HSM Fall Retreat!
You have signed up to be a leader at HSM Retreat 2024 – Nov 15-17! Here’s your 1 stop shop for all the training, logistics, and details. We are beyond excited for what God will do at HSM Retreat this year. We are pumped that YOU will be along for the ride. Let’s Go!
Training Videos:
1. (5 minute) HSM Fall Retreat Leader Video from Justin Thompson!
Logistics & Details:
To make camp work effectively, we need to be on the same page with details. Every Leader needs to have an updated background check 18+ and completed Prasidiam Training 16+ to be able to attend camp with us.
*Your HSM Pastor is ensuring these are up-to-date, if you are needing to complete these items you will receive individual communication.
Camp Location:
Camp Willow Springs, 102 Camp Willow Springs Dr, Littleton, NC
Key Dates:
Parent Meeting – Nov 6 at 6:30-7:30pm at Apex Campus. Leaders are invited & encouraged to join.
Leader Huddle – Nov 15 at 3:30pm. Please allow time for parking offsite and shuttling to Apex Campus. We will feed you at this huddle.
- Nov 15 Parking Details
- Plan on arriving at the Apex Campus to drop off your over night bags in the student room. We will have an early dinner for all volunteers and gather for a leader meeting to go over important info. After the meeting we are going to park our cars at Pine Springs Academy Middle School 1729 N. Main St, Holly Springs and will plan on carpooling back to the campus. This will help with parking come Sunday morning.
- Leader Expectations
- Be Present – Sit with your students during the sessions.
- Lead Your Group – Make yourself available by being present.
- Know Where Your students are at all times
- 2 Adults staying in Every Cabin
- Don’t change in front of students
- Not alone with 1 other student in cabin
- Be cautious of personal space
- Housing will be broken up by Gender, Campus and Grade. Our team is working on keeping all campus & Small groups together in the same cabin.
- Rule of 3 – Never alone and always moving around in groups of 3 or more
- Note: Family Members count as 1, example: 2 Sisters = 1, 1 Parent & 1 student = 1
- Respect & guide students to respect others.
- Students know that this is a phone free camp.
- All camp Volunteers will be given a camp guide that they will ask to keep with them. This will have student info, map, schedule, small group material. Please bring a bookbag that can house your camp notebook, bible and pen. Also don’t forget to bring a water bottle and flashlight.
- If Problems Arise –> Let your HSM Staff or Director know asap.
- Broken Items
- Fighting (No Fighting! Policy)
- Discipline Issues
- Health Issues
- Medical Needs or Student gets Hurt –> Let Nurse and/or HSM Staff Know as soon as possible
- Keep Calm. Give space. Care for Student and get help.
- Prayer & Encouragement Station: During specific times, we’ll set aside a few moments for both students and leaders to write out prayers, scripture and words of encouragement to other students and drop them into envelopes with each student’s name on them. These notes can be as simple or creative as you’d like and are meant to remind our students of the love of Jesus. This station will be setup in the large group meeting space.
- HSM Camp FAQs
- Retreat Schedule for Leaders PDF (Updated 11.11.24)
- Packing List
- Camp Willow Springs Map
- Crisis Response Procedure
Small Group Curriculum:
The Pause Overview:Click link to access all Small Group Guides > .HSM Fall Retreat SG Guide (1) (Updated 11.13.24)
#1 Session Title: Pressing Pause (Friday Night)
- Purpose: To set the stage for the event, helping students understand the big-picture view of why it’s important to seek to know God.
- Main Scripture: Genesis 1:26-30, Hebrews 5:11-14, Ephesians 5:1-2
- Session Snapshot: In this first Large Group Session, your teen will be introduced to the weekend’s theme of “pressing pause.” This session is designed to help them understand why setting aside time for God is important and worth their focus. Before they can begin building habits that make time for God, they need to believe that it’s truly valuable. This session aims to help them see why knowing God and His ways matters and how a deeper relationship with Him can impact their lives.
#2 Session Title: The Purpose of Prayer (Saturday Morning)
- Purpose: To teach students that prayer is not simply a habit or ritual. It’s more than a formality. It’s a fundamental element of a healthy relationship with God.
- Main Scriptures: Psalm 63:1-3, Psalm 6, Psalm 5:3
- Session Snapshot: This session will introduce your teen to the idea that prayer is a vital building block in their relationship with God. Using David’s words from various psalms, the session will guide them in understanding the biblical foundation for prayer and explore some of the “big picture” ways that prayer can impact their lives. They’ll learn both the “why” and the “how” of prayer, helping them see prayer not just as a practice, but as a meaningful way to connect with God.
#3 #Session Title: Prioritizing Scripture (Saturday Evening)
- Purpose: To give students a big-picture understanding of some of the primary roles the Bible plays in their lives, and to set up the application in Small Group Session 3 of practicing Bible study in the Pause.
- Main Scripture: Jeremiah 9:23-24, Psalm 119:9-11, Matthew 7:24-27
- Session Snapshot: On Saturday night, the focus will be on the importance of knowing the Bible, which is essential when it comes to “pressing pause.” While prayer is a priority in building a relationship with God, understanding His Word is key to truly knowing who God is. This session will explore how the Bible shapes our understanding of God’s character and helps guide us in our everyday lives. The message in this Large Group Session will support what your teen will dive into in Small Group, giving them practical ways to apply what they learn and challenging them to see the Bible as an essential part of their faith journey.
# 4 Session Title: Pressing Play (Sunday Morning)
- Purpose: To lead students to embrace their mission of being God’s messengers of the reconciliation that Christ offers to all people.
- Main Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17-20
- Session Snapshot: In the final session, we will bring together everything your teen has learned about the importance of “pressing pause” in their lives. While pausing allows them to prepare and reflect, this lesson will emphasize the significance of “pressing play.” Just like a movie, our lives are meant to be experienced actively and fully. God calls us to live in a way that honors Him and addresses the spiritual needs of others around us. This session will challenge your teen to embrace God’s mission and encourage them to take the next steps in living out their faith in practical ways.
