What is Mid-Winter, and what will we do there? Mid-Winter is an annual retreat for students in the Central Texas Conference, traditionally held every February. Your youth group may choose from two separate weekends (Friday 7 pm through Sunday 11 am.) Youth groups from all over the Conference will converge in one location to further their relationship with Jesus through dynamic speakers, celebratory music, thought-provoking small group discussions, and intentional worship centering around the weekend theme. Group games and free time sessions offer the opportunity to make friends from other churches, and to renew friendships from past Mid-Winters.
When is Mid-Winter? January 31-February 2, 2020 or February 14-16, 2020.
Where will it be held? Mid-Winter is at Glen Lake Camp and Retreat Center, Glen Rose, TX.
What are the start and end times? Check-in on Friday is at 7 p.m.; dismissal on Sunday is at 11 a.m.
How will we get there? Each group is responsible for their own transportation to and from Mid-Winter.
Who can go?
- Youth in grades 6-12 (as of February 2020)
- Adults 21 and over who have completed the five steps of MinistrySafe through their local church. Groups need to bring at least 2 adults for every 10 students. If your group includes both boys and girls, you must bring at least one male and one female adult. Your group will be required to submit a MinistrySafe Compliance Form two weeks prior to the event.
How do we register? Our website page, https://www.ctcumc.org/mid-winter-2020, contains all the registration links and downloadable forms (i.e. Medical Release and Liability Form).
- Group Leaders (Youth Director, Youth Leader, etc.) will register their groups beginning September 6, 2019. Group Registration allows Conference Council on Youth Ministries (CCYM) to make initial plans and preparations for Mid-Winter, and for the Central Texas Conference office to communicate directly with Group Leaders. Group Registration does not require a deposit and does not reserve a number of spots for your group.
- Individual Registration (for all participants, whether youth or adults) opens November 8, 2019. Select the link for the Mid-Winter session your group plans to attend (verify the session with your Group Leader). You may pay online, or mail your payment to the CTC*. Please do not mail your payment directly to Glen Lake Camp.
- Individual Registration for Mid-Winter 1 closes January 22, 2020, (register by January 3, 2020, to qualify for Early Bird rate), and Individual Registration for Mid-Winter 2 closes February 5, 2020, (register by January 17, 2020, to qualify for Early Bird rate).
- Individual Participants are encouraged to register early to guarantee your spot. Individual Registration is first-come, first-served until capacity is reached.
- All participants should download the CTC Medical Release and Liability Form, and return it, completed and signed, to your Group Leader as soon as possible. When your group checks in, your Group Leader will turn in a form for each participant (keeping a copy of each for him/herself). This does not need to be notarized.
- All participants should also download the Glen Lake Medical Release and Liability Form, and return it to your Group Leader as soon as possible. This does not need to be notarized.
How much does the Mid-Winter Retreat cost? $100 for Early Bird rate (see above for registration deadlines to qualify), and $125 Regular rate. Individual Registration fees are non-refundable.
What is included in the cost? Do we need to bring additional spending money? Your fee covers lodging, curriculum and supplies, our worship band, a 2020 Mid-Winter t-shirt, and **meals while at the camp (Saturday breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and Sunday breakfast). You may wish to bring additional spending money to purchase snacks, to shop in the Camp Store (it is only open for brief times during the weekend), if you wish to purchase bracelets benefitting Threads of Hope and Youth Service Fund, donate directly to the Youth Service Fund, or if your group notifies you to bring money for Friday night and/or Sunday afternoon meal.
Where will we sleep? Everyone will sleep in cabins at Glen Lake Camp. Participants will be assigned to cabins based on church and sex, with at least two non-related adults of the same gender in the cabin. The cabins are modern, with electricity, showers, bathrooms, and heating/air. Participants will sleep in individual twin size bunk beds.
What do we bring? Before Mid-Winter, your Group Leader will be emailed a detailed “What to Bring” list to distribute to members of your group (this will also be available on the Mid-Winter web page). For now, plan on weather-appropriate clothing for two days, hygiene items, and twin-sized sleeping bag or twin-sized bedding for individual use. Remember you will receive a Mid-Winter t-shirt to wear on Sunday! *Note: If you plan to bring electronics or other expensive items, please remember neither Central Texas Conference nor Glen Lake Camp is responsible for lost or stolen property.
Is there a theme? Yes! The theme for Mid-Winter 2020 is “Focus.”
What is the Cell Phone Policy? Cell phones may be brought to Mid-Winter, but must be left in the cabins. This means they must not be in use or on one’s person when students are outside of cabins. Students will be in their cabins from bedtime to morning, and during a brief break in the afternoon.
What is the Medication Policy? Churches should follow their local church medication procedure. Group Leaders (i.e. Youth Director, Youth Leader, etc.) will be responsible for the group’s medications. Central Texas Conference will not dispense medications (prescription or over-the-counter). All medications must be in a locked, secure location. Please contact Claire Condrey at clairecondrey@ctcumc.org with any questions.
*Central Texas Conference, 3200 E. Rosedale St., Fort Worth, TX, 76105.
**Notify Claire Condrey no more than 8 days before your Mid-Winter session if you or any of your participants will require accommodation for gluten allergies, or diabetic or vegetarian diet.
Please CLICK HERE for a PDF of Mid-Winter 2020 FAQs