We often say that the trip to Casey is as scenic as Casey itself, so enjoy the journey. Associate pastor and veteran student ministry retreat leader, Mark Erickson, puts that statement into action each year when he brings the Bear Creek Community Church student ministry group to Casey for their spring retreat. Mark, Seattle Pacific University Class of 2002 began serving as a youth pastor in August 2005 and has been bringing the student ministry group to Casey for the past 13 years. Each year, they make the trip from Woodinville to Casey over Deception Pass bridge and return by taking the Clinton Ferry to Mukilteo. Mark says, “I use the road trip to emphasize a life-long journey with Christ.”
And he fills the group’s days with a mix of teaching sessions and games. The 25 – 35 attendees are broken into small groups, led by student leaders with previous retreat experience. They spend part of their days reading scripture, hearing lectures, and participating in discussions. When they are not in one of these daily sessions, they spend time practicing for the talent show, playing games like capture the flag or gizzer ball, or working on their devotional books.
Because of the group’s size and desire to have lodging, dining. and meeting rooms under one roof, they stay in the Casey BOQ. The Bachelor Officers’ Quarters hosts a commercial kitchen and dining room which offers yet another opportunity for the group to work and play together. As with most retreats, relationship building is a core attribute, and involving everyone in meal preparation and clean-up is a great team building exercise. As for the teaching sessions and breakout sessions, the BOQ offers multiple meeting rooms. The main meeting room, with seating for up to 70 people, is equipped with a podium, a wall-mounted whiteboard, a screen, a ceiling-mounted digital projector, DVD and VCR players, and connector cables for laptop computers. This equipment facilitated Mark’s teachings very well.
The trip to Casey really is as scenic as Casey itself. But the journey to Casey is only the beginning. Once you are here, you’ll be surrounded by beaches, forest, wetlands, and a large playfield, as well as lodging, well-equipped meeting spaces, and meal service. Are you ready to experience Casey?
