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December 2005
Tips for New Conferees
Jim Hsia, Staff Writer
Even if you've been to church retreats or
other conferences, your 4 days at WCCCC promises to be a very different
experience. Here's what you can expect.
Arriving at Mount Hermon
The WCCCC Winter Conference is held every year at the Mount Hermon Christian
Conference Center. It’s in the Santa Cruz mountains of Northern
California. Be sure to give yourself ample time to drive. It's better to
get here an hour earlier--than an hour later--and miss dinner or part of
the evening message. If you drive, be sure to follow the posted speed signs;
California Highway Patrol carefully watches the traffic on Highway 17.
Once you arrive, you'll see a large "Mount Hermon" sign on your right.
Keep driving past the post office and park at the
main parking lot on the right. In the past year, they've been adding a
new building and changing the parking lot. If the lot is full, greeters will show you alternate
parking areas near the cabins. Leave your bags in the car and follow the
signs to Newton Memorial; it’s across the road from the main parking lot.
Check-In
Greeters at the Welcome Desk will guide you to the appropriate
check-in line. To avoid waiting in long lines, plan on arriving before
4pm. At 5:30pm, the doors close and you’ll need to come back for late
check-in. Dinner is served promptly at 6pm.
After you’ve checked in, head for the Administration Building to pickup
your room key. Then get your bags and follow the campground map to your
cabin. Most rooms are within a 5-10 minute walk from the Administration
Building. If you brought your flashlight, you’ll find it very helpful in
the evening.
Note: If you arrive after 9:45pm, you may not have enough time to
check-in and pickup your room key. The Mount Hermon office closes at
10pm.
Meals
All meals are served promptly in the main dining room. Dinner is at 6pm,
breakfast is 8am and lunch is 11:45am. Be prepared to show your name
badge; the meal card on the back side.
Tip:
Try to fill-up tables closest to the front stage area. Those tables get
served first. If your table finishes all the food, it's OK to ask for
seconds.
If you'd like to talk and share a meal with any of the speakers, look
for them near the front. Feel free to sit down and join them. Seating is
on a first come, first served basis.
Restrooms are located inside the dining room and on the lower level.
Main Programs
Immediately across from the dining room is the main auditorium. Morning
and evening worship and messages are presented here. Morning messages
are presented in English. Evening messages are in Cantonese (or
Mandarin) with English translations. If you find you’re missing some of
the good Chinese jokes, be sure to sit next to someone who’s willing to
translate for you.
Cabin Sharing
After the evening program, meet your cabin sharing group in the room
designated on your name badge. For the first evening, expect “ice
breaker” questions as you learn about your fellow cabin mates.
Tip:
If you're kind of shy about meeting people, just bring some snacks to
share. You'd be surprised how fast people will learn your name.
If you didn’t bring an alarm clock, ask someone to wake you up in the
morning. Personal Devotion is 7am; suggested devotional materials are in
your handbook. Breakfast starts at 8am.
Bible Study
Your name badge will indicate your Bible study group. You should be
assigned to a group matching your language preference (English,
Cantonese or Mandarin) with other students or young adults.
Free Time
During lunch, plan some activities with your new friends. Here are a few
possibilities:
- Visit display booths
- Workout in the exercise room
- Refreshments (ice cream, coffee, etc.) in the snack bar
- Check-out the bookstore
- Ping pong
- Hiking
- Sleeping
Leaving the Campgrounds
Be sure to complete the survey and turn in your room keys. Drive safely.
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