Thank you for your interest in attending the 2024 Metropolis of San Francisco Young Adult Fall Retreat at St. Nicholas Ranch & Retreat Center!
This retreat is open to all Orthodox College Students and Young Professionals ages 18-30's.
DATE:
October 4 - 6, 2024
AGES: Open to all Orthodox Young Adults, ages 18-39.
LOCATION:
St. Nicholas Ranch & Retreat Center
38526 Dunlap Road
Squaw Valley, CA 93675
THEME: “The Power of Forgiveness”
“For surely your goodness and mercy O Lord will follow me all the days of my life”
OUR SPEAKER: Fr. Nebojsa Pantic
Fr. Nebojsa Pantic serves Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church as the Assistant Priest since 2018. Before joining St. Nicholas, he served the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Ascension in Oakland, CA as an assistant priest and Sts Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Vallejo, CA as Proistamenos.
Fr. Nebojsa holds BA (Religious Studies) and MDIV degrees in Theology as well as a minor in Psychology from the Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology. He also holds an MBA degree from California State University - Sacramento.
Fr. Nebojsa was born in Serbia (Novi Sad) and grew up in northern Illinois (Gurnee), while also spending time studying abroad in Austria and Greece. He met his wife Presvytera Stephanie while attending Hellenic College, and was ordained to priesthood at the Ascension Cathedral (Oakland) in 2010. He and Presvytera Stephanie have two children, Paraskevi (11) and Elias (7).
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!
You can secure your spot with a $100 deposit and make payments until October 1 for the remaining balance.
REGISTRATION PRICES:
$185 for a Dorm Room (cabins with multiple bunk beds)
$225 for Double Occupancy Lodge Room (hotel style room with two queen beds) Each person pays this amount to share a room
$325 for Single Occupancy Lodge Room (hotel style room)
Includes 2 nights lodging and all meals: Friday dinner – Sunday breakfast.
OPTIONAL FRIDAY EXCURSION & HIKE ADVENTURE PACKAGE:
If you would like to join us on Friday morning for a day excursion and hike to Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Park, we have put together packages that include a Thursday night stay as well as the additional meals (Thursday Dinner, Friday Breakfast and Lunch and snacks) you will have while part of this extra excursion.
ADVENTURE PACKAGE REGISTRATION:
$250 for a Dorm Room
(cabins with multiple bunk beds)
$310 for Double Occupancy Lodge Room
(hotel style room with two queen beds
Each person pays this amount to share a room
$460 for Single Occupancy Lodge Room
(hotel style room)
You have your own room
Includes 3 nights lodging and all meals: Thursday dinner – Sunday breakfast.
ACCOMMODATIONS:
Dorm Rooms: Large rooms with multiple bunk beds. All of the dorms have attached bathrooms and electricity. Minimal bedding is provided: pillow, sheets, and light blanket. If you want to bring a sleeping bag or heavier blanket, that is recommended. Towel for showing also provided.
Lodge Rooms: Hotel style rooms with two large queen beds and private bathroom with shower. All bedding and towels provided.
ARRIVAL ON FRIDAY:
Arrivals begin at 5:00pm on Friday, Dinner is served at 6:30pm, and we will begin the retreat introduction around 8:30pm.
It is normal to have participants arrive at all times Friday night since many will be coming after work.
Some will arrive as late as midnight and we will post which cabin you will be staying in on the welcome board by the cafeteria.
DEPARTURE ON SUNDAY:
We will attend Divine Liturgy at the Monastery on Sunday morning followed by breakfast, a visit to the Monastery bookstore, group photo, and the retreat will end around 1:00pm.
MONASTERY WORK PROJECT ATTIRE
Monastery Liturgy clothing for Women: Modest Long dress or skirt (no slits), long sleeve shirt or sweater, closed toe shoes, and head scarf.
Monastery Liturgy clothing for Men: Long dress pants, dress shirt, closed toe shoes.
Monastery Work Attire for Men & Women: Same as above, but clothes that are able to get a little dirty.
Men can wear jeans and long sleeve shirt.
Women can wear similar outfit as mentioned for Liturgy, just nothing too nice.
Running shoes are recommended for both men and women for the work project day.
FLYING
FRESNO AIRPORT (FAT):
If you are flying, we recommend that you fly into the Fresno Airport. This airport is small and has limited flights (and sometimes expensive) but it is the closest to the Retreat Center. Fresno (FAT) airport is about 45 minutes away and if you fly in anytime after 3pm, someone can pick you up on their way to the retreat.
SAN FRANCISCO (SFO) or SAN JOSE (SJC):
You can also fly into Northern California and road trip about 4 hours south to the retreat center with the Bay Area Group. San Francisco (SFO) or San Jose (SJC) are great airports to fly into on Friday early afternoon (arrive before 4pm), and fly out late Sunday night (after 7pm). Both San Jose and San Francisco airports are about 4 hours north of the retreat center. #roadtrip
WEATHER:
Typical weather is mid 70’s during the day and low 50’s at night.
Make sure to bring a warm jacket for the evening. We will go down to the lake, and it gets a bit chilly.
PACKING LIST:
-sleeping bag and/or warm blankets for a twin size bed (only if staying in the Dorms)
-toiletries
-bath towel (only if staying in the Dorms)
-casual/comfy attire is recommended for throughout the weekend
-It does get colder in the evenings, so a sweatshirt or warm jacket is recommended
-Monastery Liturgy clothing for Women: Modest Long dress or skirt (no slits), long sleeve shirt or sweater, closed toe shoes, and head scarf
-Monastery Liturgy clothing for Men: Long dress pants, dress shirt, closed toe shoes
-Monastery Work Attire for Men & Women: Same as above, but clothes that are able to get a little dirty. Men can wear jeans and long sleeve shirt, Women can wear similar outfit as mentioned for Liturgy, just nothing too nice. Running shoes are recommended for both men and women for the work project day.
-flashlight (we walk down to the lake Saturday night)
-musical instrument for campfire
-phone charger
-chapstick and sunscreen
-water bottle
-playing cards & board games
-notebook to take notes
-money to spend in the Monastery Bookstore. They only take cash or checks.
Check out the video from the 2016 Metropolis Young Adult Fall Retreat!