Lake June Retreat

For the fourth year in a row we have been blessed to have our Spring High School retreat at Lake June in Lake Placid, Florida courtesy of my brother-in-law and sister, Chip and Mary Jean Lafferty. This retreat is the favorite event of many of our youth and is excitedly anticipated by the middle school youth. They are only allowed to go on the ‘High School’ retreat beginning at the end of their 8^th grade year as part of their move-up rite of passage.

The Lafferty Lake House is a wonderful getaway with a fantastic dock, jet skis, a wake board boat, playroom and amazing deck overlooking the lake. The best amenity, though, is my nephew, Bob Lafferty, who comes up for the weekend and drives the boat. He teaches the youth how to wake board and how to survive tubing behind the boat. At least thats what he tells me as the youth are always talking about the ‘fun’ rides Bob gives them as they ride the tubes behind the boat. Everyone sleeps well on Saturday night after tubing all day and playing water basketball and other fun things.

We have a few traditions at the lake house like; chocolate chip pancakes and bacon for breakfast, lasagna and macaroni and cheese for dinner and lots of chocolate chip cookies. We always stop at the Wendy’s in Clewiston on the way up and the way back. There is a Little Caesar’s and a Subway nearby, too. 

The retreat always includes a serious discussion and lesson for the high school youth. This year we compared the Beatitudes to the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. The discussion was very interesting and continued on the dock afterward. 

This year we had sixteen youth and three chaperones at the lake. There were a few blow up air mattresses as the girls occupied the master suite and the guys filled in the rest of the bedrooms, futons and couches. 

The weather was warm and sunny and this translated to a lot of time on the water. A few sunburns were inevitable. The rope swing on the neighbor’s dock next door also saw a lot of action. You can see some videos captured by Alex Holian on our Facebook page; True Disciples Youth Ministry. 

Everyone feels blessed to be able to have such an awesome retreat in a beautiful setting and at a wonderful home. Special thanks to Heidi Aspinwall, Bob Lafferty and, of course, Chip and Mary Jean Lafferty for allowing us to continue this great tradition. I also praise and thank God for the depth and honesty of our youth in discussing serious things and keeping it real.