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Marvelous Light – 2013 Winter Retreat

December 5, 2012 By

South Haven Area Youth Winter Retreat 2013

at DoubleTree Hilton Hotel in Holland, MI

Middle School: Fri February 15 – Sun February 17, 2013

High School: Fri February 22 – Sun February 24, 2013

Registration Deadline
Wednesday January 30, 2013

 

Retreat Cost is only $89.00*

*Scholarships, Payment Plans, and Fundraising Opportunities Available

“Marvelous Light”

Please join us for the Smack and Snl Winter Retreat this February! All current 6th – 12th grade students are welcome to attend. We are super pumped about our theme this year – Marvelous Light! On this retreat, it is our desire that you would come to know The Light of the World, Jesus, and that you would experience the abundant life and deep joy that comes from walking in the light of his love!
– South Haven Area Youth Winter Retreat Staff

Who Can Go?

Anyone, in 6th – 12 grade can come! Invite your friends!

Who’s in Charge?

We have one leader for every 5 students. Approximately 50 adult youth leaders and another 30 behind-­the-­scenes volunteers (including nurses!) make for two very safe weekends!

The Banquet

One of our favorite traditions every year! This year’s theme is “Formal Banquet”. Wear a fancy dress or a nice suit to our formal banquet this year! If you don’t have something suitable to wear, you can borrow from our skit clothes.

Fun, Fun, Fun!!

Activity options include paintball, laser tag, bowling, open gym, spa time, karaoke, dodgeball, basketball, game room, art projects, tie-­dye, soccer, flag
football, volleyball, kickball, gaga, community service projects and much more!

Hotel Facilities


DoubleTree by Hilton
650 East 24th Street
Holland, Michigan, 49423
TEL: 616-­394-­0111

Every room has its own bathroom with a shower. No student is permited to enter any room other than their assigned room! All rooms will remain locked when not in use.

Special Guests

Adam Locker
Adam grew up in South Haven, MI and is now leading worship at Evergreen Ministries in Hudsonville. He has led worship for many mission trips and retreats and has opened for Jars of Clay. You can download some of Adam’s music on iTunes.

Jolene DeHeer
Jolene DeHeer is one of the freshest motivational and inspirational speakers available today! Her dynamic life stories and practical insight will move you from side­‐holding laughter to heart-felt tears. She will motivate you, inspire you, encourage you, and entertain you. Jolene will touch your life and heart forever.

Travel Plan

  • Middle School
    • Check-In at Hope Church Friday February 15th @ 5:00pm (Please have dinner before you come)
      departing at 6:00pm
    • We will return to Hope Church Sunday February 17th @ 4:30pm (don’t forget to pick up your child)
  • High School
    • Check-In at Hope Church Friday February 22nd @ 5:00pm (Please have dinner before you come)
      departing at 6:00pm
    • We will return to Hope Church Sunday February 24th @ 4:30pm (don’t forget to pick up your child)

What to Bring

  • Bible, Pen, & Notebook/Journal
  • Money (optional) for Offering
  • Socks & Underwear (6 pairs)
  • Shoes (Tennis Shoes and an extra pair)
  • Shorts (running around in the gym)
  • T­‐shirts (3 or 4)
  • Jeans (2 pairs and 1 very old pair to get dirty)
  • Pajamas (appropriate)
  • Banquet Clothes (theme -‐ Formal dresses & suits)
  • Something to tie­‐dye or $1 to buy white shirt
  • Outside Clothes (coat, gloves, hat, snow pants, etc. THAT CAN GET DIRTY)
  • Personal Hygiene Items (soap, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, contacts & solution, deodorant, etc.)
  • Medications need to be stored securely in a separate Ziplock bag with student’s name, name of medicine, and dosage. The nurse will keep all meds during the weekend.
  • Snack: Guys ­‐ beverages, Gals ­‐ Healthy Snack (please provide these in containers that do not need to be returned)
  • Sleds (optional)
  • Paintball Gun, Paintballs, and Warm Clothes (if you choose this as a free time activity).
  • PLEASE LABEL ALL LUGGAGE/PILLOWS/SLEEPING BAGS

Please Leave Behind

  • Cell phones
  • Electronic devices (Nintendo DS, Wii, laptops, iPads, iPods, etc.) These items frequently return home broken or get lost!
    Please leave them at home!
  • Make sure you do NOT pack anything that would cause harm to another person. If any of the above items are found they will be confiscated!
    • Download These Important Forms to Print and Give to Dubbs or Jessica
    Winter Retreat Coordinators
    Mike Dubbink | (269) 767-0994 | mike.d@hopereformed.com
    Jessica Davis | (865) 603-1934 | jessica.d@hopereformed.com
    Filed Under: Leaders, Parents, Stage Window, Students, Students - Parents - Leaders, Trips Tagged With: ,

