2020 | Fall Retreats

We have had a swelling retreat season this fall! We usually have a decently full fall, but 2020 was different – people needed to get out of isolation and into community in the great outdoors!

Some groups requested we didn’t post their group while at camp and we also desired to protect people from seeing an image and misunderstanding how we were following the proper protocols, so we didn’t share very many pictures of our fall retreats on social media. These times are crazy, aren’t they? So much fear has been instilled in us during this COVID time that we don’t always see clearly.

All that aside, we have felt privileged to serve the people who have come our way. We shared about our Men’s Retreat here (click that!). Below are a few pictures we felt were okay to share of some of the groups we welcomed (following all the proper protocols!!).

God pulled people from isolation and brought them into the mountains this fall where they could be with people who encouraged them, spoke truth from His Word and provided the face to face community all of humanity was meant to have!

How are you handling these times? Hope may be harder to find in these times, but the God of hope is able to “fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)

Keep believing!

Shoot Straight Men’s Retreat| 2020

We promoted this year’s men’s retreat as something they really needed. Of all the years we’ve been doing Shoot Straight, this year’s deep breath in the woods seemed more necessary than others. Thanks Covid, election year, civil unrest, among so many other personal stresses.

The weekend’s weather couldn’t have been any more beautiful and served as the perfect backdrop to all the outdoor activities. Whether standing around laughing or talking, throwing hatchets or darts, shooting sling shots or walking the woods for the 3D Archery Tournament, men and kids alike seemed to soak up their time outdoors.

We were entirely thankful for Brian Solomon’s charge to the men to rise up in these days by becoming men of prayer, of the Word and of following God’s lead as we navigate our times. He shared of his work with Capitol Ministries and challenged the men to take on a mindset of praying for God’s work to take place in government.

Of course the raffles are always loved! As usual, some were more lucky than others! One mom posted on facebook how she couldn’t believe how much her son came home with! That’s right! We like to spoil our guests!

While the tournament is fun and the food is raved about and the accommodations are praised for their cleanliness, it’s the getting away that really matters. Hearing the Word be preached feeds the weary soul, but the time away to refresh mind, body and soul makes the guys look forward to next year’s event! Will you be joining us?

Mark your calendar now for October 1-3, 2021. We would love to have you get away to find such refreshment and fun with some of your favorite guys!

• 

• 

Thanks for coming this year, guys! We sure loved having you, Covid rules and all! See you next time!

Craftivities Weekend | 2020

In the spirit of catching up on all the communications since the COVID pandemic, I’m taking you back to March, when things were just starting to get harry! March, when the ladies were to be gathering at Whisper Mountain Camp for the annual Craftivities Weekend!

Let me tell you about Craftivities in case you are unfamiliar! Each spring we welcome a small group of ladies to the mountains for simple encouragement, white space for the heart and mind, and a new skill to learn to cultivate beauty in their lives!

This year we learned the art of Block Printing! A simple way to create things of beauty for gifting, homemaking and so much more!

Because this weekend was at the very start of people being afraid to interact with each other, about half the guests who were supposed to come ended up cancelling at the last minute. This was the first disappointment in a long line of disappointments for our ministry in association with the pandemic changing our lives! We definitely missed having those who didn’t feel comfortable coming, but found those who braved the outing to have been glad they did!

Many beautiful things were made, each one’s personality seen in their creations. We hand carved the stamp blocks with our preferred designs then printed those designs with a permanent and washable ink on canvas bags, large cloth “flour sack” towels, and paper for wall art and/or stationary. Each design was happy, unique and beautiful!

Not everyone was around for the group picture, but here’s most people!

When we weren’t creating, eating good food or chatting, we were being encouraged by the words and message of Becca Giancana! Becca is from Long Island, NY living in Columbia, SC. She has a degree from Columbia International University in Bible and Bible Education and is currently studying for her Master’s Degree. We really enjoyed her coming and teaching us!

She had an easy to grasp way of communicating God’s Word with us. Becca gently challenged and encouraged us through Mary and Martha’s story and helped make the Gospel relatable for everyone, no matter where they are in their walks with Jesus.

