WINTER RETREAT 2025

WINTER RETREAT 2025

FATHER’S HOUSE
John 14:2-3

GROVE: WINTER RETREAT

Dates + Location + Theme

Located in Goshen, VA, our 2025 ODPC Winter Retreat will be held at Rockbridge Alum Center from December 27, 2025 to December 30, 2025.

Theme: Father’s House
Last year we learned we must ABIDE IN HIM. Now we are invited to be a part of the FATHER’S HOUSE (John 14: 2-3).

STUDENT REGISTRATION (COMING SOON)

Retreat Volunteers Needed

Volunteers can directly register under

VOLUNTEER REGISTRATION (COMING SOON)

If you are a first time volunteer, after you register a Grove pastor or leader will contact you for further screening.

Please note that not all volunteer registration guarantees your spot as a volunteer. If there is any issues with your registration a Grove pastor will contact you directly. 

ALL Volunteers for the Winter Retreat will be required to complete the full set of background check clearances BEFORE they arrive for the Retreat.

Registration + Forms

Registration will open on Sept 1st and close on November 2nd. Space is limited. If your grade is maxed out, please join our registration

WAITLIST (COMING SOON)

After registering, please check your email for your Liability form. One form for each student. No print or drop off necessary.

Registration Waitlist

Registration now closed for your grade? Get on the WAITLIST HERE (COMING SOON)

FAQs

  • Our ODPC Winter Retreat is open to all 7th Graders to 12th Graders students.

  • Secure Your Spot - You can expect high demands on these first-come-first-serve Winter Retreat spots, so please be sure to register early. The registration period will be from Sept 1st to November 2nd for $170 per student. If you are in need of Financial Assistance, please contact a grove pastor.

  • We are looking for member of ODPC (18 and over) to help volunteer for our retreat. The areas of need are kitchen crew, counselors, and co-counselors. Please REGISTER HERE (COMING SOON)

    If you are a first time volunteer, after you register a Grove pastor or leader will contact you for further screening.

    Please note that not all volunteer registration guarantees your spot as a volunteer. If there is any issues with your registration a Grove pastor will contact you directly. 

    Background checks will be conducted for all volunteers.

    When are the Training Dates? 

    • November 23, 2025 (New Volunteer Onboarding @ SMC I 1 PM) 

    • December 21, 2025 (Logistics Meeting @SMC I 1 PM) 

  • For registrations that are currently "sold out", please add yourself to the WAITLIST HERE (COMING SOON)

  • The registration deadline for the Retreat is November 2nd.

    If you need to cancel due to unforeseen circumstances, the deadline is Sunday, December 1st.

    Refunds will not be given after the registration cancellation deadline has passed.

  • Yes, at the end of your registration page you may apply the discount code: "HOUSE25" to receive $10 off per sibling.

  • All those attending Winter Retreat will be required to fill out the younglife on Jotform.

    Due to increased number of participants, we will NOT be accepting emailed or paper forms.

    Your Retreat Registration is NOT complete until this form is received.

  • Do Bring:

    • Bible, Pen, and Notebook

    • Warm Jacket / Sweater

    • Clothing for active games & activities

    • Toiletries

    • Towels

    • Shower slippers

    • Sneakers

    • Reusable Water Bottle

    • Sleeping Bag/Blanket (labeled)

    • An Open Heart!

     

    Do Not Bring:

    • Weapons

    • Ipads, laptops, iPods, mp3 players, tablets, phones, etc.

    • Valuables (Jewelry, watches, etc.)

    • Illegal Substances

    • Alcohol

    • Cigarettes, Tobacco, and Smoking devices ( E-Cigarettes, Vapor products, Hookah pens, etc.)

    • Cannabis and cannabis-derived products , including CBD (unless one has proper authorization and documentation from a licensed practitioner)

    • Electronics (*Except for a portable camera; however, does not include cell phones)

    • Items for Pranking

    *Please note this list is not exhaustive and all questions should be directed to a grove pastor.

