Who Can Attend?
Do you…
- Support homeschooling?
- Need a break?
- Want to meet other families like yours?
- Prefer a retreat where the whole family can do things together?
If any of the above apply to you, you should be there!
Why Should My Family Attend?
Fall Family Retreat is a unique intersection of fellowship, inspiration, information and fun. The weekend provides many opportunities to relax, recharge for and recommit to your homeschool journey.
Your family will also benefit from a fantastic speaker. This year, CAPE welcomes Steve Thornberg from the Alpha Omega Institute.
What does Fall Family Retreat look like?
Cost
The total cost depends on the accommodations, food options and activities you choose and can vary based on family size. The Retreat is CAPE’s gift to you – there are no additional fees outside of Sacramento’s regular rates.
Food
Sacramento is known for its delicious meals and if you choose meals during your stay, you will not return home hungry. Their cinnamon rolls are famous throughout the state, and you’ll find a variety of full-bellied meals with salad bar, fruit, a variety of cold drinks, coffee bar and desserts three times a day.
You are welcome to bring your own food and share meals with everyone else in the Dining Hall during the Retreat (and you really should – the Dining Hall is a remarkable meeting place).
Food allergies or other restrictions can be accommodated by the kitchen with at least a two-week notice.
There will also be a full kitchen available if you need food preparation facilities. Please contact Erin at retreat@cape-nm.org for those details.
Lodging
Sacramento has a variety of lodging options. You can choose between a motel-style experience, dorm room bunk beds, family rooms, RV’s or even tent camping. Large common areas are also available with fireplaces, small kitchenettes (with full-sized refrigerators, microwaves and a sink), extra bathrooms, tv areas, plenty of seating and board games.
Big families often encounter problems with lodgings – you can get a decent rate but need multiple rooms. When you look at the pricing list, you might ask – do the 7 people in your family fit into one room? NO! Sacramento will give you enough beds and rooms for everyone in your family at the family max rate listed for your accommodation. In this example, 7 people would receive 2 motel-style rooms and a total of four queen-size beds and two bathrooms. Your total lodging cost would be $310. That’s like getting the second room for free.
Roll-out beds, cribs and other resources for your family are available upon request.
Schedule
There’s a fine line to walk between a schedule that is just right and one that is overwhelming. We think we’ve found the perfect blend. There are opportunities for you, your spouse and your children, individually and collectively, to flourish throughout the weekend.
Worship, insightful talks from our speaker, a separate men and women’s session, lots of time to fellowship and a full afternoon of activities – even if that’s just taking a nap with the kids in your room – are mainstays of our Retreat.
Children’s Program
The Children’s Program is run by trusted and experienced homeschooled teenagers. It is available during Friday and Saturday sessions and is geared to kids 12 and under. Think of it as a weekend VBS-style program.
Other teenagers attending the Retreat can help with the Children’s Program. It’s always fun – scavenger hunts, hula hoops and lots of running around have been popular in the past.
Children are welcome to stay with their parents if they wish. We do ask that all minor children either attend the Children’s Program or stay with their parents during the sessions.
Teens
What can a young man or woman do during the Retreat?
Besides helping with the Children’s Program, our teens are often found in the game room, paddling in boats on the pond, playing gaga ball on the field and enjoying a movie night with other teenagers.
Sacramento’s activities are always a big hit for our older kids, and the Retreat is a great opportunity for friendships to form. We’ll also have a small number of jobs that we need help with – things like running the soundboard or helping with set-up or clean-up.
Other Questions
If your questions haven’t been answered here, check the Sacramento Information Packet or Sacramento website for more details about lodging, food and much more (pictures are included). If you have additional questions, please email Erin at retreat@cape-nm.org.