Can we bring friends?
Absolutely!  Everyone is always welcome and this is a great event to invite your friends because fun is guaranteed. 

As a Group Leader, what are my exact responsibilities?
To promote the winter retreat among families and friends within your community.  And securing enough adults for a 1:5 ratio representative of both genders.  By reviewing the contents of this webpage and checking often you will have all the information available.  Simply forward this web page along to your students, parents, and all their friends.

The only other thing you have to do is to call your church's insurance company and have them fax an "Accord Form."  They will ask you for Camp Zion's information - here it is:

Camp Zion.  12701 Door Bluff Rd. P.O. Box 32;  Ellison Bay, WI 54210    (920) 854-2790   
Your church's insurance agent can fax it to Dale Stewart's attention at (920) 854-2906.

If a question arises or you'd like to express an idea, email our director at rick@ministryresults.org and he will provide accurate information on this website so details are faithfully accurate.

How much is the Winter Retreat?
$125.00 covers all expenses for the entire weekend.  Scholarships may still be available - contact your group leader.  There is a $45.00 non-refundable deposit due to your group leader by the stated deadline above (rate increases to $140.00 after deadline).  All balances must be paid before arriving at Camp Zion and payable to "Community Impact."

How do I register my child/ren?
Sign up sheets should be posted in your church.  Your group leader will complete a Group Registration Form.  In order to be officially registered one must return the Parental Consent Form (available at your church) along with the non-refundable deposit with payment even earlier preferred by your group leader.

How do I pay?
You can bring your money to the church office or give it to your group leader at any time.  The check should be payable to your church and given to your group leader.  They will then submit one check payable to "Community Impact."

Do I have to pay in two installments?
No.  You could write a check for your full payment before the appropriate deadline.

Who should I make the check payable to?
Your initial deposit should be payable to your church and given to your local group leader.  Your group leader will complete the Group Registration Form and return it to the Event Director.  Whereas registrants make their checks payable to the church, the church will issue one check payable to "Community Impact."

Any forms I need to fill out?
STUDENTS must complete a Parental Consent & Medical Form (available on the right column).  These are available to download above and should be available at your church - see your group leader.  Because we have an active schedule things can happen and this form helps us take appropriate actions if necessary.  Obviously we take several preventative measures but with winter activities things can happen.  Simply make sure you have a 2011-2012 form is on record at the church.

ADULTS who are driving are required to complete a Driver Information Form (available on the right column) which is available in the same locations as the Parental Consent Forms.

I am unable to download the Parental Consent Forms.
Make sure you have the latest version of the free Adobe Reader software you can download from this external site.  If you have downloaded this software and still experience problems, call Event Director at (920) 470-8326 immediately. 

Anything else you need at registration?
Do not forget your Parental Consent & Medical Form.  You'll also need to complete a Permission Slip the day of departure as it provides the group leader with a phone number where a parent can be reached on Sunday afternoon so we can provide them with an exact time of arrival.  This slip should be returned when every group departs from home and arrives at Camp Zion - it cannot be accepted sooner because health conditions can change (ie. flu or cold). 

Where do we meet?
The groups will meet in the church parking lot at the time the group leader designates.  We will set up a calling system so that all parents will be called Sunday with an exact time of our arrival back to the church.

Parents can pick up their child at the same place they were dropped off - unless otherwise noted by the group leader.

There is no way I can leave at the specified time.  What do I do?
Contact either your group leader or the Event Director at (920) 470-8326 and we'll work out a solution.  It won't be a problem.  We will do whatever it takes for you to participate in this awesome retreat.

What additional expenses might there be?
Camp Zion has soda machines and a camp store available.  And we will go to a hockey rink and ice-skating rink in Sister Bay.  Skates can be rented (or you can bring your own).  And while you can bring your own hockey sticks and hockey skates, everyone must rent a helmet.  Drivers are required to have an annual state park sticker or purchase a day pass ($5.00) for Saturday morning's tube run at Peninsula State Park.

Rental Rates for Saturday afternoon:
*  Ice Skates = $3.00
*  Protective Helmet = $1.00  (required for the hockey rink)
*  Hockey Stick = $1.00
*  Broom for Broomball = $1.00

Help me with my geography, where is Camp Zion?
Camp Zion is located at the very tip of Door County north of Ellison Bay along the beautiful cliffs along the frozen Green Bay and its gorgeous sunsets.

Will we be outside?
Guaranteed.  Therefore bring layered clothing ands now pants.  (If you don't have snow pants then bring "ScotchGuard" spray for your jeans).  You will want to bring boots and warm socks and a pair of shoes reserved for indoor use.  In fact, you'll want to bring two (2) winter jackets as snow can be wet.

What should we bring?
Bible | friends | sleeping bag & pillow (wrapped in a garbage bag) | towel | sled/tube |flashlight | long underwear | fleece shirts along with a wind repellant jacket are excellent layers for cold weather | sweaters/sweatshirts | two jackets |lots of socks (wool best) | two pairs of gloves (one waterproof) | boots | snow pants ideal otherwise, "Scotch Guard" for jeans | shoes/slippers reserved for inside use only | toothbrush, soap, shampoo, deodorant & other morning necessities | alarm clock | plastic bag for wet clothes 

What else could we bring?
camera | money for souvenirs | deflated snow tube |  ice / hockey skates | hockey sticks

Additional Comments
It is not unusual to bring 3-4 items of footwear:  winter boots, hiking shoes,tennis shoes, and slippers for the lodge.  It is better to pack too much as we will be outside and you want to insure warmth.  You'll definitely want at least 2 pairs of water repellant gloves.

What is "Scotch Guard?"
It serves as a barrier between moisture and clothing/upholstery.  The spray can may be purchased at any hardware store.  Obviously snow pants are best but this is a way to make jeans more bearable for all our outdoor fun. And if you bring snow pants there is no need to use Scotch Guard.  Its merely a way to waterproof jeans.

What should we leave at home?
toboggans | cell phones* | handheld games | CD disc / MP3 players & headphones | radios| CD's | firearms, firecrackers, tobacco products |  By registering you are promising to abide by these minor restrictions. 

*  Parents, because we have your phone numbers on the Parental Consent forms and Permission Slips there is no reason why a student needs a mobile phone this weekend.  In the past they have been abused to call friends back home and honestly we're retreating to the wilderness where reception is poor at best.  If emergencies arrive and we need to contact you we already have a detailed plan of action. Adults will have their cell phones for accessibility but cell phones are not allowed for all students.  This will be strictly enforced. We are relying on you, as parents, to keep their phones at home.  If you disagree with this policy, please call the Event Director.

There is no need to bring cross-country skis as these are available through Camp Zion for free.

What about meals?
No one will be malnourished because they came :o)  If you have special dietary needs please record any specific instructions when you register and we will contact the camp dining coordinators.  We will have pizza later Friday night, three meals Saturday, plus breakfast and lunch on Sunday.  The food is excellent and the servings are worthy of a lumberjack!

What if there is no snow?  too cold? too warm?
We have all kinds of options for whatever the temperature and we are relying upon you, as parents, to ensure your child packs warm, layered clothes and heeds the packing list.  What if it is too cold?  We are very aware of weather conditions but you can still plan on us being outside.  

I have too much time on my hands, give me some web links!
*  Camp Zion, http:www.campzion.com
*  Door County,  http://www.wisconline.com/counties/door/index.html

Submit your ideas and we'll post them for others.  Just email me at rick@ministryresults.org

I still have a question.
Call Event Director and we'll post it online for others who will be wondering the same thing.