The weekend was rainy, the fear of the coronavirus was swelling, and we were on the brink of quarantine as none of us had ever known. But this weekend was a weekend filled with the white space necessary to be refreshed, make something beautiful with our hands and be encouraged. Thanks to all who came!

Lord willing, we will host our next annual Craftivities Weekend in the Spring of 2021! So tuck that away in your mind and be looking for more information in the new year!

Thanks for reading and may the Lord be encouraging you in these times,

Cassi

2020 | Creekside Basketball Retreat

Right after Estero Study Retreat, we welcomed a middle school girls basketball team from Georgia to Whisper Mountain for a weekend retreat!

Kaleigh has a heart to help her team get away together so they can work on their team unity and experience reflection and encouragement from God’s Word and each other!

We were thankful for Maggie and Brinley (some local friends) who were willing to come lead worship one night and loved when the team themselves led worship! Such talent! Their leaders challenged and encouraged them throughout the weekend! These girls have some amazing people leading them!

They fought rain most of the weekend, but on the last day the sun came out and the group ended with shoutouts and letters Kaleigh asked parents or caregivers to write for their girls! Coupled with a gift basket, they received love, affirmation and encouragement in just the way they needed most! The special touches are everything!

We so much enjoyed getting to be part of your season this year! Thanks for spending the weekend with us — may you remember all God whispered to your hearts while you were with us!

PS: They ended their season as Champs!!!

---

Author | Cassi     Photography | Cassi + Shaun + Kaleigh

2020 | Estero Study Retreat

We jumped into the new year with two groups right out of the gate! The first of which was First Baptist Estero’s Salt ‘n Light Teens! Twenty people hopped in vans and drove up from sunny, warm Florida into the cold and leafless forest of the backwoods of Appalachia! I think we’d all agree, we are so glad they did!

Pastor Weston is a guy with a heart for his teens to youth group armed with a passion for God’s Word so they stay near to God as they leave the nest! One way he tries to prepare them for walking life with God is through what we call a Study Retreat. It blows my mind, but these middle and high school teens spend 4 days intensely digging into God’s Word. I  N  T  E  N  S  E  L  Y. We are talking hours at a time.

They learned how to read in context, how to use other resources to gain deeper understanding, how to practically apply what they read. They discussed what they gleaned and asked questions when they didn’t understand.

They may not realize it yet, but these teens were given a treasure as they learned to study God’s Word. Because being in God’s Word changes us and shapes us and leads us in powerful ways. We simply aren’t the same after encountering God’s truth. To be given to tools to break down God’s Word so it’s no longer daunting but actually understandable is a fantastic gift to receive. And Whisper Mountain is grateful for the opportunity to be part of that!

Of course there was fun to be had as well! We got a skiff of snow but to Floridians it might as well have been a blizzard!! They LOVED it! They also enjoyed tomahawk throwing and the simple pleasure of hanging together!

A couple of them were willing to share their experience with you on camera (SO BRAVE!) so follow the link below to catch a glimpse into their time with us!

If you are a youth pastor wanting something unique for your teens, a way to help arm them for life, carrying the Word of God with them rather than abandoning it as so many are doing, then reach out to us so we can schedule your weekend!

Thank you, Estero, for hiking all the way up to us so you can encounter the Whisper of God in deep and personal ways! May you find His light for your path to be enough!

---

Author | Cassi     Photography | Susanna Eckert, Marty Paul, Cassi

Shoot Straight 2019

A month ago now, we hosted a crowd of men for our annual Shoot Straight Retreat! Kids 8+ came to our woods to relax, throw knives (mhm, that’s right!), shoot some arrows, eat good food and be encouraged!

The worship and encouragement throughout the weekend (from Rich!) helped center the time on Christ and uplift in those most personal spaces of the heart. The older men praying over the younger men was a highlight to see and a powerful time for both the younger and wiser among us!

All of Saturday was spent outdoors, first practicing with the bows and arrows and then the actual 3D tournament in the afternoon! The time shooting arrows ends with a long shot, which is a fun challenge for all! (No worries, guys, we did find most of the stray arrows 😉 !)

