2020 Dates:
September 9-13, 2020
Registration opens: July 1st at Noon Eastern time
Location:
Camp Bethel
328 Bethel Road
Fincastle, Virginia 24090
Speakers:
Tom & Alane Waters
Tom & Alane are passionate about seeking God's will for their lives and sharing His love and life changing power with others. They left the popular culture of the day - thriving medical carers and advancement, bigger home, new car and worldly entertainment to seek a real, personal and vital connection with God, realizing it was the culture of His Word and His will that really mattered. Being in ministry for over 30 years, they continue to have a zeal for God's Word to be the light that guides us in our day to day life. They continue to give their all to hasten the coming of Christ and experience eternity in His Culture.
Christian Berdahl
In 1999, Christian and Coby Berdahl co-founded Shepherd’s Call Ministry, a non-profit ministry dedicated to teaching practical, faith-based truths to encourage, equip and grow God’s fold. Enjoying a successful, loving marriage of twenty-three years, homeschooling two sons Tyler (22) and Micah (20), running a full-time ministry while Coby struggled with chronic illness, has positioned Christian and Coby to share from a depth of experience that has afforded many insights and lessons learned. Known for having a grasp on media-related topics, Christian has presented stirring messages throughout the world.
Retreat Hosts:
Registration Information
To attend the event you MUST register on-line. Staying-off campus and driving in daily you STILL need to register, for insurance purposes there is a day guest fee of $2.50/ person/day. Registration fee is not refundable.
Discounted Registration July 1 to August 4, 2020
Family: $55
Single Person: $35
Standard Registration August 5 to 25, 2020
Family: $75
Single Person: $55
Late Registration August 27 to September 11, 2020
Family: $95
Single Person: $75
Sabbath Only Registration with Meals (Register Online)
Family: $10
Single Adult: $ 5
Sabbath Only Attendance NO MEALS (Sign in at Registration on arrival)
Family: Day Guest Fee $2.50/person 3-adult
Single Adult: Day Guest Fee $2.50/person 3-adult
Independent Online Registration closes on September 2nd. You can still register by calling registration coordinator Keylla or register on site at registration desk.
Please check-in at Registration located in the HERITAGE LODGE upon arrival and BEFORE setting up camp. Registration opens at 3:00 PM on Wednesday, September 9th.
LODGING OPTIONS
To see detailed list of options along with photos and campus map, click here.
Bunk in a camp cabin, pitch your tent, set up a hammock for your family, hook up your RV, or bed down in a local hotel. You will be able to choose your lodging and meals when you register. Remember if you make reservations at a local hotel you still need to register for the event after registration opens online.
Per person/nightly Rates *Infant 0-2 years Free Ages 3-12 13-Adult
Dorm Rooms/Retreat Center $14.00 $28.00
Heritage Lodge (Staff only) $11.00 $22.00
Efficiency cabins: A-Frames $10.00 $20.00
Cottages $ 9.00 $18.00
Comfort/Winter Cabins $ 6.00 $12.00
Seasonal/Summer Cabins $ 5.00 $10.00
Day Guests $ 2.50 $ 2.50
Lodging Descriptions: (see site map for cabin locations)
Cabins and Cottages:
RETREAT CENTER/DORM ROOMS Comfortable lodge; sleeps up to 17 in 7 bedrooms. Full kitchen (bring your own linens, dishes, cookware & utensils), 30-person meeting room w/ fireplace & amenities for a small conference; 3 tables; 20 padded chairs. Window-unit ACs. Each 2 bedrooms share a bath; 15 twin beds & 2 bunks. (Rooms 1-6 have 2 twins; Room 7 has 1 double, 1 twin & 2 bunks). Accessible.
A-FRAME HOUSES: BETHEL LODGE A-FRAME & PINEVIEW A-FRAME A-frame houses with 3 separated bedrooms each. Each house has a full kitchen, one full bathroom, and comfortable, eclectic couches. Bethel Lodge has the larger meeting space, suitable for 20 with 2 meeting/dining tables, 12+ chairs. Heated for winter use & window-unit ACs in summer. Cozy and comfortable. 11 bunks in Pineview, 11 bunks in Bethel Lodge.
COTTAGES: BLUEBIRDS' NEST COTTAGE, CAROLINA HAVEN COTTAGE, FOREST LODGE, WILDWOOD COTTAGE, BANDAGE BOX, *WHIPPOORWILL (Whippoorwill’s availability will be determined on a year to year basis)* Efficiency cottages ideal for large families. Each sleeps 14 in bunks and is equipped with a kitchenette, 2 full bathrooms, 4 folding chairs and a small table, electric outlets, window AC units & attic fans. Heated for winter use. Forest Lodge is a fully accessible cottage with couch, full kitchen and 1 bathroom.
