Get ready for the best weekend of the year—the Ground Zero Retreat! This February, middle schoolers (grades 6-8) are going away to Camp Shamineau for an unforgettable weekend. They'll get to spend time with their friends and grow in their faith—and did we mention they'll have a blast?!
GZ Retreat is packed full of everything middle school students love—amazing food, hilarious games, high-energy chapel sessions, and tons of free time for all the best camp activities. Hop on the zip-line, high ropes course, or the rock climbing wall for some daring adventure. Or have some friendly competition in floor hockey, laser tag, or ping pong. They could even grab a milkshake and take time to relax with friends around a board game.
And best of all, this year, we're talking all about the journey: we want to help middle schoolers choose to walk with Jesus as they journey through life.
The list of awesomeness goes on and on...but nothing beats being there.
See you at GZ Retreat 2025!
Camp Shamineau | Motley, MN
*discounts available for families registering multiple students.
Camp Shamineau | Motley, MN
Register
Blaine
Feb. 14 | 5 pm
*Check-In at Blaine
Directions
Ham Lake
Feb. 14 | 5 pm
*Check-In at Blaine
Directions
Maplewood
Feb. 14 | 5:15 pm
*Check-In at White Bear Lake
Directions
Rochester
Feb. 14 | 3:30 pm
*Check-In at the Rochester Office
Directions
Spring Lake Park
Feb. 14 | 5 pm
*Check-In at Blaine
Directions
White Bear Lake
Feb. 14 | 5:15 pm
*Check-In at White Bear Lake
Directions
Camp Shamineau | Motley, MN
Register
Anoka
Feb. 21 | 5:15 pm
Directions
Apple Valley
Feb. 21 | 5 pm
Directions
Brainerd Lakes
Feb. 21 | 7:30 pm
Directions
Lino Lakes
Feb. 21 | 5 pm
Directions
Red Wing
Feb. 21 | 4 pm
Directions
Wayzata
Feb. 21 | 5:15 pm
*Check-In at Long Lake Office
Directions
Woodbury
Feb. 21 | 5 pm
Directions
Follow us on Instagram and Facebook. We’ll be posting live updates and pictures during the retreat! It’s the best way to stay in touch with what your students are learning and experiencing. Also, join your campus' Facebook Group to stay up-to-date on departure/arrival times.
If we have an emergency at camp (which is extremely rare), we will contact the parent or guardian listed on the registration form. If there is an emergency at home, please call the church office and follow the prompts to get to our on-call staff person at camp. The phone number is 651.429.9227.
The cabins are rustic, warm, and cozy. They consist of a large open room with sets of bunk beds. A few cabins have adjoining bathrooms, but most of them just have bathrooms nearby. There are individual showers with curtains, bathroom stalls, urinals for the boys, and sinks for everyone to share.
On your registration form, you have the opportunity to list a friend or two that you would like to have in your cabin. You can also request a specific adult leader. We do our absolute best to make sure those requests are met. Otherwise, your cabin will have other students of the same gender, most likely in your grade. Most cabins have a few leaders and 10-12 students, but a few have up to 20. Your cabin is a great place to create strong friendships
We always have a nurse along with us at camp. When you arrive for drop-off on Friday, simply check in with the nurse if you have any medications. She can keep them for you and remind you when to take them throughout the weekend. If you are injured or need medical attention at any point throughout the weekend, our nurse will take care of you!
Our chaperones are our Ground Zero volunteers. 95% of them are small group leaders, and a few are team leads or directors (those who oversee the small group leaders). All the volunteers are background-checked and go through weekly training throughout the school year, with one special training specifically for the retreat.
The food is excellent and middle-school friendly. You’ll see meals like pancakes, french toast and bacon, macaroni and cheese, sandwiches, chicken fingers and fries, or a pasta bar. If you have dietary restrictions, they are great at accommodating. Just let us know on your registration form what your dietary needs are, and we’ll communicate that to the camp staff. There will be a separate station for you to pick up your food.
We have trained leaders and a nurse onsite during the retreat to address any sickness and medical needs. If your child is experiencing any symptoms before the retreat, it is best to keep them home. If your child becomes ill at camp, they will receive prompt care, and we will contact you right away to discuss next steps. Please note that if your child has a fever or is vomiting, we will ask you to pick them up from camp as we are unable to transport them home on the bus.