Youth & Young Adult Ministry                        ymstmad@nycap.rr.com

 July 24, 2008

 Dear Parent(s)/Guardian(s),

 We hope that you are still enjoying the remaining days of summer!  It’s hard to believe that September is right
around the corner.  Although November seems a long way off, planning is already underway for the tenth grade
Confirmation retreat.  This year’s retreat will be held the weekend of November 7 - 9, 2008, at Camp Pinnacle, a
beautiful location in the hills outside of Voorheesville.  This retreat promises to be an energizing, uplifting
experience for your son/daughter.  It is very well organized; every minute is planned in advance!  Due to space
constraints, we are limited to take only the first 60 youth who register.  Our other retreat option will be a retreat day
at our Parish Center, 12:30 – 8:30pm, Sunday, January 11, 2009.  Those not registering for the retreat at Pinnacle
will receive additional information and a registration form the Parish Center retreat.

The cost for the weekend is $150, which includes all meals, lodging, and materials for the weekend.  Since the
parish is required to sign a contract with Camp Pinnacle, and provide a down payment, based on the number
of youth attending, we ask that you please send us a $75.00 non-refundable deposit by Tuesday, September 2. 
Please make your check payable to St. Madeleine Sophie Church, and mail it to the address above, attn. Laura
Conroy.  If you would like to pay for the retreat in full at this time, it will be gladly accepted.  However, the
remaining $75.00 balance must be received no later than October 1.  It is critical that these two deadlines be
honored, as we are under contract with Pinnacle, and the number of retreat team members is based upon the number
of 10th graders on the retreat.  Please complete and return the enclosed “Release & Consent Form” along with your
$75.00 deposit.

 

Your son/daughter will need a ride to Camp Pinnacle on Friday evening, and a ride from Camp to St. Madeleine
Sophie on Sunday for a closing ceremony at 2pm, for 10th graders and their families.  Arrival time is Friday
evening at 7pm, and pick-up time is Sunday at 1:15pm.  It is approximately 19 miles from Church to Camp. 
Please note that the closing ceremony is NOT a Mass.  Tenth graders will attend Mass Saturday evening during the
retreat.  Parents and other family members may attend one of the regular weekend Masses.  The closing ceremony
here at Church provides a glimpse for parents and family members, into the 10th graders’ retreat experience.  It will
mean a great deal to your son/daughter if you are present! Please try to attend.

 A special letter to your son/daughter is included in this mailing, as well as information on what to pack for the
weekend.  Please review this list to help ensure your son/daughter is well prepared to have a great weekend!  We
also ask your help to make sure youth wear clothing appropriate for a retreat.  The weekend will include outdoor
activities, so warm jackets, gloves, etc., are a must!

 If you have any questions about the retreat, please give me a call at the above number.  May God bless you & your
family during the remaining days of summer & into the new school year!

Sincerely,

Laura Conroy                                            Sr. Marilyn Hickey, RSM and Sr. Sheila Christensen, RSM

Youth & Young Adult Minister                 Pastoral Associates for Faith Formation

 Enclosures (4): Medical Consent Form       Packing Checklist                       
                        Youth Letter                      Directions to Camp Pinnacle

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                                                               Youth & Young Adult Ministry                        ymstmad@nycap.rr.com

July 24, 2008

Dear Tenth Grader,

Hope you are having a wonderful summer!  It is hard to believe how fast the time is going, and that August
begins next week!  Believe it or not, it is time to start thinking ahead to the Confirmation Retreat, which will
be held during the weekend of November 7 - 9 at Camp Pinnacle, a beautiful location outside of
Voorheesville.  The retreat begins at 7pm Friday, November 7, and ends with a closing ceremony here at
St. Madeleine Sophie, on Sunday, November 9.  You will need transportation to Camp Pinnacle on
Friday evening, and from Camp Pinnacle to church, at 1:15, Sunday afternoon, where there will be a
closing ceremony for you and your family.  This ceremony is a very important part of the retreat experience;
we hope your family will join us for this special celebration of the retreat experience.

 The cost for the weekend is $150.00.  This includes meals, lodging, and materials needed for the retreat.  We
are asking for a $75.00 non-refundable deposit by Tuesday, September 2.  (Note: Dinner is not included,
Friday evening; please eat before arriving.) The remaining balance must be paid in full by October 1.

 To assist you in preparing to have a great retreat experience, enclosed is a checklist of items to bring with you. 
We ask that you not bring electronic devices such as radios, walkmans, I-pods, CD/DVD players, etc.  Since
people use these items individually, they detract from the community building we hope you experience over
the weekend.  Also note that cell phone reception at Pinnacle is very limited.  We will have access to a land-
line phone, in case of emergency, but, it is best to leave cell phones at home.

 Know that Sisters, the Retreat Team and I look forward to this weekend each year!  If this is your first
weekend retreat, you’ll be surprised at how much you will enjoy it, if you are OPEN to the experience!  Come,
expecting to have a great time, and you WILL have a great time.

 Please do not hesitate to contact me at the above phone #/e-mail address if you or your family have any
questions or if I can provide additional information about the retreat.  Enjoy the rest of your vacation. 
Blessings as you prepare to begin a new school year!  See you soon!

Sincerely,

Laura Conroy
Youth & Young Adult Minister

Enclosures (4): Medical Consent Form             Packing Checklist
                        Parent Letter                            Directions to Camp Pinnacle

 

PINNACLE PACKING LIST

 REMINDERS:  weather permitting, we WILL be outside for activities during the weekend!

 Please be sure all clothing choices are modest, comfortable and appropriate for a retreat that has both indoor and outdoor activities!

 Clothing                                                   Have              

 Pants (Jeans, sweats…comfortable!)                            o

 Shirts                                                                             o                                                      

 Socks                                                                             o

 Sneakers                                                                        o

 Gloves                                                                           o

 Warm Jacket                                                                 o

 Hat, in case of cold weather                                         o

 Night Clothes                                                                o

  

Other Necessities                                    Have              

 Washcloth & Towel                                                      o o

 Big Plastic Bag (for wet towel & washcloth)               o

 Soap & Shampoo                                                          o o

Toothbrush & Toothpaste                                             o o

 Deodorant                                                                     o

 Hair Dryer                                                                     o

 Sleeping Bag or Bed Sheets                                         o

 Pillow                                                                            o

What NOT to bring: electronics such as radios, I-pods, portable CD players, etc.  It is strongly
recommended that all retreatants please leave cell phones home as well; the reception at Pinnacle is
limited.  Should there be an emergency, we have access to a land-line phone.  THANK YOU!

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Directions to Camp Pinnacle

Follow Rt. 146 into Altamont.  After entering the village of Altamont, look for Rt. 156 sign.

Turn right onto Rt. 156 (Stewart’s on the left, funeral parlor straight ahead).

Continue up the hill past LaSalette (Peter Young Center).  Follow 156 for about 3 mi.

Turn left onto Rt. 157.  Follow 157 for about 3½ mi. until you reach a stop sign. 
Continue straight onto County Route 303.

Follow 303 about 2.6 mi. to Camp Pinnacle.  You will see huge TV/radio towers. 
Continue on 303 by bearing right, & continuing up the hill.  You will come to
5 large flagpoles, on the right.  Continue straight for about .2 of a mile. 
Turn right into Camp Pinnacle.  Bear to the right & park in the lot next to
MEKEEL LODGE, a large white building in which we will be staying.

The phone # for Camp Pinnacle is 872-9376.  Please call only
in case of an emergency.  Ask for Laura or a Retreat Team
member from St. Madeleine Sophie.


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Click here for     Release and Consent Form