    Retreat Permission Waiver

    December 5, 2012 By

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    Filed Under: Leaders, Parents, Students, Students - Parents - Leaders, Trips Tagged With: ,

    Prayer Request

    November 13, 2012 By

    Filed Under: Stage Window, Students Tagged With: ,

    Divorce Recovery for Teens

    August 29, 2012 By

    Has your family been changed because of divorce? Divorce changes families but it doesn’t have to destroy them. Whether you are currently in the chaos of your situation or it has been years and you are living in a blended family, “The Big D” curriculum offers hope and help to teens and their families. Teens will learn how to process feelings and hurts and find themselves emotionally healthier in a group of others that have had a similar experience. This program is guaranteed to change their lives. It’s time to stop the cycle now. We pray you join us in this journey.

    Although here at smack & snl, we understand not every family is directly affected by divorce, over 2/3’s of every family in America is affected in one way or another.  It is for this reason we are offering a course to give hope and restoration to teens who are hurting from the pain of a parents divorce.  If divorce has ever been part of your immediate or extended family’s dynamics in any way we have an exciting opportunity for you.  If you have been blessed to have never personally had to deal with that, we encourage you to look beyond your home into your families, neighborhoods, and friends to see if there are others who could benefit from such an amazing opportunity.

    Smack & snl student ministries will be offering a 12 week course called Divorce Recovery for Teens, starting September 23.  This FREE course will allow us to go deeper into the personal struggles and challenges of divorce and bring teens into a fuller hope and healing.  If your child has been affected by divorce we highly encourage their participation in this course; it will be an experience they will not regret. 

    This course will be held on Sundays from 4-5:15pm at Hope Church ending on Sunday, December 9.  We guarantee it will change the lives of any teenager that has been a part of a divorced home, either now or in the past, and will help work through the unique and sometimes challenging situations that living in a single parent or blended family home can bring.

    I am looking forward to this event, because I have seen the pain and difficulties in many teens dealing with divorce.  Many of them appear to have it “all together” when they are around their families, keeping their struggles internal.  I am excited the class will be facilitated by two mothers of teens that have personally gone through a divorce during their childhood and now are living in healthy homes, not letting the cycle of divorce continue into their marriages as adults.  Many teens want to talk to someone but don’t because they are embarrassed or try to blow it off like its no big deal.  It can be difficult for children to talk to you as parents because it often turns into an argument.  Most teens hold onto their pain until they get married and end up bringing it into their own marriages.  Thankfully there is something we can do to help prevent this from happening to our kids today.

    Divorce Recovery for Teens is something that will be relevant and will give them steps to continue in their life journeys.  There will be stepping stones to healing, working through their hurts and stressors, and dealing with difficult topics like forgiveness, change and acceptance.  There will also be fun events that will be enjoyed by all.  I believe these twelve weeks will bring healing and restoration to all that attend that will extend to the families they touch.

    Parents we need your help.  Remember the most effective ministry events are usually the ones that our teens don’t want to be at.  These topics may be difficult to go through but we firmly believe they are necessary in order to have a healthy future.  This course will allow them to feel safe, be transparent, and sense the love of God for change.

    We believe in your teenagers and we want to do all we can to partner with you as the parent, to help your son or daughter overcome this season of their life.  We are on your side.  Divorce Recovery for Teens will be something teenagers in your life will not want to miss.

    Fill out the form below and join us!
    *required field
    Filed Under: Parents, Students, Students - Parents - Leaders

    Leadership 365 Application

    September 14, 2011 By Leave a Comment

    At smack & snl we are committed to help our students develop a Christ centered life that seeks to honor Him with their lifestyle, talents, and skills.

    Therefore, we are forming the L-365 Student Leadership Team, composed of 7th-12th grade students who are interested in serving the Lord.

    For this experience to be a positive one, anyone seeking to be L-365 will need to consider the following requirements, then fill out the application and reference forms attached and return them asap.

    Student Leadership Goals:

    • To help our students develop a Christ centered life that seeks to honor Him with their lifestyle, talents, and skills.

    • To create a team that actively builds a Christ centered environment in our ministry.

    • To teach students our core ministry values.

    • To help student leaders take ownership of smack & snl.

