Thank you for your interest in attending the 2025 Metropolis of San Francisco Young Adult Lenten Retreat at St. Nicholas Ranch & Retreat Center!
This retreat is open to all Orthodox College Students and Young Professionals ages 18-39.
DATE: March 14 - 16, 2025
LOCATION: St. Nicholas Ranch & Retreat Center
38526 Dunlap Road
Squaw Valley, CA 93675
REGISTRATION OPENS SOON
You can secure your spot with a $100 deposit and make payments until March 12 for the remaining balance.
REGISTRATION COST:
REGULAR REGISTRATION: By March 1
$190 per person for a Dorm Room (cabins with multiple bunk beds)
$230 per person for Double Occupancy Lodge Room (hotel style room with two queen beds)
$330 per person for Single Occupancy Lodge Room (hotel style room)
LATE REGISTRATION: After March 1
$200 per person for a Dorm Room (cabins with multiple bunk beds)
$240 per person for Double Occupancy Lodge Room (hotel style room with two queen beds)
$340 per person for Single Occupancy Lodge Room (hotel style room)
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Includes 2 nights lodging and all meals: Friday 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.
THEME: Patient Endurance
“But the fruit of the Spirit is Love, Joy, Peace, Patience” Galatians 5:22
SPEAKER: Fr. Demetrios Swanson
SPEAKER BIO:
Fr. Demetrios Swanson is originally from the United States of America, from the state of Washington, where he spent most of his childhood in a town north of Seattle near the Canadian border. He received his bachelors from Hellenic College in Boston, Massachusetts and graduated with his Masters of Divinity from Holy Cross Seminary. Through his connection with Project Mexico and St. Innocent Orphanage, he moved to Mexico and was ordained a priest in November 2022 by His Eminence Metropolitan Ignacio Semaan. He serves as the second priest for the St. Innocent Chapel and works for the founding of the first Orthodox Church in Rosarito, Mexico.
Help support the growth of Orthodoxy in Mexico
ARRIVAL ON FRIDAY:
Arrivals begin at 4:00pm on Friday, Dinner is served at 6:30pm, and we will begin the retreat introduction around 9:00pm.
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 final session, 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 60’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 & shower shoes (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 Young Adult Lenten Retreat!