2005 Boston Graduate Christian Fellowships Winter Retreat, February 25th-27th

**On-line Registration Available Below**

Our Winter Retreat will take place in southern New Hampshire from February 25th-27th. This year, our speaker will be Dick Keyes, Director of the L'Abri Fellowship in Southborough, Massachusetts. Dick is always an extremely engaging speaker -- we're confident you'll find his talks both enjoyable and thought-provoking. His topic will be "Reconciliation, Hope and the Healing of the Nations: Does the Gospel of Jesus have any Good News?" International students are especially welcome!

In addition, there'll be plenty of time for worship, prayer, relaxation and socializing. In short, it's a great chance to get out of chilly Boston and enjoy snowy New Hampshire! Space is limited, and these retreats tend to be pretty popular. If that's not incentive enough to register early, those registering on or before Friday February 11th will enjoy a discount.

Registration: Register on-line below! The registration deadline is Sunday February 20th at midnight (we mean it :-)).

Getting there: See our directions, and if in doubt, please consult a map (people have got quite lost before!). We will be organizing rides, so please indicate on your registration form whether you need a ride or can offer one. We'll email out ride allocations in the week before the retreat.

Schedule: We will have a mix of large group time, time in campus groups, social time, and time alone with God.

Times: We'll be starting promptly at 8pm on Friday 8th (registration opens at 7pm), and the Friday night traffic can be bad, so please ensure that you're on your way out of town by 5pm. Even better, come early -- escape the traffic, get there early, and relax. We'll pack up and leave straight after lunch on Sunday, so you should be back in Boston shortly after 4pm.

Accommodation: Most folks will be staying in nice dorm-type single-sex accommodation with ensuite bathrooms (6-8 people per room is usual, some rooms are bigger or smaller than that). Let us know if you need married accommodation, or if you are bringing children with you. Although we make efforts to accommodate families, we are unfortunately unable to provide childcare.

Things to bring: Bedding (pillow plus sleeping bag or sheets and blanket), towel, soap & toiletries, warm clothes, a winter coat, hat and gloves, shoes suitable for snow, Bibles, notebooks & pens, musical instruments, games, cameras. You can rent sheets and towels for $5, if you'd prefer.

Food: The retreat includes snacks on Friday night, all meals on Saturday and breakfast and lunch on Sunday. You'll need to have dinner before arriving on Friday (there's a McDonald's on Rt 119 and a few other options). Please use the "special needs" section of your registration form to let us know if you're vegetarian, or if you have food allergies or other dietary requirements.

Payment: The cost is $80 for early registrants (February 11th or sooner), $90 for all others. The corresponding married couple rates are $150 and $170 respectively. But we don't want cost to be an issue for anyone -- students needing scholarships should contact a Boston grad fellowships staff member. All payment should be made at the retreat -- being cash or a check made out to "GSCF", and pay when you register on Friday night.

Cancellation Policy: You may cancel until the registration deadline (Sunday February 20th at midnight) at no charge. If you cancel within 48 hours after the deadline, we'll have to charge you half the fee you signed up to pay. If you cancel more than 48 hours after the registration deadline, we ask you to pay the full fee.

Contact: Other questions? For registration questions, contact Tracey Stanelun, for program questions, contact Retreat Director John Ratichek.

We look forward to seeing you in New Hampshire!

On-Line Registration

Please read the following release statement. By registering on-line, you are indicating your voluntary agreement with this statement:

1. In consideration for being accepted and allowed to participate in this conference/project and activities associated with its program and location, I personally assume responsibility for my actions, and release InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA® (hereafter InterVarsity®), its Trustees, employees and agents from loss, injury or damage to myself or my property; provided that nothing contained herein shall excuse InterVarsity, its Trustees, employees or agents from responsibility to act with reasonable care for the safety of myself or my property.

2. I give permission to InterVarsity to be photographed, recorded, and/or video taped and to allow this material to be used for publicity.

3. I give permission to InterVarsity to obtain medical assistance in the event of an emergency. This permission will include the administration of medicines, surgical treatment, X-ray examination or hospitalization as might be ordered by a licensed medical doctor. I release and discharge InterVarsity, its trustees, employees, and agents from any liability for any first aid rendered or treatment performed pursuant to this consent.

4. I understand that InterVarsity has a hostage policy that states that InterVarsity should not yield to demands, including the payment of ransom or other extortion, issued through the use of hostage taking or extortion.

5. If I am under age 18, I state that I am a mature minor (of college age and living away from parent/guardian) and have the capacity to consent to the terms of this Release.

6. Any claim or dispute arising from or related to this release shall be settled by mediation and, if necessary, legally binding arbitration in accordance with the Rules of Procedure for Christian Conciliation of the Institute for Christian Conciliation, a division of Peacemaker® Ministries (complete text of the Rules is available at www.HisPeace.org). Judgment upon an arbitration decision may be entered in any court otherwise having jurisdiction. I understand that these methods shall be the sole remedy for any controversy or claim arising out of this release and expressly waive my right to file a lawsuit in any civil court against InterVarsity for such disputes, except to enforce an arbitration decision.

7. I certify that I am competent to agree to this Release, and have done so voluntarily.

Proceed to our on-line registration form.

Directions to Toah Nipi

Allow at least 2 hours to make your way to Toah Nipi in Friday evening traffic. Driving back on Sunday should only take about 90 minutes.

Toah Nipi, Rindge, NH
Phone: 603-899-5464 (Greg Hodgson)

Cambridge Direct Route: Take Hwy 2 West to Interstate 495 North. Take the exit for Hwy 119 (this is just a couple miles along 495) and go west. Follow Hwy 119 West to the New Hampshire state line (the road turns here and there, but is well marked). Total distance is 60 miles. Be careful going through Ashby--the police keep a keen eye on speed limits! After crossing the NH state line, go two miles, and turn left at Old Ashburnham Road (it's a crossroads, at the crest of a small hill -- there's a blue sign on the right pointing the way to Toah Nipi Retreat Center). Go 1 mile on Old Ashburnham Road, and look for the driveway for Toah Nipi on the right (#126) across from a white farm house and a large red attached barn. Drive up the driveway (bearing right up a steep incline) to the lodge. Parking is to the right of the lodge or beyond it down the hill.

Boston / Rush Hour Variation: This route is miles longer but may save time getting through the rush hour traffic on Hwy 2 in Concord. If you are leaving at rush hour or going from Boston you may take the Mass. Pike (Interstate 90) west to Interstate 495 North. Exit at Hwy 119, go west and follow the directions above.