    • To empower students with skills to reach their friends & family.

    • To teach students core leadership principles.

    • To connect student leaders with each other so they can strengthen each other and pray for each other.
    Student Leadership Requirements:

    1. Must be a student who takes living the Christian faith seriously.

    2. Must attend most
    a. L-365 Meetings (you can miss a max of 2)
    b. Wednesday Nights
    c. Retreats and special events

    3. Must be an example in Christian conduct and character. This involves striving for excellence in
    a. Devotional Life
    b. Friendships
    c. Schoolwork
    d. Home Life

    4. Must be able to serve through June 2013

    Download Complete L-365 Application

    Thank you for your interest in working with Youth Ministries. Please fill out the following Youth Leadership Application to be considered for a volunteer Youth Ministries position.
    *(denotes required field)



    Explain how you would discourage/encourage Youth in regards to the following:










    Please provide three references:
    Filed Under: Stage Window, Students

    Mudfest 2011

    September 14, 2011 By Leave a Comment

    (Click on the “Comment” link above to read what others are saying about the retreat and to add your own comments too!)

    Pictures From: Mudfest 2011

    Scroll through 50 photos from this year’s MUDFEST!.

    Sign up for the SmackandSnL.com Newsletter, to receive emails about this and other updates to the Event Pics, Student Page, Calendar, Missions, Shop, Music and more!

    *** Don’t forget to visit the comment section!!! ***

    Filed Under: Event Pics, Music, Students

    Introduce Yourself

    March 30, 2011 By Leave a Comment

    Say Hello

    Click on the “Comments” link above to say “Hi”, introduce yourself, leave an inspirational message, give your Leader props, and read other Students’ introductions.

    The DO’s: Encourage one another, say “Hello” to Newbies, share scripture, make prayer requests, give a shout out to everyone, and just have fun!!!

    The DON’Ts: Please do not post: Last name, address, phone #, or anything that you wouldn’t want God to read!!

    Filed Under: Students

    Devotion How To Fight With Your Parents: Part 1

    March 3, 2011 By Leave a Comment

    Exodus 20:12 “Honor your Mother and Father”

    This is going to be a devotional that may hit home closer than most because as you get older, it holds true – that the parental units (my favorite phrase) sharing your house with you – may never quite understand how this whole world really works. Some of us are very lucky and just get along with our parents. Some of us are of the average folk and have good days and bad days. Then some of us are of the other few that swear we we were dropped off one house too soon. I’m going to advance this devotional a bit to a few years past where you are standing today and try to help you so that you may survive and possibly collect that $200 on Go.

    Here’s the “How to fight with your parents – for dummies” version of how this will all fold out. Ready? Take notes. This might make a few parents unhappy because I’m going to let you all in on a little secret. Actually, a few. If this works, you may be well equipped for that next argument waiting for you.

     

    1. They’re newbs. Yep. It’s true. They are newbies. Never, and I mean never have they done this before. No matter the circumstance, you are the first time they have ever experienced you. So, as many times that they try to convince you they are good at this whole raising you thing- you now know a key piece of the puzzle. This IS their first rodeo.
    2. They are still growing up. Ever wonder how a parent goes from being a teenager to *BAM* – Annoying Parent? I mean seriously, they went to middle and high school once too. They had to of been some sort of cool once. Why do they suck so bad now? It’s because they’re still trying to figure it out. Imagine yourself as a parent. How would you do it? Now add a few years onto your life and *BAM* Enter your parents name here:____________.
    3. They are jealous. Very. They miss being where you are in life, laughing with their friends, drawing hearts in class, poking fun at each-other. They miss knowing what it feels like to care about that polo and shoe brand in style today. The music passed them by and they miss the times you are in now where you get lost in the top 40. They mean it when they say they can’t stand todays music. It’s not nearly as ‘in’ as their music was.

     

    Those are just a few secrets. Imagine you could seriously close your eyes and picture what it would be like to be in their place. Feeling their way around because someone thought it was funny to introduce you into their life without a ‘how to’ youtube account. Life brought you into their world without asking if they were ready. So they cleaned up their toys and made room for you. They turned off the radio so they could hear your voice. They stopped trend shopping to buy you those shoes you can’t live without. The world kept spinning while they slowed way down to teach you to walk.

    I challenge you to think of these first three – of so many more secrets – your parents are keeping from you the very next time you yell back. The next time you cross your arms and scream obsenties in your mind… I challenge you to think of these insights. Think it will help you? try it.

    Filed Under: Devotions, Students, Students - Parents - Leaders