Weekend Programs

Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic all of our programs are being evaluated and possibly reimagined to incorporate safety procedures, such as smaller group sizes and physical distancing. Policies could include requiring full vaccination, proof of a negative PCR Covid test before arrival, masking, distancing, etc.

Silver Lake provides several opportunities for individuals and groups to participate in specialized programs of Christian Education and Spiritual Renewal each year. We invite young people from throughout New England to meet others and to learn from these programs as they develop their faith and build relationships. Each special weekend program is designed around a specific theme and age group.

Action Weekends

Held in April or May (Spring Action), and October or November (Fall Action), these work retreats are designed to provide an opportunity for young people in 9th grade and above to work together as Silver Lake is readied for the summer and winter months respectively. Many hands make light work! Action weekends also provide a great opportunity to meet new friends, re-unite with old friends, and work hard. They are recommended for all young people who are contemplating being on the summer staff. Actions are also a great time for former staff and alumni conferees to come back to Silver Lake and help out.

Everyone is asked to register online. For high schoolers, cost is $45 and a complete health record is required. There is no cost to adult volunteers, though donations are accepted.

View all our upcoming weekend programs to register.

Christmas at the Lake

In the beginning of December, we will offer Christmas at the Lake as a weekend conference. The weekend provides a program for 4th-6th graders and a program for 7th & 8th grades, each with their own deans and counselors. The retreat weekend offers a wonderful opportunity for young people to re-unite with friends made during the summer conference program or to experience the magic of Silver Lake for the first time. Registration is available online; the cost is $125 per person; a complete health record is required.

We also have an intergenerational Christmas at the Lake Family Day the first Saturday of December. Bring your family to camp for a day of fellowship by the fireside, games, crafts, hot cocoa, chili, and some Adventure games. Spend time outdoors with other families as we enter the season of Advent and prepare for Christmas.

View all our upcoming events for details and registration.

Maple Sugaring Weekend

Held during the maple sugaring season (early to mid-March) each year, this weekend is designed to provide 6th, 7th, and 8th graders with the opportunity to learn about tapping maple trees, boiling sap to make maple syrup, and to discover new ways to appreciate our environment and to care for all of God's Creation, in nature's resurrection: Spring!

Registration is available online; the cost is $125 per person; a complete health record is required.

View all our upcoming weekend programs to register.

Pride Retreat

This weekend retreat is a safe space for members of the LGBTQIA+ community and their allies to explore issues of identity and faith through a lens of progressive Christian values. All are welcome, regardless of faith identity or belief.
9th-12th graders will join a community of your peers for fun, laughter, connection, music, community, campfires, history, low ropes, arts and crafts, fashion shows, and discussion.

Weekend lodging is determined by age, not by gender.

Registration is available online; the cost is $140 per person; a complete health record is required.

Find additional details about the program and leaders on our Pride Retreat webpage.

View all our upcoming weekend programs to register.

Confirmation Retreats

The Southern New England Conference of the UCC provides five to six Confirmation Retreats at Silver Lake annually. If your church's Confirmation Class is too small on its own of if your class could benefit from a retreat experience with other classes, these retreats were designed for you. The purpose of these retreats is not to teach confirmation all in one weekend but to help build community and to help begin the process of asking the questions that are key to the Confirmation process. The curriculum resources used are appropriate for young people in 7th - 9th grade.

Program includes Team Building games and campfire on Saturday.

The Conference provides the resources and the leadership for each retreat and each group is required to bring adult advisors to facilitate the program: One (1) adult for every eight (8) youth participants.

Each retreat begins on Friday at 7:30 pm and ends at 11:30 am on Sunday. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided on Saturday, and Brunch is served on Sunday.

While specific retreat dates are announced annually, they are generally held in the following months: February, March, April, and November.

Details and registration can be found on the SNE Faith Formation webpage - www.sneucc.org/disciples

Please note, while Silver Lake hosts the Confirmation Retreats, all registration, payments, schedule, and additional details are collected and organized by the Southern New England Conference.

