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From the Heart

Blog

SubZero Retreat 2017

By: Kevin Hall,  February 3, 2017

SUBZERO RETREAT 2017!  You may have heard this said or seen this on a brochure at our Youth Ministry table in the foyer.  You may have wondered who this is for and what does the name mean.  The name Subzero is a name that originated fall of 2015 during our Student Leadership Team (SLT) planning retreat.  The Floridian high school and middle school students on the SLT dreamed this name up.  We jokingly dreamed it would actually be cold during the winter months in Florida.  Oddly enough, last year during the first Subzero event, it was, ironically, one of the warmest winters in recent years.  However, the name sets this retreat off from the others and has grown on all of us. 

The Subzero Retreat thought initially began from a joint brainstorming session between our Children’s Minister, Dayle Isted, and me on a way to create a smoother transition from the Children’s Ministry to the Youth Ministry.  I was looking to create a harder leadership challenge for our students on the SLT and so the Subzero Retreat on MLK weekend was born. 

The Subzero Retreat for 4th and 5th graders is a challenging leadership opportunity for the high school students who serve on the SLT. They are assigned to a small group planning team and charged to dream up the theme, secure the decorations, plan the food, carry out the recreation, create the crafts, develop the Bible studies, and create three worship experiences for the 4th and 5th graders of our church and their friends.  These high school students also serve as cabin small group leaders (with adults in the background) who lead them throughout the retreat.  They are encouraged to build friendships and provide a young godly example for the coming years.  These friendships and potential mentorships also carry over into the different children’s ministry activities such as GA and RA events, VBS, Fall Festival, and just, generally, opportunities to connect with the children during the normal weekly events.     

This year, our Subzero Retreat was held on January 15 and 16 at a retreat center in Hosford, Florida, just a short distance from Tallahassee.  The theme came from our students and I thought it was clever:  “Whale you follow Jesus?”  It was a Hawaiian theme, so we had a luau, a whale cake, plenty of leis, and everyone got to wear dad’s Hawaiian shirt to church.  Seventy-five persons were on campus for the retreat: 38 fourth and fifth graders, 29 high school leaders from the SLT, and some adults. 

I asked a couple of student leaders who served on this year’s team to respond to the questions below.  I wanted you to get a glimpse of Subzero from their perspective.  Olivia Cushing is a senior at Lincoln and served as a fifth grade cabin small group leader and served on the decorations team.  Parker Fox is a Junior at Chiles and served on the food and bon fire starter team.  Jess Waltz is a tenth grader at Chiles and served on the food team. 

Why did you decide to commit to the Subzero Retreat?

Olivia:  I went last year and loved being with the girls.  I really feel called to help children in my life’s goals, so I really wanted to make an impact on the children for Jesus. 

Parker:  I really wanted to see what it would be like to help out with a retreat like this one.  I help lead a group at my school, so I was excited to lead on this event.

Jess:  This is my first year on the SLT and I was curious at first how to lead, but excited to get the experience.  My sister attended last year as a fifth grader and she really had fun. 

Tell me about the preparation it took to pull off this Subzero event.

Olivia:  We began meeting back at the beginning of the school year.  We decided what team we wanted to serve on and we began working on all the things we needed to make Subzero happen this year.  My team came up with the theme and decorations.  We really got to do the work to make it happen.

Parker:  We have been working a long time--thinking, planning, and getting everything together.

How did you feel about your experiences at Subzero?

Olivia:  I loved getting to know the girls in my group.  I really wanted them to know more about Jesus.  Jamie Johnson and I got to speak at the GA lock-in last Friday.  When we got there, all the girls came up to me and I believe we had a greater impact, because we already got to know them.    

Jess:  At first, it was difficult to make conversations with the children, but after we spent more time with them, it became easier. 

Parker:  It was important that we had this opportunity to get to know the children better.  It will help when they do come up to the youth group.  I am excited about the opportunity to serve.

How did the retreat schedule work and how did you interact with the other student leaders during the event?

Olivia:  The schedule went smoothly; all the others on the SLT were busy doing their part in the weekend.  I saw everyone busy working and helping. 

Parker:  The schedule went well.  I did not see any problems.  I loved seeing all the teams working together (crafts, worship, Bible study, and recreation).

Jess:  I was busy in the kitchen with my team preparing the meals most of their free time, but what I saw-- everyone did their part to make the weekend a success.  The decorations looked great!

What else would you like to tell us about the 2017 Subzero Retreat?

Olivia:  I really learned from those who helped me along when I came into the youth group, and I believe it will help them as they come into the youth group.  I just really liked spending time and getting to know the girls in my group.    

Parker:  The worship times were fun and just right for the children.  During the worship, I saw the children connecting with the group leaders.

Jess:  Two things:  1.  We really got closer with the other students on the SLT.  2.  My sister, last year was able to start some friendships within the youth group and felt more comfortable when she came up to the sixth grade this year.  She really loved her leaders last year.

SUBZERO 2018 – JANUARY 14 and 15, DON’T MISS IT!

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