Who can attend?This retreat is open to men and boys high school age and up.
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What will I do?Day 1
Arrive, register, pack in your gear, set up camp, get settled and get to know your fellow campers, eat, explore the island a bit Day 2 Wake up, make breakfast, gather together for morning devotions |
What you will need |
What do I eat? |
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Bible
Camping Gear Cooler with food, snacks, drinks Bug spray Personal hygiene items Battery powered lights Anything else you need to be comfortable |
Whatever you bring. If you didn't bring much then make friends. We're not kidding. Plenty of the guys love to make extra to share. Maybe also join the unofficial best stew and hottest chili challenges and become legends. We still remember the guys who brought that amazing venison.
Things You Might WantFishing Gear
Poncho If you have any extra camping gear, fishing gear, or a boat you can share (let us know) No generators or AC - come on men we're roughing it. :) |
Where do I sleep?
Canoes, Kayaks, and Bicycles are available for rent at the ranger station
Firewood and Ice can be purchased at the ranger station (Don't bring your own firewood from home)
If you forget something the island store has many other items available for purchase
Campsites have ground grills, potable water, picnic tables, public restroom and shower facility
Cabins have 4-6 bunks. If you want to camp/bunk together please indicate with whom on your registration and we do our best to accommodate
An unlock code is needed to reserve cabin bunks. This is so we can accommodate those with medical/special needs first. Remaining space will be opened after that. Talk to Jeremy or your event leader for an unlock code.
Firewood and Ice can be purchased at the ranger station (Don't bring your own firewood from home)
If you forget something the island store has many other items available for purchase
Campsites have ground grills, potable water, picnic tables, public restroom and shower facility
Cabins have 4-6 bunks. If you want to camp/bunk together please indicate with whom on your registration and we do our best to accommodate
An unlock code is needed to reserve cabin bunks. This is so we can accommodate those with medical/special needs first. Remaining space will be opened after that. Talk to Jeremy or your event leader for an unlock code.
FAQ
WHAT DOES THE CAMPSITE LOOK LIKE?
This is a typical state park rustic campsite. It includes space for your tent, a picnic bench, and round fire pit with grill cover. There are plenty of trees if you want to use a hammock instead. And yes, in this state park you are allowed to ties things to the trees. :)
WHAT DOES THE CABIN LOOK LIKE?
The cabins have a screened in porch, electrical outlets, and overhead fans. So if you need power for a sleeping device (e.g. cpap) you're covered. The bunks are twin size and include the frame and mattress. No sheets. No pillow. Bring your own. 6 people to a cabin. If you want to be with a friend put it in the notes on your registration and we'll do our best.
IS THERE WILDLIFE?
Yes. Camping in Florida always involves plenty of critters. Hontoon Island is a state wildlife refuge and there is plenty of nighttime activity. You can count on roaches, spiders, frogs, small snakes, deer, maybe a small black bear, and plenty of thieving raccoons. Don't keep food in your tent or leave bags of candy on your picnic table overnight. (There's a story there) Shine a flashlight on the trash cans as your approach.
IS THERE A PLACE TO STORE MY FOOD SAFE FROM WILDLIFE?
Yes. There are free cage lockers next to the bathroom facility. They are large enough to lock up your cooler and a few other items.
WHAT ABOUT BATHROOMS?
There is a central shared bathroom facility for the campground with 8-10 stalls and 4 shower stalls with hot/cold water.
HOW DO I COOK?
Bring camp cooking gear. Bring a propane camp stove, pots and pans, etc. Use the fire pit and grill. There is firewood for sale at the camp store. We try to group people who don't have all the gear with those who do so they can help each other. We often eat better out there than at home.
WHY CAN'T I BRING MY OWN FIREWOOD?
Short answer, bugs. The camp store sells firewood from the island and they try protect the local trees by keeping untreated foreign wood species and potential wood parasites, beetles, bores off the island. Wood bundles bought from Publix, Lowes, etc. are also fine. Just not wood from the diseased tree chopped in your backyard. :)
CAN I FISH?
Sure. Why not? If you have a license and a pole bring it. We have a professional fisherman among us who is always willing to show you better techniques and local secrets. And yes you can eat what you catch.
HOW FAR AWAY IS PARKING?
There is a parking lot at the landing. From there take the ferry across and disembark at the island store. Then walk 1/4 mile to the campsite or grab a lift from the rangers.
WHAT IF I CAN'T GET THERE UNTIL LATE THURSDAY?
Let us know as soon as possible if you know you will have to arrive after the last ferry run (sunset). We will have a boat on hand to pick you up. This a small fishing boat and it is in the dark so we prefer to limit the amount of late check-ins. Just keep in touch. This also applies if you plan on arriving early Friday morning. The sooner we know you're coming the less time you'll have to wait on the dock.
WHAT IF I CAN'T GET THERE TIL FRIDAY OR EVEN SATURDAY?
While Thursday is recommended, several men come early Friday morning and set up camp between sessions. Saturday? Get a day pass and contact Jeremy directly. Before and after ferry runs we will have a boat on hand to pick you up. This a small fishing boat so we prefer to limit this.. Just keep in touch. This also applies if you plan on arriving late Thursday night. The sooner we know you're coming the less time you'll have to wait on the dock.
Can't come at all? The messages will be posted online a few months later.
AM I ON MY OWN OR ARE WE FORMED INTO GROUPS?