COMFORT/WINTER CABINS: DALEVILLE CABIN, FRIENDSHIP HAVEN CABIN, PLEASANT VIEW CABIN Year-round, one-room cabins. Ideal for groups; each sleeps 14 in bunks. Heated for winter use. Electric outlets, window AC units & attic fans. Next-door to the Deer Field Center Bathhouse, Gym and Conference Room. Pleasant View is a partially accessible cabin.
SEASONAL/SUMMER CABINS: WHISPERING PINES CABIN, WILLORO CABIN, and the STONEHOP BUNKROOM. One-room cabins. Ideal for groups; each sleeps 14 in bunks. Heated for winter use. Electric outlets, window AC units & attic fans. Whispering Pines and Willoro are close to seasonal bathhouses (Apr-Oct). StoneHOP Bunkroom sleeps 12 with bathhouse within 50 yards; toilets in HOP Conference Room.
TENTS & RV TRAILERS
RV’s & Trailers Camp Bethel have 2 small full electric, sewer, water(E, S, W) RV hook-up spots with shared spigots and several RV camping areas with limited hook- ups (E, W) & bathhouses. Sites A & B and Front Entrance Sites C1-C8: Dry-camp anywhere!
Per/Nightly Rates:
Tent/Pop-up(as tent no hook-up)/per night /per tent $10.00
Hammock/per night $ 6.00
RV/Pop-up/Tent using (E, W)/night $15.00
Full hook-up (E,S,W) $17.50
Hotel list Click here for a listing of hotels in the area
MEALS
The Cafeteria will only be offering breakfast and lunch meals. They are plant-based (meatless and dairy free). There may be a few gluten-free options on the menu. Breakfast and lunch meal tickets are purchased via online registration.
Meal Prices (check with Elijah Batista for rates this year)
Adult (13 years and up) $10.00
Child (3-12), $ 7.50
Toddler (0-2), free
Independent Meal preparation
You may prepare your own meals at your RV/Camp site or in the cabins. There is a very convenient location called Shelter-by-the-Spring Pavilion: Accommodates up to 150 persons; screened; 13 large picnic tables; 22-foot buffet table; countertops; 2 kitchen areas w/ stove, fridges & sinks; bathrooms; electric; ceiling fans.
The custom has been that on Sabbath a Haystack potluck meal is organized by campers and attended by those who prepare their own meals, so plan accordingly. Bring your own supplies and equipments.
SPECIAL MUSIC
You are welcome to participate in glorifying God’s name by offering your talents in music and song. If you are interested select yes or no on your online registration. You may also email Special Music Coordinator Adis Valera at adisvalera@gmail.com to discuss your music selection and placement on the schedule.
CHOIR & ENSEMBLE
Children and youth are invited to join the choir and ensemble practices. Bring your instruments and music stands!! Practice times will be announced during retreat.
Camp Bethel Rules and Policies:
1. No smoking, e-cigs or vaping. No tobacco, no nicotine, no alcohol, no
drugs, no obscene language.
2. You MUST supervise children/teens at all times in all areas and facilities
including meal times in the Dining Hall. You are responsible for the behavior, safety and first aid of your children/teens and your group members.Cyclists must wear bike helmets. Bikes yield to pedestrians; be wary of vehicles. No biking after dark w/out lighting.
3. No motorized bikes, scooters, ATVs, go-carts, etc. Motorcyclists driving
to camp must follow rules for vehicles.
4. Trash: Place all trash in the dumpster beside the Retreat Center. Thank
you.
5. Quiet hours & Gym CLOSED 10:00pm-7:30am. Music (unless live/ singing) should be inaudible to other guests.
RI’s parental supervision responsibilities at camp:
MINORS MAY ONLY ATTEND RETREAT WITH THEIR IMMEDIATE FAMILY OR COURT ORDERED LEGAL GUARDIAN, who is responsible for their supervision at all times. This is a true family retreat and we like to see parents and children sitting together in meetings and staying together throughout the weekend. NO place is safe for unsupervised children. All attendees participate in camp and in the activities at their own risk. Neither VAFR, its representatives, nor RI accept any liability of any kind whatsoever, regardless of the manner in which such liability may have arisen.
Restoration International is a supporting ministry of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The focus of Family Retreat is for the personal Christian walk, marriage, and family. To avoid distractions, no printed or electronic information outside of what Restoration International provides may be distributed on campus.
2020 Family Retreat Theme Song:
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Family Retreats are funded by freewill offerings. Please consider making a one time or recurring contribution here online. Go to the Support page.
VAFR 2017
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VAFR 2014 - 20th Year Slideshow
Family Retreat in 7 minutes!
(Used to be called Family Campmeeting)