat happen.
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Worship for all of the family except preschoolers and younger.•
Age-specific teaching times, as needed for the number in your group and •
ages of children.
Age-specific activities. •
Free time for recreation – a mix of active recreation (canoeing, Frisbee, •
swimming, hiking, soccer, etc.) and restful recreation (movies, board games,
storytelling by a campfire, etc.). There should be some activities available
that whole families can enjoy.
Time for reflection – for families, and for individuals to talk with church staff/•
leadership/retreat leaders.
• Time to rest. Translation: no late night or early morning requirements, and time
in the afternoon(s) to rest. The goal isn’t to cram, but to unwind.
W h a T i s a f a m i l y r e T r e a T ?a T y p i C a l f a m i l y r e T r e a T C o n s i s T s o f a b a l a n C e o f T h e f o l l o W i n g e l e m e n T s :
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“
“
I think parents just sometimes don’t have the time, or don’t think to create
opportunities, to just hang out with their kids. Our retreat helped by
removing them from day-to-day stresses, taking them some place like White Oak and giving them simple tools, time, and opportunity to be with their kids. God
honored it, there’s no doubt.
– Keli Holbrook, minister to children at
Cedar Creek Baptist Church, Aiken, S.C.
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because:
we’re faith-focused.
White Oak Conference Center is a place specifically dedicated to helping •
people and churches grow in their faith. That’s been our mission since it was
established 30 years ago. This isn’t a neutral conference center that occasionally
hosts religious groups, but a place intentionally developed and dedicated to
Christian ministry and spiritual growth.
the location is central – and rejuvenating.
Eight miles off I-77 in central South Carolina•
A quiet, serene setting in the countryside•
Removed from the hustle and bustle of everyday life – crucially, from telephones •
and televisions
the amenities are especially designed for retreats.
There’s space for:
large groups•
small groups•
informal gatherings, and •
plenty of nooks for one-on-one conversation. •
W h y i s W h i T e o a k C o n f e r e n C e C e n T e r T h e i d e a l s e T T i n g f o r y o u r f a m i l y r e T r e a T ?
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There are low-impact recreational offerings:
hiking•
bonfires•
board games•
lakeside fishing •
and more.
There’s space – places, time, and enough freedom from the technology leash – to
journal, rest, play, counsel, eat, reflect, meditate, reenergize, and even heal.
And, of course, we have a myriad of accommodation and dining
options, customizable to your group – from formal banquets to campfire
fare to short order café offerings, and everything in between. Whatever
your dining desires are, we can accommodate. (see inset for details)
excellent and experienced service-focused staff: Our goal is
to exceed your expectations as we help provide the setting, tools and logistics
for an excellent retreat.
And high-energy options:
swimming•
field games•
a ropes course•
boating •
and more.
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READ RETREAT PLANNING KIT
DEFINE PURPOSE/GOALS
CHOOSE FACILITY/DATE (Book or contract with facility)
Reconfirm housing, meeting rooms, meal times, equipment needed, etc.
Send schedule to retreat center
Give final numbers of people attending and confirm equipment needs.
Meet with camp host at site. Finalize arrangements.
PLAN OTHER PROGRAMS
Confirm Speaker
Confirm special music and song leader
Plan other program: workshops, select workshop leaders, recreation,
free time activities.
Plan schedule, send to program people
Confirm travel for program people
Confirm schedule and program with program people
Draw checks for honorariums
Packets made up: schedules, note paper, maps, etc.
Meet with speaker/s and other program people before the retreat for
prayer and review of purpose and objectives.
MAKE BUDGET (See worksheet)
PROMOTE
Choose promotion team. Plan personal invitation strategy.
Publish brochure
m a s T e r p l a n n i n g C h e C k l i s T
6-12 months
6-12 months
6-12 months
3-4 Months
3 weeks
1 week
On Arrival
6-12 months
6-12 months
6-12 months
1-3 months
1-3 months
2-3 weeks
1 week
2-7 days
On Arrival
6-12 months
3-4 months
2-3 months
2-3 months
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Distribute brochure
Send PSA’s or other advertisements to newspapers and radio stations
Arrange for announcements in Bulletin
Other
ORGANIZE REGISTRATION
Registration Coordinator appointed
Registration form and information completed and printed.
Registration open. Begin setting up housing assignments.
Registration day organized
EVALUATION AND FOLLOW-UP
Prepare evaluation form
Choose people to follow-up on spiritual commitments and make further
contact with people who are new to group.
Compile information from evaluation forms
NOTES:
1-2 months
1-2 months
3-6 months
2-3 months
2-3 months
1 month
2 months
1-3 months
End Retreat
End Retreat
End Retreat
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Program:
Speaker ....................................... $ ___________
Musician ...................................... $ ___________
Other .......................................... $ ___________
Travel:
Speaker ....................................... $ ___________
Musician ...................................... $ ___________
Other .......................................... $ ___________
Promotion:
Brochure ...................................... $ ___________
Other .......................................... $ ___________
Miscellaneous: .............................. $ ___________
TOTAL ...................................... $ ___________
Divide by Minimum Number of People expected $ ___________
*Add per person charge of Conference Center $ ___________
**Your total Charge per Person $ ___________
b u d g e T W o r k s h e e T
1 0
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* Find out from the retreat facility what is or is not covered in their per person charge.
If you have to pay extra for any equipment or services you will want to figure this into your program charge.
** If you are concerned about keeping the cost so low so that everyone in your group can afford to attend, you might want to consider adding a couple of dollars to the total price for everyone who can afford it. Then use the extra money as a sponsorship fund to help those who really do need some financial assistance.
If you have more people attend than your minimum estimate, you will have some money left over for next year’s deposit and promotion.
“When it rained that Saturday and the outdoor plans we had fell through, the White Oak staff opened rooms for us, offered a movie and popcorn, and made all sorts of accommodations for us. They were just great!
– Keli Holbrook, minister to children at Cedar Creek Baptist Church, Aiken, S.C.
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633 Mobley Highway | Winnsboro, SC 29180 | (803) 635-4685 | (800) 723-7242 Ext. 5900 | Fax: (803) 635-4453
Email: [email protected] | www.whiteoakconferencenter.info
A Note From Tim Hughes, White Oak Conference Center Director
From our family to yours:
White Oak Con ference Center is more th an a retreat center to us; it ’s our home. We’d like to invite the families from your c hurc h to visit and make this – for just a few days – their home away from home and cata lyst for rest, renewa l, and growth. Come relax, and learn. Let the White Oak staff feed you. Leave your household c hores behind for a blessed two or three days. Slow down and unwind. Listen to some good teac hing designed just for your family. Have a blast on the rec field, at the pool, at the lake, around the campfire. This place is here just for you. And we are here to serve you as you seek the Lord and a ll his good plans for your family.
Be our guest!
Tim, Sophia, Seth, Jake, Josh
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633 mobley HighwayWinnsboro, SC 29180
(803) 635-4685
(800) 723-7242 Ext. 5900 fax: (803) 635-4453
email: [email protected]
www.whiteoakconferencecenter.info
WOCC Booklet F/B Covers.indd 4 10/31/11 12:04:34 PM