Know it, Live it, Defend it.

(COMING SOON)

How do I officially register for Equip Retreat?

Group Registration: When registering a group, begin by creating an account in Campwise, our registration system. Once your account is established, initiate a Group Hold to specify the number of spots required for your group. Request student spots for each gender, as well as leader spots for each gender. If you are a leader attending, be sure to include yourself in the count. Submit spot requests for each group separately. Additionally, indicate whether you are "paying in full" for your group, making a partial payment for your attendees, or if the attendees are responsible for their own payments (do not check anything). Once your requests are submitted, Reasons for Hope will be notified. Anticipate receiving an invoice within 48 business hours to settle the deposits ($50/attendee) for your group. Payment options include online transactions through credit card or Echeck, or you can mail a check to our office. Your reserved spots will only be confirmed upon receipt of the deposits; until then, they remain unsecured. After paying the deposit, you will receive a Group Hold Code, which you can share with your group members for registration. They will need this code to inform us that they are part of your group. If mailing a check, please send it to: Reasons for Hope, 208 Sherman Street, Jackson, MN 56143.


Individual Registration: When registering as an individual (with a group or not with a group), begin by creating an account in Campwise, our registration system. After your account is created, you will be asked if you are part of a Group Hold. If you are part of a group, you should receive this group code from your church leader. You will enter your group code and move on with the registration. If you are not part of a group, you can reply "no" and move on with the registration. A $50 deposit will be required to reserve your spot (unless being paid by your Group). All medical and release forms this year are electronic. All of these forms will need to be completed, as well as final payment (if applicable) 30 days prior to Equip. If these forms or payment is not completed you will not be eligible to participate.


Balance Due: ALL balance due MUST be in 30 days before Camp start date. [For instance, if you sign up for Trail's End Ranch in Elkalka, MT, Equip starts on June 2, your balance would be due by May 2.]

What is the age range to attend EQUIP Retreat?

While EQUIP Retreat is designed for students in middle and high school, select college-age students will often also participate and/or return as leader/helpers in order to sow into the next generation of young believers.

What is the cost to attend EQUIP Retreat?

The cost is $395 per person (may vary based on camp), which covers the cost of lodging, and includes all meals for the duration while on campus (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), and all materials for the daily teaching lessons. Additionally, each attendee receives a souvenir T-Shirt for EQUIP Retreat.

Are there any additional expenses at camp?

The only additional costs are completely optional and is only applicable to some merchandise from Reasons for Hope, and there is a Camp Store that will be open periodically for campers to purchase things like sodas, snack, apparel, etc. $20 is usually enough for each camper to splurge on some goodies.

Are leaders required to attend Equip Retreat with their group?

While we are absolutely convinced of the benefits of leaders coming with their students for many reasons, we do allow up to 5 students to come without a leader. Once there are more than 5, we require at least one Adult Leader to attend with them. The preferred ratio of leaders coming with their students is 1 to 10, 2 to 15, 3 to 20, etc. Leaders will assist in managing sleeping dorms with the students, as well as making sure students get to their activities, monitoring proper student behavior and rules, as well as spending quality time sowing into and praying with students.

What do I need to bring with me?

You will be provided with an EQUIP T-shirt. Please plan to also bring the following:

  • Bible (or Bible app)
  • Bedding (sleeping bag or twin sheets/blanket)
  • Pillow
  • Toiletries (shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, brush, deodorant, etc.)
  • Towel and washcloth
  • Sportswear
  • Pajamas
  • Swimsuit (Dark-Colored T-shirts must be worn over swimsuit - boys & girls)
  • Bag for dirty clothes
  • Water bottle
  • Beach towel
  • Tennis shoes
  • Sunscreen (optional)
  • Flip Flops (optional)
  • Jacket (optional)
  • Personal spending money for the canteen store (optional)
When is drop-off and pick-up for EQUIP?

This varies based on the camp you attend, but will be communicated prior to the start of each camp.

EQUIP Retreat Activities include: (varies by location)
  • Zip Lines over the lake
  • Water activities on the 8-acre lake: canoes, kayaks, & paddle boats
  • Swimming Pool
  • Slip-n-Slide
  • Archery
  • Ropes Course (low & high elements)
  • Outdoor Climbing Tower
  • Indoor Climbing Wall
  • 60-Foot Giant Swing
  • Putt-Putt Golf
  • Hummer Rides through the Mountains
  • Mud Hole
  • Horseback Riding
Activities facilitated by EQUIP Retreat leaders: (varies by location)
  • Fishing
  • Frisbee golf (frisbees & scorecards provided)
  • Hiking Trails (maps available)
  • Private Fire Pit
  • Recreation field for games (a bag of recreation equipment provided -- footballs, soccer balls, kickballs, etc.)
  • Gymnasium (full-court basketball, dodgeball, etc.)
  • Human Foosball
  • Basketball
  • Volleyball
  • Tetherball
  • Gaga-ball
  • Cornhole
What is our dress standard?

Our goal in developing a dress standard is to be both modest and practical. However, dress standards can often be a source of tension.


Please understand that EQUIP is committed to protecting your child's innocence and dignity while they are in our care. Unfortunately, in today's society, the "less is more" mentality is often displayed through the apparel people wear (or don't wear), creating the need for written standards for dress while attending EQUIP.


With this in mind, we will ask campers who are inappropriately dressed (wearing articles of clothing not consistent with EQUIP's dress standard) to change. We appreciate your sensitivity to this subject matter, as our aim is to create an impactful, unforgettable camp environment that is free from distractions.


BOYS

  • Modest length, loose-fitting shorts or pants.
  • Shirts with the sides cut out are not acceptable.
  • Boxer-style swimsuit; must fit appropriately.

  • GIRLS

  • Modest length, loose-fitting shorts or pants. Spandex, yoga pants, and leggings are only acceptable if long shirts are worn over them.
  • Modest, loose-fitting tops. Tops should not expose cleavage, midriff, or undergarments. Strapless tops, halter-tops, and racer-back shirts are not acceptable.

  • GENERAL

  • Dark-colored T-shirts must be worn over all swimsuits.
  • Tennis shoes are required for many activities.
  • Undergarments must always be covered by outer garments (i.e. no boxer shorts or bra straps showing, including sports bras).
  • No clothing should be worn that promotes ideals that could be offensive or that are not consistent with the values of EQUIP (including profanity, alcohol, tobacco, drugs, or other worldly ideals).

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Contact 1-800-552-HOPE (4673) to help Sponsor an EQUIP Retreat