Yes! Students have the option to stay the night with their small group at a home hosted by a family of CCF.

The winter retreat is totally FREE. Included in the “cost” is: a retreat t-shirt, a sticker, and all meals.

**Some small groups might decide to grab a snack or coffee during free time, which would not be covered, so it might be a good idea to bring a few extra bucks along if that’s something you’d like to do.

No worries! We encourage students to be there the entire time if they can, but we understand that there might be sports or other events that interfere with the retreat. If your student needs to come late, leave early, miss a day, or something else, that’s okay! Just let Jake know in advance so we don’t think we lost them!

**Please be aware that you are responsible for transportation in the event that your student needs to make special scheduling arrangements.

**Please be aware that you are responsible for bringing bedding, bath towels, and toiletries. These items are not expected to be provided by host homes.

Backpack containing:

• Bible 

• Journal 

• Pen/pencil

Overnight travel bag/suitcase containing: 

• Clothing for 3 days 

• Athletic/tennis shoes

• Warm clothes!! (winter coat, hat, gloves, snow boots, etc.)

• Sleeping bag and pillow 

• Toiletries (toothbrush and paste, deodorant, shampoo and conditioner, body wash, etc.)

• At least one bath towel

• Plastic bag for wet/dirty clothing 

• If necessary: prescription medications (please notify Jake if you plan on bringing any prescription meds)

Optional:

• Digital or polaroid camera  

• Cash for coffee or snack runs

What NOT to pack: 

• Phones 

• Electronics (gaming devices, tablets, or anything with internet access)

• Food and drinks (please do not bring food and drinks into host homes unless permitted by the host home family. However, feel free to bring snacks to the church!)

This is a phone-free retreat. All devices with internet access (including phones, tablets, gaming consoles, etc.) must be left at home and are not allowed at the church or host homes for the duration of the retreat.

Jake’s contact info, in addition to the contact info for your student’s small group leaders and host home family will be provided after registration closes.

**If your student needs to have their phone for medical purposes or other special needs, please reach out to Jake.

General Info

Host homes are an attempt to give the winter retreat that overnight “camp” feel while still allowing it to be local. We’re excited for them and think they will provide lots of opportunities for the retreat to be memorable and fun! They also provide a way for students to get to know families of CCF they might not have otherwise met.

All host homes will be small group- specific, which means that students will only be staying with the age and gender- specific small group they are normally with on Sunday nights.

**Host homes are not expected to provide bedding, bath towels, or toiletries, so please pack these items (see above for a detailed packing list).

Safety

While participating in host homes is encouraged, it is not required to be a part of the retreat. If you would prefer your student to not be at a host home for the retreat, we understand! Here is what we are doing to ensure your child stays safe while staying at their host home:

• All host home families are trusted and involved members of CCF and have been background checked through Protect My Ministry and vetted by the church.

• CCF Youth leaders will also be staying at the host homes with the students in their group.

• Other than those living at the host homes, only students registered for the retreat are permitted to stay overnight.

• Parents can expect to receive specific details of their student’s host home— including the name of the family, their contact info, and their address— after registration closes. This way you know who your student is staying with, and how to get in touch with them (or them, you) in the case of an emergency.

• If you have further safety-related questions, please see CCF’s Child Protection Policy, which serves as our guideline for keeping the children and students of CCF safe at our events.

Transportation:

Transportation to and from host homes will be provided by the CCF Youth Ministry Team. So parents, all you’ll have to do is drop your student(s) off at the beginning of the weekend, and pick them up at the end!

Students with their license are welcome to drive themselves and their siblings, but they may not drive other students.

**If your student will not be staying at a host home, you are responsible for arranging transportation to and from the retreat.

If you have other specific host home questions, feel free to reach out to Jake.

Registration will close on January 28th.