Men of Grace Retreat - Nov 1-2, 2024

Riverbend Retreat Center, Glen Rose, TX

Do Now

Questionnaire

Please complete the Men’s Retreat Questionnaire as soon as possible AFTER you have registered.

Bring

Required to Bring

  • Printed, Signed copy of the Riverbend Consent and Emergency Info Form - If you don’t bring it with you, we will provide you with one that you must complete upon arrival at Check-in.

  • Bedding - pillow and bedding or a sleeping bag - whatever you want to use on the twin/single mattress provided

  • Towel, Toiletries

  • Clothes - if you plan to play paintball battle, you might want a long-sleeve shirt/t-shirt/sweatshirt and durable pants/sweats

  • Bible - print or electronic - don’t count on great data service, so download your favorite version to your device in advance

  • Pen

Optional to Bring

  • Sunscreen

  • Hat

  • Personal Journal

  • Reading materials

  • Refillable water bottle

  • Coffee mug/tumbler

  • Phone charger

  • Camp/lawn chair - you might not need one at all, but you’re free to bring one if you plan to do lots of sitting/relaxing

  • Discs for disc golf - if you have your own and plan to play; discs are available for borrowing from the Retreat Office

  • Shotgun - Skeet shooting activity will supply guns and ammo, but you may bring your own gun if you like, stored in a locked car

  • Fishing Gear - if you plan to fish in the catch-and-release pond; NO license is required for private pond fishing; there is no place to fish in the river

Provided for You

  • Foam Earplugs - just in case anyone ELSE is snoring ;)

  • Map of Retreat Center and Trails - provided upon arrival

  • Nametags

Get There

If You Are Riding on a Church Van

Meet: at Grace Community Church by 4:45pm on Friday, November 1

Late?: Vans will not wait beyond 5pm — sorry, you’ve been warned!

If you are Driving to the Retreat Center

Address: 1232-C County Road 411B, Glen Rose, TX 76043

GPS Note: Google Maps gives accurate directions, but some GPS systems may not. See next point…

Written Directions: https://www.riverbend.camp/location - follow these detailed directions

If You need a Ride to the Retreat Center

If you need a ride but aren’t able to ride in a church van at 4:45pm, be sure to fill out the Questionnaire and indicate your need.

Schedule

Friday

4:00pm - Earliest arrival at Retreat Center - come early and enjoy a walk or just hang out!

5:30 to 11:59pm - Everyone Check-in at Cabin #2, then get settled into your cabin (we have Cabin #1, 2, and 11)

7:00 to 7:45pm - Dinner in Dining Hall

8:00pm - Meeting #1 in Riverside Room (attached to Dining Hall)

Small Groups Meeting #1

Saturday

8:00 to 8:45am - Breakfast in Dining Hall

9:00am - Meeting #2 in Riverside Room, Small Groups Meeting #2

11:00am - Free time

  • Prayer Appointments

  • Time Alone with God

  • Take a Hike (maps provided)

12:00-12:45pm - Lunch in Dining Hall

12:45-2:00pm - Check Out of Cabin #1 and #11

  • Check out of Cabins #1 and #11 - move stuff to Cabin #2 or to your vehicle

  • If you need to use a cabin to shower, rest, or anything, ONLY use Cabin #2 after 2pm

12:45pm - Free time.
All activities are optional, all equipment provided at the activity location or in the Retreat Center Office near the Dining Hall.

  • Prayer Appointments

  • 1-2pm - Skeet Shooting - located just outside the main gate - shotguns, ammo, safety equipment, clays provided - no experience required

  • 2-3pm - Paintball Battle - 2 teams of up to 10 in 8-minute games - at the Frontier Range beyond the lake

  • 3-4pm - Archery Tag - 2 teams of up to 10 in 8-10 minute games

  • 3-4pm - Zip Line - up to 30 persons; 250 lb. weight limit

  • 9 Hole Disc Golf Course - bring your own discs if you have them, some are available to borrow at Office

  • Lake Fishing - catch and release only - on the far bank of the 3 acre lake - bring your own gear, no permit required

  • Basketball courts, Volleyball courts, 9-square-in-the-air, Ping Pong - all equipment provided at Office

  • Hiking - trail maps available in Office

  • Hang out by the Pond or by the Brazos River

  • Shower in Cabin #2 if you like (not Cabin #1 or #11)

5:00-5:45pm - Dinner in Dining Hall

6:00-8:30pm - Meeting #3 in Riverside Room

Head home!

Questions

Q: What if I arrive late, even very late?

Come to Cabin #2 to check in no matter what time you arrive in the evening or night.

Q: Will there be other groups at the Retreat Center?

Yes, there will be other groups. We are NOT the only group of just men. Our four scheduled special activity times are reserved for our Men of Grace group only. Other open activities/facilities are shared among all groups.

Q: Will I have to sleep on a top bunk bed?

We have access to three cabins with 112 beds, half of which are top bunks. Take a top bunk if you are able, leaving bottom bunks to those who are older or physically limited.

Q: What are the meals like?

Every meal includes a served main course, side options, drinks (sodas, juice, water, coffee, etc.), and a fruit or salad bar. Lunch and dinners come with a dessert, as well! For more info: https://www.riverbend.camp/dining

Q: When must we remove our stuff from the cabins?

We MUST remove our stuff from Cabins #1 and #11 by 2:00pm on Saturday. Move it to Cabin #2 or your vehicle.
We continue to have access to Cabin #2 for as long as we need it on Saturday afternoon/evening.

Q: What if a medical emergency occurs?

  • If it is life-threatening, call 911 and mention “Riverbend Retreat Center in Glen Rose” and then call the Camp Office at 254-897-4011.

  • If it is not life-threatening, come to the Camp Office. The Office (located next to the Dining Hall) has basic First Aid supplies and an AED (defibrillator) as well as staff trained in CPR/AED.

Q: What are Riverbend Retreat Center Office hours?

On Friday until 9pm, and on Saturday from 8am to 5pm.

Q: Can I bring a pet? alcoholic beverages? illegal drugs? explosive devices? a sense of humor?

No. No. No. No. Yes!

Q: What about firearms?

Firearms are not allowed to be carried openly or concealed on Retreat Center grounds. Please leave any firearms in your locked vehicle. If you are bringing a shotgun for use with Skeet shooting, drive your car to the Skeet area just outside the front gate and bring out your unloaded gun and carry it to the activity area. Only camp-provided birdshot ammo will be allowed in your gun.

Q: Are there any dangerous animals?

Two types of poisonous snakes are very rarely seen on the retreat grounds: Rattlesnakes have been seen in camp a couple of times in 20 years and Copperheads may be present near the river and typically hide beneath leaves or in the brush. Temperatures are warm enough at the end of April for snakes to emerge. Look before you step.