  • We will have onsite certified medical care throughout camp. Please be sure to include any information that will be important for us to know when filling out your medical history form.

    If medication needs to be given, or there is a special circumstance our medical staff needs to be aware of, you will be able to meet with our medical team during the morning of check-in.

    Please bring all medication in its original container. All medication should be in a Ziploc bag clearly marked with the Full Name, DOB, and Emergency Contact.

  • Any type of behavior that is deemed to be detrimental in any way to the health, well-being, safety, or reputation of him/herself or anyone else will be dismissed from Summer Retreat. Parents will be required to pick up their students if they are dismissed. Volunteers will be immediately dismissed.

    -Physical, Verbal, Emotional, or mental abuse of another person will not be tolerated

    -Any form of sexual misconduct will not be tolerated

    -Foul or Offensive talk or behavior will not be tolerated

    -Any form of gossip will not be tolerated

    -Non-negotiable items (i.e. illegal substances, alcohol, weapons, e-cigarettes, CBD, etc.) on the prohibited items list will result in retreat dismissal.

  • Please email or questions regarding the registration process or with any Planning Center issues.

  • Want to listen to the Retreat Playlist? Listen to the RETREAT PLAYLIST (COMING SOON)

What Should I Pack?

Label all belongings- Include your first and last name on as many belongings as possible (utilize bag tags!). You’d be surprised how many campers bring identical items!

  • Bible, Pen, and Notebook

  • Masks (Recommended)

  • Warm Jacket I Sweaters I Long Pants

  • Clothing for active games & activities

  • Sneakers I Shower Slippers

  • Towel I Toiletries

  • Reusable Water Bottle

  • Sleeping Bag

  • An Open Heart!

Contact the Camp Staff Regarding Medications – If your student needs to take medication daily or has allergies, please note on your registration.

What Not to Pack?

Weapons, Electronics (Portable Cameras are acceptable to Pack), Illegal Substances, Alcohol, Cigarettes, Tobacco, and Smoking devices ( E-Cigarettes, Vapor products, Hookah pens, etc.), Cannabis and cannabis-derived products, including CBD (unless one has proper authorization and documentation from a licensed practitioner). Items for Pranking.

Non-negotiable items on the prohibited items list will result in retreat dismissal. *Please note this list is not exhaustive.

Drop-Off / Pick- Up Time

The EC Gym will open on December 27, at 10:15 AM for Registration. Please bring a packed lunch. Students should NOT leave once checked in and must remain in the EC building until departure. 

Check-in time (Location: EC Gym): To assist with crowd control, our registration period is staggered by Grade.  If your participant has a sibling or you are attending as a Guest with another Student, please arrive during the 2nd Check-In Window Time. 

  • 10:15 AM - 10:45 AM: Grades 7, 9, 11

  • 10:45 AM - 11:15 AM: Grades 8, 10, 12

Arrival at ODPC (December 30): 4:30 PM (Time of Arrival is dependent on Traffic)

Health Guidelines

 

Onsite Attendance Guidelines are made for our student's safety and the safety of others. Please read through these instructions and questions carefully.

***We HIGHLY RECOMMEND all students/volunteers attending this retreat are fully vaccinated, boosted, and have received their flu shots before coming to the retreat.***

Procedures:

  • Wellness screening at the door of registration

  • Face coverings are recommended for all students and staff

  • Cleaning and sanitizing will occur in high-contact areas

  • PPE will be provided in all major meeting areas

  • Doctors/Nurses will be on-site to monitor student’s health

Please answer the following before coming on campus:

  • Have you had difficulty breathing, a high fever, or frequent coughing within the last 48 hours?

  • Have you been in close physical contact in the last 10 days with anyone who is known to have COVID-19?

Prior to coming to retreat, if you have answered "yes" to any of these questions, we ask that you please stay home at this time.