CCCTO English Ministry
Spiritual Retreat

September 2-4th, 2023

Saturday - Monday

Forest Home Christian Camps

40000 Valley of the Falls Drive Forest Falls, CA 92339


Speaker: John Kong, Campus Minister at UC Berkeley


Theme:  "Assurance and Joy" - working through 1 John. Both assurance and joy are two things that Christians in today's world lack. With regards to assurance: we may know and have faith in the gospel, but do we have assurance that what we believe is real? With regards to joy: the world and culture around us tells us to seek out happiness, but that is different from joy. Can we have joy, even when the circumstances around us aren't all sunshine and rainbows?"

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Where can I find the photos of the cabins? 

You may view the photos of various cabins at Forest Home  here


2. What is the dress code?


In general, Forest Homes’ expectations for camp attire are driven by modesty, showing sensitivity to the concerns of others at camp. In the swimming areas, all females should wear one-piece bathing suits (no bikinis or tankinis) and that guys should stay away from wearing revealing briefs or speedos. Forest Home also limits swimwear to appropriate areas only and asks that you wear a coverup to and from the pool or lake. Closed Toe Shoes are required to participate in Canyon Park Activities.


3. Can we bring snacks?


Due to the local wildlife, guests are not allowed to store food in cars or sleeping rooms in the Standard cabins. Premium cabins fitted with refrigerators and/or kitchens may store food in their cabins. However, please put food in air-tight, opaque containers, away from doors and windows. Guests may also store “dry” snacks, which consist of packaged snacks, bottled water, sodas and juices, in the meeting room in a sealed plastic container away from doors and windows and, if possible, out of sight. If you store your personal snacks in the meeting room, please mark them clearly with your name.


4. Can we bring our pet?

No. Please leave your pets at home. Forest Home doesn't allow pets.


5. Is there a water refilling station?

Yes, water stations are available throughout the camp site. We ask that you bring your own water bottle to get water refilled.


6. Where do we park our car?

Parking is available near the cabins


7. Are there lifeguards in the water acitivity area?

Yes, during the recreation time, lifeguards will be available.


8. Do each cabin have their own bathroom?

Yes


9. Do the cabins have air conditioning?

Yes. The premium cabins are air conditioned with linens provided. The main meeting room is air conditioned.


10. Is Cellular signal available?

Wifi is available at all major gathering locations (meeting spaces, dining halls, etc.) and select cabins (such as Cedar Ridge).  Every guest will be able to log onto the “Forest Home Guest” Wifi network which will give them the following two options for securing Wifi during the retreat.  

  • Purchase: 72 hours of unlimited Wifi for roughly $15
  • Free: 2 hours of continuous Wifi for free every 24 hours

11. Where would my children go during the retreat?

Yes we have Nursery care as well as Children's Program (age 3 to 11) available during the retreat. For the incoming 6th graders, they can choose to join the Youth program or stay at the Children's Program. More details will be posted. 


12. When is the check out time on Monday?

The check out time on Monday is at 11:00 am. Please vacate your cabin by 9AM on Monday, September 4th. Return cabin keys to the staff at the check-out table in Hormel Hall between 9:00AM-9:30AM.  All retreat members must leave the premises by 11:00AM. 


13. How much free time do we have?

We will have two "Free Time" slot on both Saturday and Sunday. Saturday (9/2) free time will begin from 3 pm to 5:30 pm. For Sunday (9/3), free time will be from 1:30 pm to 5:30 pm. Click here to view the Free time Activities.


Direction & Packing List

Check- in: Between 10:30AM - 12:30 PM at Hormel Hall


Location: Forest Home Christian Camps
40000 Valley of the Falls Drive, Forest Falls, CA


FOREST CENTER MAP (Location of meeting room & cabins)


FOREST HOME MAP (Location of activities)


For a list of suggested items to bring, please visit this link on the retreat website (Note: Preferred is the same as Premium). Here are a few things we want to highlight:
  • If you have signed up for a standard cabin, please bring your own towels, linens (bed sheets/blankets or sleeping bags) and pillows.
  • There is no A/C in the Standard cabins, you may want to bring a small portable fan.  There is A/C in the Premium cabins.
  • One-piece swimsuits are required for ladies. Men are required to wear a shirt in all areas except when at the pool, creek or lake.
  • We suggest bringing your own water bottle as there are water filling stations throughout the retreat site where you can refill your bottles.
  • A thermal mug with lid for hot beverages.  No paper cups will be provided so please bring your own favorite mug.
  • There is a retail center at Forest Home.  Vendors at the retail center only accept credit/debit cards or Forest Home Store Card. You can purchase an eGift card by visiting https://www.foresthome.org/about/storecard


Follow this navigation link or search for "Forest Home Check-in Kiosk" for an accurate location of the main parking lot.  As you approach the San Bernardino Mountains, we recommend that you follow the step-by-step instructions on this link to the parking space nearest to Hormel Hall (slide 4 of 5).  Cellular service is very poor in the canyon, therefore, we highly recommend that you download and map out the correct directions ahead of time.


***Searching only for "Forest Home" or by postal address may take you to the wrong location on their 500-acre campus, and without cellular phone service, it can be a challenge to locate lost visitors.


Pastor John Kong

Retreat Speaker

Message from Pastor John Kong


John is a graduate of Vanderbilt University (2008) and Westminster Seminary California (2019). He grew up in Taiwan from the age of 3 until he finished high school. After college, he worked in an investment bank for 7 years before sensing God calling him to ministry, and he served as the Pastor of Christian Education at New Life Presbyterian Church in Escondido, CA, before going to do college ministry at Berkeley through RUF (Reformed University Fellowship).


John loves hanging out with students, whether it is grabbing a bite to eat, snowboarding in the mountains, playing sports, or just chatting about life. What he loves most, however, is walking alongside the students as they discern and mature in their relationship with God.


Watch John Kong

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