A&M Youth
(This info is hosted on the youth webpage, but is open to everyone.)
.png)
Here are the details about the weekend:
Who:
Anyone from our church. Older, younger, married, single, with family members, without family members. It's open to everyone.
What:
A weekend to be with your family and with others from our church. There will be some planned activities and games during the weekend, but a lot of the weekend will be for you to spend however you wish.
Where:
Pineywoods camp in Woodlake, Texas. (NE of Huntsville)
When:
February 5-7, 2027
Cost:
Around $50-75 per person. (See below for details. The cost varies based on what accommodations you want. Our goal is for it to be similar or less than what you would pay for a typical weekend of food/hotel when visiting another town...assuming $125 hotel a night plus meals.)
How to Sign-Up:
Click here to go to the sign-up page
When to Sign-Up:
Anytime between now and January 24. BUT...our rooms are limited...so if you think you want to go, sign-up sooner rather than later. We can likely get more rooms if we need them, but the earlier we can ask, the better.
Frequently Asked Questions:
(actually these questions have not been asked, but if anyone were to ask us questions about the Family Retreat, we think these would be good questions to ask.)
Why a family retreat?
We’re all busy, right? Why add another weekend to the already busy schedule we keep? Well, truth be told, we’re too busy. We need a chance to take a break. This weekend is intended to help provide a chance for your family to be together for a weekend, and give you an opportunity to spend time with other families from our church. There is value in setting aside time as a family to be together. If you’re like many families, husbands and wives meet each other in the driveway while they pass off one kid for the next activity and try to figure out how to have supper for their family that night. This retreat is a chance to have a break from the crazy schedule many of us keep. Food will be made for you. You’ll have a chance to spend time with your family and time to focus on the Lord. And don’t worry, the practice or game or whatever event you have will likely happen again on the weekend after the retreat. And the weekend after. And the weekend after. So enjoy a weekend to pause and worship and be with your family.
Where will we stay?
The camp has 3 different options and you can choose what you'd like. And there are different prices for each one.
1) Hotel-type room - just your family, your own bathroom, beds, etc. Linens provided.
---- $300, based on 2-4 people. Additional costs for more than 4.
2) Bunkhouse - these will be separated - males in one and females in another. Fathers and sons would be in one and women and daughters would be in the other. Beds are bunk beds, provide your own linens or sleeping bag, and each bunkhouse has a large bathroom.
---- around $50 per person.
3) RV site - if you have an RV and would like to bring it, they have hook-ups available.
---- around $40 per person
The costs listed above include your housing and food for the weekend. We will not know the final prices until we know how many people will be going, but they will not be higher than these prices.
These pictures are from the Family Retreat in 2024.
Are there other costs than those listed above?
The costs listed above (next to the accommodations) includes your housing for the weekend and food.
If you would like to do some of the activities around the camp (zip-line, high ropes adventure park, etc, have an additional fee.
A quick word about the costs: We do not want anyone to miss this retreat for financial reasons.
We have full and partial scholarship money available. Also, if your family is doing well financially and can pay more than the costs above, let us know. Retreats like this are costly and we are supplementing quite a bit to make the retreat more economical for everyone. We can let you know the actual amount we're paying for your family to the retreat center if you'd like to. Absolutely no pressure either way - but we do want you to come and be a part of this weekend.
You are welcome to make payments between now and the retreat. For example, if you want to make a payment of $50 (or a different amount) each month until the registration fee is paid, we are glad for you to do that.
What will the food be like?
We will eat in the dining hall for all three meals on Sat and breakfast on Sun. The food is well above average compared to other camps.
What are we going to do?
The schedule for the weekend will be very flexible. We’ll have a few devotionals, some short activities to do, and a bunch of optional things you CAN do. Optional things include everything from games (we might have a scheduled game of kickball or volleyball for those who would like to play, and maybe dominoes/board games available in the meeting room, etc.) There are activities which are available at the retreat center (basketball pavilions, baseball and soccer fields, ga-ga ball, a playground, human foosball, volleyball courts, tetherball, fishing pond, etc.) We might have some challenges you can complete together as a family, if you want to. But for those of you worried about not getting to relax or having your schedule filled all weekend, do not be worried. Everything is optional. You’ll get to choose how busy you want or don’t want to be.
How do we get there?
Transportation is on your own. Get to Pineywoods Camp the same way you get anywhere else.
How many families can go?
We have enough spots for 15 families, currently. But we can keep signing people up until all of the rooms are gone. Because other groups will be at the retreat center the same weekend we are there, the number of rooms available will sell out. If you want to come, sign-up as soon as you can.
What if you sign-up but then can’t go?
We’ll try to find someone to take your place or try to get some of your money back from Pineywoods. Cancellation policies at camps are different than a hotel - so if you need to back-out, let us know. If it's more than a month of the retreat, we may be able to get half of your money back. If it's within a month of the retreat, we'll ask and try to get back as much as we can for you.
Once we sign-up, is our spot guaranteed?
Your spot is only guaranteed after we receive your sign-up form and your deposit. If you need extra time to pay the deposit, let us know. We are glad to allow extra time for you to pay it, if needed.
When will most people get there?
Well, we don’t know. We anticipate some people leaving after work on Friday and heading to the retreat. And we assume most people will head home after worship on Sunday morning. But again, the schedule for the weekend is up to you, so choose what is best for your family.
Can we bring our family pet?
No, Fido and Mr. Pickles need to stay at home this time.
Can we bring a corn-dog machine?
Yes, if you have a machine that makes corn dogs, bring it. Then you can give everyone a free corn-dog just because you’re a nice person and you’re trying to help others have a better day. Most people think corn dogs make the world a better place.
Is there a Family Campout in 2027?
No, the Family Retreat is taking the place of the Family Campout this year.
Can you tell us about the sign-up deadline again?: There is not one, but once all of the rooms are gone, they are gone.
How do I sign-up: All sign-ups are online. No paper forms for this one. Click the link below to sign-up.
Can we pay by cash? How about check? Or by card?: You can pay with cash, check, or credit/debit card. If you pay by credit/debit, there is a 3% service charge.
Kayaks at Pineywoods and 9-Square in the air
The zip-lines at Pineywoods. The Adventure Park is in the background.
Basketball, drift trikes, and gaga ball at Pineywoods.