Upcoming Events

Title	Cost	Age Range	Dates
Silver Lake Award Honoring Val Tutson	$60		10/3/2021 - 10/3/2021	Register
Join members of the Silver Lake community to honor the 2020 Silver Lake Award recipient - Valerie Tutson Sunday, October 3, 2021 from 2-5 pm at A Villa Louisa, 60 Villa Louisa Rd. Bolton, CT 06043 Register now! - $60 per person Tickets on sale through September 17th Learn more about the Silver Lake Award: https://www.silverlakect.org/silverlakeaward
2021 Pride Retreat	$140	9 - 12	11/5/2021 - 11/7/2021	Register
This weekend retreat is a safe space for members of the LGBTQIA+ community and their allies to explore issues of identity and faith through a lens of progressive Christian values. All are welcome, regardless of faith identity or belief. Join a community of your peers for fun, laughter, connection, music, community, campfires, history, low ropes, arts and crafts, fashion shows, and discussion. This retreat it open to youth in grades 9-12. Weekend lodging is determined by age, not by gender. Registration is available online; the cost is $140 per person; a complete health record and Covid-19 vaccination is required. Weekend leaders: Seth Hodge, Skyler Keiter-Massefski, David Pletta Learn more about the weekend and the leaders - https://www.silverlakect.org/prideretreat Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic all of our programs are being evaluated and possibly reimagined to incorporate safety procedures, such as smaller group sizes and physical distancing. Policies could include requiring full vaccination, proof of a negative PCR Covid test before arrival, masking, distancing, etc. More information will be sent to participants in advance of the program.
Stephanie Pitman Retirement Celebration - In-Person			11/14/2021 - 11/14/2021
RSVP to pitmanretirement@gmail.com by Friday, October 15 Additional information about safety procedures are coming soon. Policies could include requiring full vaccination, proof of a negative PCR Covid test before arrival, masking, distancing, etc. More information will be sent to participants in advance of the program.
2021 Fall Action			11/19/2021 - 11/21/2021
Catch up with old friends, make new friends, and work hard to prepare Silver Lake for the coming season. From chopping wood to repairing buildings, moving picnic tables to raking leaves, there’s a project for everyone. Join us just for the day on Saturday or come Friday evening and stay Saturday evening for additional programming and community time, and do some more work on Sunday! Additional Information & Safety Requirements Adults only (18+) Proof of Covid vaccination required Negative PCR Covid test within 72 hours prior to arrival required Limit travel and gatherings in the days before arrival Masks will be required Additional safety protocols will be in place Registration is required. Link to register coming soon! Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic all of our programs are being evaluated and possibly reimagined to incorporate safety procedures, such as smaller group sizes and physical distancing. Policies could include requiring full vaccination, proof of a negative PCR Covid test before arrival, masking, distancing, etc. More information will be sent to participants in advance of the program.
2021 Christmas at the Lake Family Day	$50/$40 per person		12/4/2021 - 12/4/2021	Register
Celebrate Christmas, Silver Lake-style! Bring your family to camp for a day of fellowship by the fireside, games, crafts, hot cocoa, chili, and some Adventure games. Spend time outdoors with other families as we enter the season of Advent and prepare for Christmas. To help keep this event affordable, tiered pricing is available. Choose the price that works best for your family. Actual cost: $50 per person Discounted rate: $40 per person Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic all of our programs are being evaluated and possibly reimagined to incorporate safety procedures, such as smaller group sizes and physical distancing. Policies could include requiring full vaccination, proof of a negative PCR Covid test before arrival, masking, distancing, etc. More information will be sent to participants in advance of the program.
2021 Christmas at the Lake Overnight Retreat: 4-6th grades	$125	4 - 6	12/10/2021 - 12/12/2021	Register
Celebrate Christmas, Silver Lake-style! Join your friends and make new ones as we anticipate Christ’s birth at Silver Lake, with or without snow! We will get busy and creative with Christmas crafts, outdoor play, baking, worship, and lots of singing of Christmas songs around the fire. Open to youth in grades 4-6. Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic all of our programs are being evaluated and possibly reimagined to incorporate safety procedures, such as smaller group sizes and physical distancing. Policies could include requiring full vaccination, proof of a negative PCR Covid test before arrival, masking, distancing, etc. More information will be sent to participants in advance of the program.
2021 Christmas at the Lake Overnight Retreat: 7-8th grades	$125	7 - 8	12/10/2021 - 12/12/2021	Register
Celebrate Christmas, Silver Lake-style! Join your friends and make new ones as we anticipate Christ’s birth at Silver Lake, with or without snow! We will get busy and creative with Christmas crafts, outdoor play, baking, worship, and lots of singing of Christmas songs around the fire. Open to youth in grades 7-8. Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic all of our programs are being evaluated and possibly reimagined to incorporate safety procedures, such as smaller group sizes and physical distancing. Policies could include requiring full vaccination, proof of a negative PCR Covid test before arrival, masking, distancing, etc. More information will be sent to participants in advance of the program.
2022 Maple Sugaring Overnight Retreat: 6-8th grades	$125	6 - 8	3/18/2022 - 3/20/2022	Register
From tap to table, experience nature’s renewal and its sweet gifts at Silver Lake! We will tap the camp’s sugar maple trees, collect the sap, and boil it over a big outdoor stove as we participate in the transformation of sap into syrup. See firsthand God’s gift of Resurrection in the coming Spring. This retreat is for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic all of our programs are being evaluated and possibly reimagined to incorporate safety procedures, such as smaller group sizes and physical distancing. Policies could include requiring full vaccination, proof of a negative PCR Covid test before arrival, masking, distancing, etc. More information will be sent to participants in advance of the program.