mile·stone

noun

an action or event marking a significant change or stage in development.

As our children grow throughout their lives, we are accustomed to celebrating milestones—his first steps, her first day of kindergarten, the first school dance, graduating high school… the list goes on. These moments and experiences are easy to celebrate and shape who we become.

The goal of Calvary’s Milestone Retreats is to provide opportunities for spiritual milestones to be developed and celebrated in a student’s life, fostered by the partnership of home and church. It is our desire to come alongside families to point their children to Jesus in each stage of his or her life with the hope that they know God and respond with a life of worship.

Purpose and Goal: This is a class for those interested in Baby Dedication that informs parents of the purpose of Dedication as well as presents Calvary's philosophy of partnering with them in the discipleship of their family.

When: Baby Dedication Class is on September 30, 2023 followed by Baby Dedication during service on October 8, 2023

Where: Calvary Church

Love God

Purpose and Goal: This milestone demonstrates to kids that their family values a relationship with God and God's Word. This milestone also emphasizes that kids are able to start building into that relationship, even in small ways.

Leading up to the Retreat: Parent info meeting @ Church

What does this retreat look like?: Parents will plan a treasure hunt for the child with the treasure being a Bible they have picked out for them.

When: Saturday, September 16

Where: Prophetstown State Park

Cost: Cost of Bible for child and park entrance fee

How Can We Learn About God Together?

Purpose and Goal: This milestone emphasizes family worship and learning about God together, both in set times and through spontaneous times hanging out with one another.

Leading up to the Retreat: Informational meeting for parents in January 2024

What does this retreat look like?: This will be a parent/child overnight trip. There will be group activities and games as well as time to dig into God's Word as parent and child.

When: Feb 16-17, 2024

Where: Camp Tecumseh

Cost: $35 per person (e.g. one parent and one 3rd grader = $70)

Learn To Grow With God On Your Own

Purpose and Goal: To equip students with tools to grow in their faith on their own. Parents will be challenged to hold their students accountable to the plan that they develop through the process of this retreat.

Leading up to the Retreat: You will receive a milestone package a week before the retreat. Engaging with the material provided will allow your weekend to be most fruitful. We also encourage you to pray over the weekend and your time with your 5th grader.

What does this retreat look like?: The 5th Grade Milestone Retreat will be a two-day event held at Calvary in our Side Auditorium and around the community. The event will be for 5th Graders and their parent(s)/guardian(s). The first night will be an event called "The Race" where families will perform challenges at three different locations, starting and ending at Calvary. On the second day we will have a time of worship, teaching and specific training.

When: October 27-28

Where: Calvary Church

Cost: $50 per family (parents and 5th grader)

How Can You Serve Your Community?

Purpose and Goal: Up to this point we have placed a large focus on the personal growth of the student, loving God, and loving family. The retreat before this we challenged students to 'make their faith their own'. This retreat we really want to focus on what it looks like to love others.

Leading up to the Retreat: A meeting or two to go over the details of the retreat and some training.

What does this retreat look like?: This retreat is going to be a serving opportunity in the greater Lafayette area or even further out like Indianapolis or Chicago. This serving opportunity may be the same every year or change depending on needs or requests. Our 9th graders will attend this retreat with myself and chaperones. They will be challenged and taken out of their comfort zone as they practice being the hands and feet of Christ.

When: TBA

Where: Likely a mix of Calvary (training, teaching, and worship) and Indianapolis (serving)

Cost: TBD

Live With Intention

Purpose and Goal: This Milestone retreat is the last of the 5 Milestone Retreats. It is also the student's last year of High School. This is why this Milestone focuses heavily on praying for the graduating seniors, equipping them with some practices to carry them into their next season, partnering with a mentor, and sending them off.

Leading up to the Retreat: The seniors will get together with Cy and Emily for breakfast or dinner throughout the semester leading up to the retreat. During these gatherings, they will work through a packet that will prepare them for the retreat. In this packet, they will put together a "Rule of Life" and pick 3 to 5 people they would consider to be a mentor to them.

Once they have narrowed down their list they will reach out to their first person and ask them to be their mentor for their upcoming year after High School. This mentor will also be invited to join the senior on this retreat weekend.

What does this retreat look like?: Two days and one night on a Friday and Saturday with their mentor. At the retreat, we will have times of worship, a potential guest speaker, times of prayer and solitude, conversations with mentors, and more.

When: TBA

Where: Retreat Center like Camp Tecumseh, Hanging Rock, etc.

Cost: TBD