Of course, one of the favorite parts of the weekend is getting to draw for allllllll the raffle prizes! This year, we even had a fancy spinning machine to select the ticket from! They say it’s all in the details, right?!

After all the tournament scores are collected and counted, of course we have a trophy ceremony, because if you didn’t get a trophy, did you really win?!!

We hear such good things about this time away in the woods! The encouragement, the fun, the refreshment! Thank you to all who came this year! We hope you’ll gather again with us next year! Keep October 2-4, 2020 blocked out on your calendar!

Now, go be those men God’s called you to be! And help raise up some younger men to follow behind! To God be the glory!

---

Author & Photography | Cassi

Weavings Were Woven | Spring Craftivities 2019

We had such a great time with the ladies who came to our Spring Craftivities Event last weekend! Getting away, even when we think we can’t, to do something we don’t always do has a way of sparking life inside our souls! We saw this be true for these women!

We learned the basics of weaving (on a loom — not to be confused with basket weaving, cough Anna Gab, cough cough! 😉) and were given the opportunity to create whatever masterpiece we could think up!

Here’s the fun part: everyone was given the same supplies, the same amount of time and the same set up, but every single loom was woven from a very different place. Each person brought something different to their piece and it was amazing and exquisite and such a wonderful reminder of our uniqueness!

We spent a little time talking about such things and more application found through the experience and found encouragement through the Word in little snippets throughout the weekend. So fueling and refreshing!

Along with the enjoyment found in weaving, many found frustration when the project wasn’t getting done quickly enough, or they wanted to be on the other side of the project. Having persevered, every woman went home a little proud of their accomplishment and a lot thankful for having done something creative!

If you were on the fence or unable to come this time, how about planning to join us in September for our next Craftivities Event! September 28th! Block it off now, work it out with your friend or family! Plan to be here! You won’t regret it!!

Thanks for coming ladies — it was a joy to spend the weekend with you! Hope to see you soon!

 

 

Author + Photography | Cassi

 

Shoot Straight 2016

The weather couldn’t have been more gorgeous a couple weekends ago as we welcomed a small group of men to our Shoot Straight Retreat. Men came to Whisper Mountain to get away from their responsibilities for a while and to breathe slower and deeper with a little man time in the woods! Fathers and sons came together which made for an even more memorable time.

100 yard shoot was challenging and fun!

Pros and amateurs alike enjoyed the challenge of the 3D Archery Tourney!  Bears, turkey, deer, boar and a few other 3D animal targets could be found scattered throughout our woods awaiting the rounds of arrows heading for their kill zone! Some arrows met their mark, and well, some never did! But in the end, the getting away, the connecting and the encouragement made the weekend a success!

Here’s what one person said about the men’s weekend:

click to watch

We are already looking forward to next year! Mark your calendars for October 6-8, 2017! We hope to see you then, if not sooner!

 

Sign Up for Shoot Straight Men’s Retreat

The men’s retreat is this weekend! And there’s still room for you!

Friday – Sunday of good food and fellowship, 3D Archery Tournament, Knife Throwing Contest and general encouragement!

There are giveaway prizes and take home gifts included! It’s not too late to come!

Just fill out the SIMPLE form below (you can do it!) or call 828.479.2993 to tell us you’re coming. The cost is $145. If a father is bringing a son who is younger than 15, the son comes for FREE! (you read that right!!)

BEGINNERS to archery definitely welcome!

We hope to see you here, THIS friday, September 30, 2016!

Name(required)

Email(required)

Bringing a son under 15?(required) Yes No

Total Number Attending(required) 1 2 3 4 5 6 Other

Submit

Δ

Fall Retreats 2015 >> Emmanuel + Mt. Tirzah

Fall retreats at Whisper Mountain are great for continuing to grow and unify teens! The past couple weekends have held great fun and bonding among the middle and high schoolers!  And the October weather in these mountains helps too!

Thanks for spending your weekends with us! God is doing big things in your lives! We were encouraged by you and pray you continue to seek Christ above all else!

(inspire your teens this fall + winter + spring)