mile·stone

noun

an action or event marking a significant change or stage in development.

As our children grow throughout their lives, we are accustomed to celebrating milestones—his first steps, her first day of kindergarten, the first school dance, graduating high school… the list goes on. These moments and experiences are easy to celebrate and shape who we become.

The goal of Calvary’s Milestone Retreats is to provide opportunities for spiritual milestones to be developed and celebrated in a student’s life, fostered by the partnership of home and church. It is our desire to come alongside families to point their children to Jesus in each stage of his or her life with the hope that they know God and respond with a life of worship.

Purpose and Goal: This class has a follow-up 'ceremony' for families that decide to commit their intentions to intentionally disciple their child publicly.

The desired outcome for this class is to:

•Connect families in a similar stage of life.

•Specifically for young families with 0-2 year-olds.

•Inform you of the purpose of child dedication at Calvary

•Present how Calvary plans to partner with you in the discipleship of your family.

Date: Winter 2025

Where: Calvary Church, 310 Kalberer Road, West Lafayette

Purpose and Goal: This milestone is designed to help 5 - 7 year olds realize the importance of knowing God by:

• Allowing parents to emphasize to their children the importance of God in their own lives and within their homes.

• Establishing the importance and purpose of the Bible.

• Providing an opportunity for parents to practice the integration of discipleship moments in ordinary, everyday moments.

What does this retreat look like?: Parents will go on a treasure hunt with the child to discover God’s Word and how it can be used in their lives.

When: TBA

How Can We Learn About God Together?

Purpose and Goal: This milestone emphasizes family worship and learning about God together, both in set times and through spontaneous times hanging out with one another.

Leading up to the Retreat: Informational meeting for parents in January 2024

What does this retreat look like?: This will be a parent/child overnight trip. There will be group activities and games as well as time to dig into God's Word as a parent and child.

When: February, 2025

Where: Camp Tecumseh

Cost: TBD

This milestone was created to help equip students with tools to grow in their faith on their own. Parents will be challenged to hold their students accountable to the plan that they develop through the process of this retreat.

The Amazing Race Milestone Retreat will be a two-day event held at Calvary in our Side Auditorium and around the community. The event will be for 5th - 7th Graders and their parent(s)/guardian(s), who haven't already participated. The first night will be an event called "The Race" where families will perform challenges at three different locations, starting and ending at Calvary. On the second day, we will have a time of worship, teaching, and specific training.

The cost of the retreat is $50 per family. This fee includes milestone materials, breakfast, snacks and take-home resources.

When: TBD

Where: Calvary Church

The cost of the retreat is $50 per family. This fee includes milestone materials, breakfast, snacks and take-home resources.

How Can You Serve Your Community?

Purpose and Goal: Up to this point we have placed a large focus on the personal growth of the student, loving God, and loving family. The retreat before this we challenged students to 'make their faith their own'. For this retreat, we want to focus on what it looks like to love others.

Leading up to the Retreat: A meeting to go over the details and any necessary training.

What does this retreat look like?: This retreat is a serving opportunity in the greater Lafayette area or in Indianapolis or Chicago. This serving opportunity may be the same every year or change depending on needs or requests. They will be challenged and taken out of their comfort zone as they practice being the hands and feet of Christ.

When: TBD

Live With Intention

Purpose and Goal: This Milestone retreat is the last of the 5 Milestone Retreats. It is also the student's last year of High School. This is why this Milestone focuses heavily on praying for the graduating seniors, equipping them with some practices to carry them into their next season, partnering with a mentor, and sending them off.

What does this retreat look like?: Two days and one night on a Friday and Saturday with their mentor. Prior to the retreat we will help them pick a mentor. At the retreat, we will have times of worship, a potential guest speaker, times of prayer and solitude, conversations with mentors, and more.

When: April 5-6

Where: Camp Tecumseh

Cost: None