Winterblast

What is Winterblast?

Winterblast is a time for students to come together for a fun weekend retreat! Taking the opportunity to gather in a place where your student can unplug from their normal routine and create a special space for God to show up. 6th-12th grade students spend the weekend learning, growing, worshiping, meeting in small groups, and hanging out. It’s our favorite weekend of the year and can’t wait to see our students there!

Event Information

Winterblast is a 2-night weekend retreat February 7th- 9th at Lake Williamson Conference Center in Carlinville Illinois. All Students will be dropped off at 4pm on Friday for orientation and dinner. Students will return to the campus they departed from on Sunday at 2pm. For more information, please reference the FAQs below.

Campuses

  • Buses depart from Chesterfield, Mid Rivers, and Fenton campuses

Registration

Registration will close on Sunday, January 19th at midnight. Students must be registered under the correct gender and with the campus they will depart from and return to. *If you are registering multiple students, please make sure that you are filling out separate registrations for each gender (boys and girls).

Parent Waivers and Medical Policy

All parents must read over and sign both waivers to turn in at dropoff. Students will not be able to participate at Barn Quest ropes course without a signed waiver and we will not be accepting waivers after departure.

FAQ's

Gender-specific rooms are assigned by campus. We will match roommates based upon your request during registration. Each room is supervised by our small group leaders. Adults and students do not share beds.

Each student is placed in a small group with one to two adult leaders who are responsible for the student's supervision throughout the week.

The registration cost includes all accommodations, travel, meals, tshirts and study guides. Merchandise and snacks will be available for an additional cost throughout the week but due to security concerns we do not allow take out/delivery orders. Students are welcome to bring snacks.

We use charter busses with professional drivers.

We will depart from the campus that you registered with. More details (via email) on how departure works will be available as we get closer to camp.

Small group and room assignments are based on gender and campus. We will use the information collected as part of the registration process to help determine small group and room assignments. This may include friend requests, small group, and school information. Our goal is for every student to be in a group with at least one friend.

Our primary source of communication will come via email. You will receive a confirmation email once your student has successfully registered for the trip and follow-up emails from your campus Student Ministry.

Due to security concerns, no visitors are allowed.

Please list all dietary restrictions when completing registration so we can plan to accommodate your restriction. Students are welcome to bring snacks/food with them. If you have additional concerns or questions, please contact youth@thecrossing.church.

If you are interested in a scholarship for Winterblast, please apply here. You may also register your student for Winterblast, but please only pay the minimum of $50. Scholarship applications close on Sunday, December 10th. We will be in contact once applications close.

We start the day with breakfast and then a morning session of worship and teaching.  We then have grade specific small group time alongside freetime before and after lunch.  Each afternoon we have options of free time activities such as basketball, 9-square, games/cards, indoor swimming and lots of hang time with friends.  Each evening we have dinner, a night session with worship and teaching, time to circle up with small groups and night activities before curfew.

  • Bedding (sheets, blankets, or sleeping bag to fit twin or full bed)
  • Pillow
  • Towels, washcloths
  • Toiletries (soap, shampoo, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste)
  • Modest athletic clothing for activities (again, pack layers just in case)
  • Winter coat, raincoat, gloves, hat (in case of cold weather)
  • Athletic/comfortable shoes
  • Swimwear (for use of the indoor pool during free time. Students- are expected to bring modest swimwear. If swimwear is inappropriate the student will be asked to wear clothing over their suits.)
  • Re-useable water bottle
  • Small bag or backpack (for carrying small items)
  • Bible, pen, notebook
  • A well-rested body with a heart to learn and grow
  • Eagle Crest Waiver (printed, completed, and signed)

Students who are 6th -12th grade

We ask that students leave their phone/technology at home. Our hope is that Winterblast is a place where your student can unplug from their normal routine and create a special space for God to show up. The opportunity to silence all the noise creates a chance for meaningful connection to happen with other students, leaders, and staff. Our policy is that if we see any device causing distractions, we reserve the right to take their phone for that session.

Due to very limited cell service, you can call the camp phone at (217) 854-4820 and someone from our YouthCrossing Staff will be notified immediately. Utilizing our youth@thecrossing.church email is also a great option. We will be checking our emails frequently.