Due to Covid-19 restrictions, Camp Jackson has decided to close for the entire summer.  That’s the bad news. But we have good news – there’s a plan B!  We are planning a mini retreat that we will do locally in Appling.  Since we just received the news that our camp has closed, we don’t have a complete schedule for you just yet, but here is what the Appling version of the 5th & 6th Grade Retreat will look like: Friday, Sept 18 from 6-10:15 pm – Cookout, Teaching Session 1, Small Groups, and Retreat Games. (German Spotlight and Laser Tag) We’ll finish out our night with a Bonfire and Smores Saturday, Sept 19 from 9 am 9:30 pm – Retreat Games, Crafts, Lunch, Swimming, Water Slides, Movie and Popcorn, Teaching Session 2, Small Groups, Inflatable Obstacle Course, and a Color Run. For The Retreat, will be meeting at our church Pavilion on Friday night and Saturday activities will rotate between our Church Campus, Pavilion and the Pollard Family Home in Appling for swimming and water slides.  We will be using the church bus on Saturday and will transport children in groups to abide by the 6 ft. Social Distancing Guidelines. Registration cost has been reduced to $20.  If you have already registered and paid the original $45 fee, we will be issuing you a refund. Although we would really like to include a “spend the night” option in our retreat schedule, Covid-19 guidelines are preventing us from feeling like that is doable this year.  As an alternative, parents might want to consider hosting one or two 5th & 6th graders that their child is friends with at their home on the Friday night of the Retreat for a sleepover. It is our hope that you will encourage your child to be a part of The Retreat even though we are not going to camp.  We have seen for many years now the relational and spiritual benefit of our 5th & 6th graders having a time devoted specifically to their age and stage of life.  If you have any questions, please feel free to call or e-mail me at 706-541-1086 or sherry@kiokee.org.  I look forward to seeing your child on Fri, Sept. 18!