Each campsite will have a group of guys sharing the same fire pit, picnic bench, etc. Once you register, organizers will contact you with info for who will be at the same camp site or cabin and their contact info so each group can coordinate food and other supplies to bring. This is one reason why it's best to register early. You are free to cook independently of course but it's more fun to work together and share the load. If you already have a group or all coming from the same church and indicate their names (or just a group name) on your registration you can start planning together now. If you're alone, don't worry. In the past it has been amazing to see how guys come together and help each other out with everything from spare tents or sleeping bags to sharing food with someone who only brought granola bars.
CAN MY GROUP SPLIT THE COST OF THE CAMPSITE/CABIN?
Unfortunately all registration costs are per person and can't be shared. However once you know your cabin / campsite group you can get together to discuss food/cooking and share those costs on your own. If you don't know your group yet, organizers will be contacting you as the event gets closer to let you know
WILL THERE BE FREE TIME TO EXPLORE?
Definitely! We have a lot of great teaching sessions but we also schedule things so you can get plenty of time to both enjoy the surroundings and get alone with the Lord.
WHAT ABOUT WATER? AND ICE?
Ice is available for sale at the island store. We bring bottled water for you and all the sites have potable water.
This is a typical state park rustic campsite. It includes space for your tent, a picnic bench, and round fire pit with grill cover. There are plenty of trees if you want to use a hammock instead. And yes, in this state park you are allowed to ties things to the trees. :)
WHAT DOES THE CABIN LOOK LIKE?
The cabins have a screened in porch, electrical outlets, and overhead fans. So if you need power for a sleeping device (e.g. cpap) you're covered. The bunks are twin size and include the frame and mattress. No sheets. No pillow. Bring your own. 6 people to a cabin. If you want to be with a friend put it in the notes on your registration and we'll do our best.
IS THERE WILDLIFE?
Yes. Camping in Florida always involves plenty of critters. Hontoon Island is a state wildlife refuge and there is plenty of nighttime activity. You can count on roaches, spiders, frogs, small snakes, deer, maybe a small black bear, and plenty of thieving raccoons. Don't keep food in your tent or leave bags of candy on your picnic table overnight. (There's a story there) Shine a flashlight on the trash cans as your approach.
IS THERE A PLACE TO STORE MY FOOD SAFE FROM WILDLIFE?
Yes. There are free cage lockers next to the bathroom facility. They are large enough to lock up your cooler and a few other items.
WHAT ABOUT BATHROOMS?
There is a central shared bathroom facility for the campground with 8-10 stalls and 4 shower stalls with hot/cold water.
HOW DO I COOK?
Bring camp cooking gear. Bring a propane camp stove, pots and pans, etc. Use the fire pit and grill. There is firewood for sale at the camp store. We try to group people who don't have all the gear with those who do so they can help each other. We often eat better out there than at home.
WHY CAN'T I BRING MY OWN FIREWOOD?
Short answer, bugs. The camp store sells firewood from the island and they try protect the local trees by keeping untreated foreign wood species and potential wood parasites, beetles, bores off the island. Wood bundles bought from Publix, Lowes, etc. are also fine. Just not wood from the diseased tree chopped in your backyard. :)
CAN I FISH?
Sure. Why not? If you have a license and a pole bring it. We have a professional fisherman among us who is always willing to show you better techniques and local secrets. And yes you can eat what you catch.
HOW FAR AWAY IS PARKING?
There is a parking lot at the landing. From there take the ferry across and disembark at the island store. Then walk 1/4 mile to the campsite or grab a lift from the rangers.
WHAT IF I CAN'T GET THERE UNTIL LATE THURSDAY?
Let us know as soon as possible if you know you will have to arrive after the last ferry run (sunset). We will have a boat on hand to pick you up. This a small fishing boat and it is in the dark so we prefer to limit the amount of late check-ins. Just keep in touch. This also applies if you plan on arriving early Friday morning. The sooner we know you're coming the less time you'll have to wait on the dock.
WHAT IF I CAN'T GET THERE TIL FRIDAY OR EVEN SATURDAY?
While Thursday is recommended, several men come early Friday morning and set up camp between sessions. Saturday? Get a day pass and contact Jeremy directly. Before and after ferry runs we will have a boat on hand to pick you up. This a small fishing boat so we prefer to limit this.. Just keep in touch. This also applies if you plan on arriving late Thursday night. The sooner we know you're coming the less time you'll have to wait on the dock.
Can't come at all? The messages will be posted online a few months later.
AM I ON MY OWN OR ARE WE FORMED INTO GROUPS?
Each campsite will have a group of guys sharing the same fire pit, picnic bench, etc. Once you register, organizers will contact you with info for who will be at the same camp site or cabin and their contact info so each group can coordinate food and other supplies to bring. This is one reason why it's best to register early. You are free to cook independently of course but it's more fun to work together and share the load. If you already have a group or all coming from the same church and indicate their names (or just a group name) on your registration you can start planning together now. If you're alone, don't worry. In the past it has been amazing to see how guys come together and help each other out with everything from spare tents or sleeping bags to sharing food with someone who only brought granola bars.
CAN MY GROUP SPLIT THE COST OF THE CAMPSITE/CABIN?
Unfortunately all registration costs are per person and can't be shared. However once you know your cabin / campsite group you can get together to discuss food/cooking and share those costs on your own. If you don't know your group yet, organizers will be contacting you as the event gets closer to let you know
WILL THERE BE FREE TIME TO EXPLORE?
Definitely! We have a lot of great teaching sessions but we also schedule things so you can get plenty of time to both enjoy the surroundings and get alone with the Lord.
WHAT ABOUT WATER? AND ICE?
Ice is available for sale at the island store. We bring bottled water for you and all the sites have potable water.