We hope you’re getting excited for our third annual All-Church Retreat! Below you will find various details about the weekend and our retreat site. We hope this will answer any questions you may have about our time together. The retreat registration deadline is May 15. Feel free to contact Mary Ann Hudson if you have questions or would like more information (or to check and see if there or any spots available if inquiring after May 15!).
RETREAT SCHEDULE
Friday, May 25th
1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Arrive
6:00 – 7:00 p.m. | Dinner
7:15 p.m. | Session #1 (Kids Ministry Provided)
9:00 p.m. | S’mores
Saturday, May 26th
8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. | Breakfast
10:00 a.m. | Session #2 (Kids Ministry Provided)
11:45 a.m. | Group Activity
12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. | Lunch
1:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. | Free Time (Childcare Available 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.)
6:00 – 7:00 p.m. | Dinner
7:15 p.m. | Session # 3 (Kids Ministry Provided)
9:00 p.m. | Optional Evening Activities
Sunday, May 27th
8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. | Breakfast
10:30 a.m. | Session #4 (Kids Ministry Provided)
12:30 – 1:30 p.m. | Lunch
2:00 p.m. | Depart
FOOD
All meals will be provided at no additional charge by the retreat center. We will also have coffee, tea, and snacks available during the sessions. We will make every effort to accommodate any food allergies or preferences. Please let us know as soon as possible about any special requests by emailing maryann@hallowschurch.org.
ACTIVITIES AVAILABLE
So many options this year for our free time! Wander down to the beach area on Lake Whatcom to enjoy waterfront activities (weather dependent) including swimming, water skiing, paddle boats, and sea kayaks.
If you prefer to be on land, start up a game of volleyball, Frisbee golf, soccer or basketball. Bellingham also has many great coffee shops, local hikes and kids activities to offer!
SATURDAY FREE TIME OPTIONS
- 1:30 – 6:00 pm: Waterfront activities include swimming, tubing, paddle boats, sea kayaks, playing in the sand, and more. The waterfront will be open from 1:30 pm – 6:00 pm on Saturday; lifeguards will be available during that time. Life jackets will be provided and are required while swimming or boating. No swimming or using the equipment except for scheduled times. If you are interested in boating with a group, please meet Austin Briggs at the waterfront at 2:00. Activity Lead: Austin Briggs | 425.443.9605
- 2:00 – 3:00 pm: Nerf Game! Adults and kids are invited to play. Meet at the playground at 2:00 p.m. Activity Lead: Mark Smith | 206.920.6548
- 3:30 – 5:30 pm: Childcare available! Children 3 years and under – Alder Room; Children 4 years and older – Cedar Room. Activity Lead: Liz Cooper | 979.235.9917
- 3:30 – 5:30 pm: Easy to moderate hike (4 miles round trip) at Whatcom Falls Park. Meet at 3:30 pm at the Pavilion. Activity Lead: Jen Foxley | 360.850.8141
- 4:00 – 5:00 pm: Pick-up Basketball game. Meet on the Sports Court at 4:00. Activity Lead: John Sakanashi | 206.485.8539
- “The Getaway” will be open throughout free time. This space includes games such as pool and fuseball and is a great place to play board games or just relax indoors.
- Explore all that Bellingham has to offer (coffee shops, Perch and Play indoor kids playground, Whatcom Falls Park, and more!)
DRIVING DIRECTIONS
The Firs Retreat Center is located at 4605 Cable Street, Bellingham, WA, 98229 (approximately 1.5 hours from downtown Seattle).
- From Seattle, take I-5 N to exit 246 (North Lake Samish)
- Turn left onto S. Samish Way; continue 2.3 miles
- Turn right onto Yew Street Road; continue 2.1 miles
- Continue straight onto Yew Street for 0.7 miles
- Turn right onto Lakeway Drive; continue 1.7 miles
- Continue straight onto Terrace Ave. N. for 0.2 miles
- Continue straight onto Cable street for 0.3 miles; the destination will be on your left
*Please remember to adjust travel time if traveling during Friday rush hour.
**If you are interested in carpooling, please visit our Group Carpool site to sign up. You can either ADD yourself as a driver, JOIN a carpool, or JOIN the wait list (if no carpools are available).
KIDS MINISTRY
We are excited to offer a kids tract during the main session times! A mission team from Brazos Pointe Fellowship will be providing a wonderful, gospel-centered experience for our kids during the retreat. All volunteers will be background checked by The Hallows Church, and all of our standard policies and procedures will be in place (including check-in and our restroom/diaper changing policy). We will also have a time of (optional) childcare on Saturday afternoon during free time. Hopefully this will allow parents to enjoy some kid-free time with other adults!
WHAT TO BRING
- Toiletries, clothing and personal items
- Flash light
- Board games and field games (spike ball, Frisbee, etc.)
- Bible, pen, personal snacks and water bottle
- Pack n plays for those who need them
- Clothing for free time activities (swimsuits, clothing for water activities, hiking boots, etc.)
SLEEPING ARRANGEMENTS
The entire retreat center is reserved for The Hallows Church and the living spaces are closer together and improved for all life stages this year! All sheets, linens and towels will be provided. Families with children will have a small cabin with a private bath (we will make sure there are enough beds for each person in your family!). Married couples and singles will be in a lodge just next to the cabins.
COST
The cost for the weekend is $125 for adults and $50 for children over the age of 3, with a family max of $300. The cost includes food and housing for the weekend. You can register online by following the event link on our homepage of hallowschurch.org. If you need financial assistance, please don’t let it hinder you from enjoying this weekend of teaching, rest, & community. For more info, or if you are willing to contribute towards a scholarship for someone else, please contact maryann@hallowschurch.org for details.
