Wisdom Retreat Prep Pack

WHAT TO DO FOR A SUCCESSFUL RETREAT

Now that your retreat date is set, please complete each item on the checklist below and read the Retreat Overview to ensure the success of your retreat. If you have any questions, please call Youth Frontiers at 1.888.992.0222.

1. READ RETREAT OVERVIEW

2. BOOK A FACILITY

• Reserve an offsite facility, like a community center, church, or synagogue. Try to find a carpeted room.
• Arrange transportation to and from retreat.

3. PLAN FOR FOOD AND SNACK

• Plan to provide lunch and a snack (snack is optional). Brown bag lunch in preferable.
• Plan for lunch time to be flexible.

4. INFORM TEACHERS, STAFF AND PARENTS

• Inform teachers and staff of the retreat (see sample letter at the bottom of this page).
• Inform parents (see sample letter at the bottom of this page).

Retreat Overview

Opening and Games

As soon as the students arrive, we engage them in interactive games. We've found that these games help to break the ice and build a sense of community among the students. We consider this time Òearning the right to be heardÓ on the part of our staff. We know that in order for students to get the most out of the day, they need to first get a feel for who we are and what the day has in store for them.

Retreat Talks

Retreat staff members will give a talk during the Wisdom Retreat. During the Wisdom Retreat, the speaker will focus on preparation for life after graduation and dealing with important life issues. Specific topics include letting go of past resentments, dealing with failure, and experiencing pain and grief as a natural part of life. We want to challenge your students to look for answers within themselves and to see each other for who they really are.

Small Groups

After each presentation, students will meet in small groups for discussion. The groups focus on questions revolving around bringing closure to their high school experience and preparing for the new challenges that lie ahead. Small groups allow more personalized attention to the issues that were discussed in the large-group presentations.

Closing

The closing is often hailed as a highlight of our retreats. This is an opportunity for seniors to begin to say good-bye to one another. It is a chance for them to thank each other for the love and support that they have experienced from classmates and teachers. It is a time to forgive and to ask for forgiveness. It is a time for the seniors to celebrate their relationships and experiences.

Retreat Length

The Wisdom retreat is five-and-a-half to six hours long.  Lunch is included in this time frame.

Booking a Facility

Location Selection

We strongly encourage you to hold the retreat at a location away from your school campus. Retreats at a neutral location are more effective and free from distractions. An ideal location is a nearby community center, church, or synagogue.

Location Logistics

The size and flooring of the room is an important factor when choosing a retreat location. The minimum size room for a group of 100 students is 1600 square feet (allow 16 square feet per participant). Throughout the day, the room will be used for a variety of high-energy, large group games as well as for small group interaction that requires adequate space for students to spread out. The room must be totally empty and free of chairs, pillars, bookshelves, etc. However, please arrange to have one eight-foot table and four chairs in the room .

Students will spend significant amounts of time sitting on the floor. If possible, book a location with a carpeted floor. If the retreat location is uncarpeted, try to make arrangements for carpet squares to be available for students to sit on.

Retreat Specifics

Please notify the staff at the facility that the sound at the retreat will be very loud. Since music is an important element of our retreats, we use a sound system to play live and recorded music throughout the day.

Please arrange to have the facility opened at least 45 minutes before the students arrive to allow the Youth Frontiers staff to set up.

Transportation

When holding your retreat off-site, please arrange transportation to and from the facility and notify Youth Frontiers of your exact arrival and departure times. We also need to know if students are arriving in shifts, as the retreat will not begin until all participants are present.

Please remember that transportation costs are paid by the school and are not included in the Youth Frontiers retreat fee.

Small Groups

One of the most important elements of our retreats is the small group discussion. 

Please provide nametags for all the students and distribute prior to arrival at the retreat location. You do not need to pre-assign students to small groups before the retreat.

Food

All Youth Frontiers retreats have a built-in time for both a snack and lunch. You (the coordinator) will need to confirm the lunch time with the Youth Frontiers Retreat Director the morning of the retreat.

Snack

You have the option of providing your students with a snack, such as a cookie and juice. Snack break is usually held mid-morning. Teachers will distribute the snacks during the first small group.

Lunch

As a general rule, lunch will take place about 2.5 to 3 hours into the day, but we ask that lunch time remain flexible.

Although pizza or sub sandwiches work for lunch, problems can often arise due to meals not arriving on time or not being ready for the scheduled lunch break; therefore, we recommend asking your students to bring a brown-bag lunch. A bag lunch allows the Youth Frontiers staff to stop for lunch at a natural break in the day. Remember to tell high school leaders to bring a lunch as well. Students and leaders will not be allowed to leave the retreat site for lunch, even if you have an open lunch policy at your school.

If you do ask the students and leaders to bring their own lunches, you may want to bring a loaf of bread and some peanut butter for those students who will inevitably forget their lunch.

Sample Memo to Staff

 

Dear Staff,

We are excited about the upcoming senior Wisdom Retreat to be presented by Youth Frontiers, Inc. of Minneapolis. Youth Frontiers is a non-profit organization that has been delivering programs that improve school climate and strengthen student character for nearly 20 years. Their vision is to change the way young people treat each other in every hallway, lunch line, and classroom of every school in America by teaching such timeless values as Kindnes, Courage, and Respect. During the 2005-2006 school year, Youth Frontiers worked with over 80,000 students and educators throughout the nation.

Staff who work closely with the seniors are encouraged to be present; however, there are no formal responsibilities for those who attend except for helping with transportation and general chaperoning.

The retreat is scheduled for _____________.

The school has selected ____________________ as the event location for this high-energy day.

 

Sincerely,

Sample Letter to Parents

Dear Parent:

We are excited about a special day at ______________ School. We are hosting a day-long retreat for the seniors that will focus on the value of wisdom.

Youth Frontiers, Inc. of Minneapolis will present the retreat. Youth Frontiers is a non-profit organization that has been delivering programs that improve school climate and strengthen student character for nearly 20 years. Their vision is to change the way young people treat each other in every hallway, lunch line, and classroom of every school in America by teaching such timeless values as Kindnes, Courage, and Respect. During the 2005-2006 school year, Youth Frontiers worked with over 80,000 students and educators throughout the nation. WeÕre looking forward to a wonderful day of learning and sharing.

The Wisdom Retreat is designed to help prepare the seniors for graduation and provide a great way to bring closure to their high school years. It will also give the students a chance to reflect on their high school years and time to consider their choices for the future.

This high-energy retreat is scheduled for _____________________________ for the senior class and will be held at ____________________________.

We encourage parents and caregivers to inquire about the retreat experience once the student returns home.

 

Sincerely,