August 27, 2004


Hey Youth and Parents - - -

It's getting close to the deadline to sign up for the "Fall Kickoff
Retreat", so pay attention...

If you want to go to the overnight at Watson Homestead on September
10-11th (and trust me - YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS THIS ONE!!!), you
absolutely/positively MUST get your forms and money to the Church
Office by noon on Sunday, September 5th.  That's it - no exceptions /
no excuses!

WHAT FORMS???
You really should have gotten an envelope with a WHOLE BUNCH of "stuff"
about the youth program a few weeks ago.  Look for it!!!  It's probably
mixed in with the rest of the mail you've been ignoring about school
starting, etc.  Once you find the envelope, look carefully at the
medical forms... ON THE BACK of one of the medical forms is the
permission form for the Watson Homestead Retreat.  (We tried to hide it
as carefully as we could, but I'll let you in on the secret!)

If you STILL can't find the forms, go to the youth page on the church
web site ( http://www.thirdpresbyterian.org/youth ) and click on the
"Registration Forms" link to print them out.  (You'll need Adobe
Acrobat Reader on your computer, but you're high-tech, so you already
have that...) (Parents: have your kids show you...)

Now, EVERYBODY pay attention, 'cause this is NEW - - - >

One of the NEW attractions at Watson Homestead is a 36 foot, 3-sided
climbing and rappelling tower.  Click the "Watson Homestead" link on
our web site to look at pictures of it - it looks awesome!  (Here comes
the NEW part>>>) While you're on the web site, print out the "Climbing
Tower Permission Form".  YOU GOTTA HAVE THIS FORM SIGNED IF YOU WANT TO
USE THE CLIMBING WALL!!!  The cost is included your registration, but
we're only going to pay the fee to Watson Homestead based on the number
of "Climbing Tower Permission Forms" that you send in, so make sure you
include this form along with your registration.

And when is the registration due???  (All together now... "in the Church
Office by noon on Sunday, September 5th").

So how much does it cost???

Good question!!! (We tried our best to hide that in the information as
well...)  For only $50, you get your overnight accommodations, your
breakfast and lunch on Saturday, and your use of all of the facilities
at Watson Homestead (including the climbing wall).  As always, if
that's a problem for your family, call me or John Wilkinson, and we'll
help with a scholarship.  Nobody misses out on any of our activities
just because of finances.  period.

Here's a few more details:

  - Meet at the church parking lot at 5:30 pm on Friday night
    (Sept 10), so we can leave by 6:00.
  - Bring something to eat for dinner on the drive down.
  - Bring a sleeping bag and pillow.  The rooms at Watson have bunks
    with mattresses.  There are showers, so bring toiletries.
  - Bring some snack food to share.
  - Bring the usual clothes and stuff - be sure to include a swim suit
    and towel for the pool.
  - Bring cards and games and musical instruments and footballs and
    frisbees and...
  - We'll return to the church parking lot at about 6:00 pm on
    Saturday night (Sept 11).


That's about everything I can think of!  Call Dona at the church office
(271-6513 x101) or me at work (724-9597) or home (227-2065) if you
still have questions!

Remember to mark your calendars for the start of music rehearsals and
the Parent's Meeting on Sunday, September 19th at 4:00 pm.


Peace,

Bob Parrett
Youth Advisor/Guru