HAPPENING #152 - January 31-February 2, 2025
Rector: Nick Spicer (St. Francis in the Field, Ponte Vedra)
Lay Director: Liz Collins
Spiritual Director: Rev. Christopher Dell
Candidate Application Deadline: January 13, 2025 Candidate Registration
Team Application Deadline: December 22, 2024 Team Application
Team Meeting: January 10-11, 2025 @ St. Francis in the Field, Ponte Vedra
LINK FOR THE NEXT RECTOR APPLICATION CAN BE FOUND ON THE HAPPENING LEADERSHIP PAGE
Happening is a weekend renewal retreat for led by youth for youth. 10-12th graders are invited to attend any of our three annual Happenings, and we invite 9th graders to join us for our spring Happening (typically held in April). High school students put together an incredibly moving weekend filled with learning, sharing, and building relationships. Through videos, skits, talks, and more, candidates see how God and their faith fit in with the ups and downs of high school life. Happening is designed to help youth feel the love of God and their Christian community. We hope, at the end of the weekend, everyone goes home knowing how to continue growing a relationship with God and having a group of fellow believers to rely on. It's a weekend full of fun, games, sharing, surprises, and most of all, spiritual renewal and empowerment.
Happening weekends begin on Fridays at 8:00 p.m. - candidates may arrive at 7:00 p.m. Whenever possible, candidates should not drive themselves to Happening. Once they check in, our adult team members will take their cell phones and any medicine and keys (if applicable). After the registration deadline is closed, parents will receive an email with contact numbers in case of emergencies. Candidates will jump right into the retreat after arriving Friday night, and we will grow together as a community until around 5:00 p.m. on Sunday. Please note: candidates cannot arrive late or leave early for any reason. If you need to arrive late or leave early, please make plans to attend a different Happening.
Team: Team members must have attended a previous Happening and be actively involved in an Episcopal church or youth group to apply. Once applications have closed, the core team for the weekend will select and assign team members roles for the weekend. Attending the team meeting and the entire Happening weekend (beginning at 12pm on Friday) are requirements for serving on team.
Candidates: All 10th - 12th graders of any faith are welcome to attend a Happening weekend. Additionally, 9th graders are welcome to attend the spring Happening weekend held in April. You will need email addresses for your priest, youth leader, parents, and sponsor (see more info below). The registration fee for the weekend is $150. Each candidate should have a sponsor who will coordinate transportation, surprises, and more. Anyone who has previously been through Happening can serve as a sponsor. If you'd like to attend Happening but don't know anyone who can sponsor you, please reach out to our Lay Director (contact information below). If you need financial assistance or need help finding a sponsor, please contact the Happening Lay Director or the Diocesan Director of Youth Programs.
Adults who are actively involved in youth ministry in the Diocese of Florida or who have children actively involved in our Happening movement may attend Happening as geritols. Geritols will be placed in an adults-only small group so the discussions are relevant and appropriate. Other than that, they'll experience Happening right beside the candidates! Because we keep adults together in a small group, we must have enough adult participants to form that group in order to allow adults to participate. If for some reason we cannot make a geritol group, you'll be notified soon after registration closes.
Realizing that families have different abilities to pay, Camp Weed utilizes a voluntary Tiered Pricing System for Happening. You may choose the tier that is the most suitable and affordable for your family. It is important for parents to understand that every Happener receives the same experience no matter what tier is chosen.
Our Goals with Tiered Pricing:
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To provide high quality, safe, fun, and inclusive activities for all God’s children in the midst of God's creation.
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To build a diverse Christ-centered community where every person is valued.
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To provide an opportunity for partnership with those who value the impact of Camp Weed's ministry.
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To preserve Camp Weed for generations to come.
We are grateful to our donors for investing in our youth programs and making it possible for us to offer a subsidized rate as well as scholarships. Again this program is voluntary and in no way influences the experience children receive, yet it offers the opportunity for families to take an active role in supporting the true cost of their child’s Happening experience.
Tier I - $150
Partially Subsidized. This is our historically SUBSIDIZED rate and does not reflect the true cost of operating youth programs. This reduced rate is made possible through the mission funding dollars we receive from individual donors and churches who value the impact that the Happening has on children, youth, individuals, and families. This rate makes the Happening experience available to more families.
Tier II - $175
Direct Cost. This represents the DIRECT cost of camp. Direct costs include program costs, food, staff, and camp administration costs.
Tier III - $200
True Cost. This rate more closely accounts for the TRUE costs of running the Happening program. True costs include all direct costs plus deferred maintenance, insurance, utilities, etc. Choosing Tier III gives you an opportunity to help us do more with the donor funding we receive. You help us stretch our limited scholarship funds further so more children can experience the power of camp. You help Camp Weed make needed upgrades and continue to grow in the future.
Happening takes place at Camp Weed in Live Oak, FL. Candidates (including geritols) and team members sleep in air-conditioned cabins.
Packing List:
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Bedding (twin sheets, pillow, blanket, etc.)
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Toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.)
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Weather-appropriate clothing (for two days - and maybe an extra pair)
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Rain jacket or poncho (this is Florida after all)