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Spring Youth Retreat | April 4-6, 2025
Theme: “Let It Go”
Lutherdale Retreat Center | N7891 US-12, Elkhorn, WI 53121
ARRIVAL & CHECK-IN: Friday Apr 4th between 3:30-5:15 PM. Plan to arrive early enough to unload and stow your group’s gear before dinner at 5:30 PM.
CONCLUSION & DEPARTURE: Sunday April 6th by Noon
WHAT IS A UNITREAT? A weekend-long, youth-led experience for youth in 6th-8th grades supported by high school aged-youth leaders (aka YOU Staff) and adult Uniteen leaders. In this welcoming and accepting space, participants grow spiritually, socialize, & build new and meaningful friendships. The weekend includes both large and small group activities and discussion, team building, crafts, free-time, singing, meditation, dancing, prayer, fun and fellowship, as well as a graduation ceremony for 8th graders.
WHO CAN ATTEND?
1) Uniteens must be at least 11 years old and in 6th grade, 7th or 8th grades on the 1st day of the Unitreat.
2) Youth of Unity (Y.O.U) Staff must apply to be on staff, be currently in high school, have attended at least one previous retreat, and be willing to attend an online teen leadership training class.
All youth must be associated with a local Unity or new thought chapter, have ministerial endorsement to attend, and attend with their adult leader(s).
3) Junior Sponsors: young adults who are no longer in high school, are between 20-24 years old and have attended prior Great Lakes Regional Youth events. Junior Sponsors must drive to/from event with an adult 25 years or older.
4) Adults currently active in (or rebuilding) their youth ministry, and experienced past sponsors/ event leaders who have a desire to support the Great Lakes Regional Youth events! Must be at least 25 years old to be the lead chaperone for a group of youth and/or drive youth to/from the event, AND must have a background check on file with home ministry conducted within the past 3 years. Co-ed groups are requested to provide co-ed adult leaders. Please send no more than two adults per group without prior approval from the YFM Coordinator.
All participants must be able to honor heart agreements, function in a group setting and attend the entire weekend from check-in on Friday through the Sunday closing ceremony.
COST Regular” Registration $250 per person by March 9th
Region-set price includes T-shirt, program materials, housing, and 5 meals, from Friday dinner to Sunday breakfast. Plan to bring additional funds to cover any restaurant stops while traveling. Your local chapter may charge a different rate (e.g. higher to help cover transportation costs, lower if there are funds raised for this purpose, etc.)
WHERE Lutherdale Retreat Center in Elkhorn, WI. Participants will stay in heated cabins with indoor plumbing with youth and adult leaders of the same gender/gender identity. Linens are NOT provided.
TRANSPORTATION Chapters must provide their own transportation to/from the event. Drivers must be at least 25 years old with a valid driver’s license and good driving record. It is the church’s responsibility to check the driving record of adult drivers, which can be obtained with a background check.
YOUTH ATTENDANCE/SERVICE REQUIREMENT Some chapters require youth to attend a certain number of Sunday services and/or volunteer service hours to be eligible to attend the Regional Retreats. Please check with your local Unity or New Thought chapter about service and/or attendance requirements.
YOUTH MEDICATION REQUIREMENTS All medications, prescription or otherwise (except for inhalers & epi-pens) must be secured by an Adult leader or the Wellness Team for the entire weekend. ALL medications must be listed on the medical release form and transported in a clear zip lock bag, clearly labeled with the youth’s name, church, type of medication, dosage and when needed. Youth are responsible for going to their Leader or the Wellness Team for their medication.
HOW TO REGISTER
Youth & Parents/Guardians: contact the person in charge of the registration process at your church/chapter and follow their process to confirm your attendance. AFTER they’ve confirmed you, work together as youth/adult to fill out the registration form linked below and submit payment.
Youth Director and/or Designee in charge of registration: Please follow these steps to assist your adults and youth in registering
STEP 0: The YFM Director, Adult Youth Leader or Designee identifies whom from their chapter/ministry is planning to attend the retreat, and get their commitment (verbal, written, deposit, etc.).
STEP 1: Fill out the Youth Event Group Registration Form https://glr.breezechms.com/form/ab28d82
(you will need a total count of youth/adults so be sure you have that before filling this out).
STEP 2: Send out the individual registration link to your adults & families of youth who plan to attend: https://glr.breezechms.com/form/c711088917
STEP 3: Collect Registration Payment from Families and Submit ONE Payment per Chapter
Either:
1. By Check a. Make it out to: Unity Worldwide Ministries Great Lakes Region; and list Spring Unitreat in the Memo, b. Mail checks to: N1886 Municipal Drive, #162, Greenville, WI 54942
2. Online a. go to greatlakesunity.com and click donate. b. Select ‘youth event registration’ and input credit card information.
***Your group’s payment is expected by the date registration closes, so please plan accordingly. If your payment will not be in by that date, please contact Cassidy as soon as possible.***
Partial Scholarships Available from the Region if the full registration cost is not doable for any Uniteen family wishing to send their youth. The youth director (or designee) needs to apply. Learn more and apply.
Registration Deadline: Thursday March 7th, 2025.
Written or emailed cancellation requests received by Mar19th will be refunded minus a $30 processing fee.
No refunds from Mar 24 on, as this is the date the Region provides a final count to the retreat center.
QUESTIONS? Contact Cassidy Meeks, Great Lakes Regional YFM Coordinator at (406) 490 4459 or yfmcoordinator@greatlakesunity.com.
The Great Lakes Regional Y.O.U. Officers Alex, Joey and Maddie are excited to welcome you to the Spring Unitreat!