Brookwoods

Join us at Brookwoods Dec 28th to Jan 2nd!

For students from the following areas: Boston, New England Boarding Schools, Fairfield and Westchester Countries, New York City, Philadelphia and Baltimore. 


Join us at Brookwoods Dec 28th to Jan 2nd!  

Registration for Winter House Parties 2010-2011 opens September 1st.

Grades 7-9

 

Enjoy skiing and snowboarding with your friends on the 51 trails of Gunstock Mountain. The Brookwoods Conference Center on Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire's ski country hosts our house party for 7th-9th graders. Even when we aren't skiing and snowboarding, there is always plenty of fun: sledding, competing at foosball or ping-pong, and playing classic and crazy FOCUS games. The day-long FOCUS Winter Olympics and The New Year's Carnival are both special highlights of the trip. This house party offers relevant presentations about Christianity, specifically geared for younger students.  

 

What is the Program Fee?

 

The fee at Brookwoods is $730, which includes a 90-minute lesson. Equipment rentals are available for an additional $100, and helmet rentals for $30.

 

Please contact your local area staff if you would like to apply for a scholarship.

What does the Program Fee include?

All packages include:

      • Travel to and from program by bus from all FOCUS regions (except Raleigh) or airport pickup in Manchester Airport

      • Daily travel to and from ski slopes and other daily activities

      • 3-day lift ticket

      • One group ski or snowboard lesson

      • Afternoon and evening programs

      • Meals and lodging for the duration of the program, beginning with dinner on the night of arrival and breakfast the day of departure

                 

                How do I get there?

                 

                FOCUS organized bus transportation is available from: Richmond, Washington DC, Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York City, Greenwich, and Boston at no additional charge. Ask your area staff for details. The bus from Richmond typically leaves very early in the morning – it will take over 12 hours to reach Camp Brookwoods in Alton, New Hampshire. Students’ trip time is shorter as we head further north. While it is a long ride for many, the bus has become an important and fun part of the Brookwoods experience.   On the trip up and back from the program, the bus will stop for meals at service stations that have some variety of dining options. There are usually several fast food options as well as a convenience store. We recommend that students coming from furthest away bring some snacks and drinks for the ride to the program – last year several moms sent baked goods to share!   While we recommend the bus, there is an airport in Manchester, New Hampshire that students can fly into. Please inquire about acceptable flight time parameters. For parents who choose to drive their student, driving directions to the conference center are available upon request.  

                 

                What happens at the program?

                 

                FOCUS is dedicated to making a student’s time with us unforgettable. Students are welcomed to the program in time for dinner the night they arrive. Students are welcomed by a  flurry of fun games and icebreaker activities. The first full day is spent on property so students can bond on their teams for “Winter Olympics.” The challenges are new every year, but they are always fun. The remaining 3 days, the program goes to Gunstock Ski Resort for skiing or snowboarding. Those who choose not to participate, or have tired out spend time in the lodge playing games. We always have a wide range from first-time to advanced skiers and snowboarders. Leaders also have a wide variety of experience, so are able to match pace well with students on the slopes. The bus returns to Brookwoods in the late afternoon and students have an opportunity to rest, wash up, or play games before dinner. Behind the main lodge is a nice hill and about 15 snow tubes. If you’re looking for someone, you can usually find them here! After a delicious dinner, the whole program comes together for an evening meeting that includes a wide variety of elements including a fun game or icebreaker, music & singing (both familiar and new songs), a personal story from a leader, and a brief time of teaching. A special feature at Brookwoods is the “Nightly News.” The evening ends with “coffee house” (a snack and hang out time that would probably be more appropriately called “hot chocolate" house), and then to cabins to get ready and have cabin time before a 10:30pm lights out. There are some special activities including a New Years’ fireside reflection and a special (super secret) New Year’s Eve event that is not to be missed.

                 

                What are the facilities like? Where do students stay?

                 

                Most of the program takes place in Deer Run Lodge. A large upper room is our main meeting and gathering place. The downstairs holds the ping-pong, foosball, and air-hockey tables. The counter in the far corner is set up with an ever hot-water pot and packets of hot chocolate and tea. Just outside the back door is the snow-tube shed. A short walk away (sometimes through the snow!) is Moose Lodge which houses the dining hall as well as an upper room for some special activities. Students are housed in rooms, usually with 6 students and 2 leaders. The rooms have bunkbeds and either have private bathrooms or share a larger bathroom with one other room. Most of the girls’ rooms are located on a hallway within Deer Run Lodge while the boys rooms are in another nearby building.

                 

                What is the program leadership and supervision? What about safety?

                 

                Brookwoods has a leadership team made up of full time FOCUS staff and volunteer leaders. Our staff work in FOCUS regions and schools with students throughout the year. Our volunteer leaders are college students and professionals; most were involved with FOCUS as middle and high school students, and enjoy the opportunity to come back and give their time as a program leader. Every FOCUS program has a ratio of at least 1 leader for every 3 students. These small leader-student ratios are an important part of the community fostered at FOCUS programs. Safety of the students is a top priority. All leaders undergo thorough national and local background checks. Safety guidelines and emergency procedures are reviewed by the leadership team at the beginning of every program. A dedicated staff at every program is in charge of keeping track of and dispensing student medications, reviewing any injury, and following up on feelings of illness or malaise. Injuries on the slopes are handled by a medical care team at Gunstock Mountain. Other severe injury and illness is treated at the local medical clinic or hospital. If a student does fall ill or get injured, their parents will be immediately contacted and kept up to date about the situation.

                 

                What is the food like? What if I have specific food allergies?

                 

                During the program, all meals are provided by the kitchen at Camp Brookwoods. A hot breakfast and hearty dinner are provided each day at the property. When we go to Gunstock to ski, the kitchen sends a lunch consisting of sandwiches (cold cuts and cheese, or PB&J), fruit, desert, snacks and drinks. Some students enjoy splurging on snacks or a meal from the Gunstock dining hall as well. After the each night, an additional snack is provided during free time. Hot chocolate and tea are always available at Brookwoods and are a favorite with our students. We should be able to accommodate students with specific food allergies and dietary restrictions; medical forms available before the program let us know what to be aware of and what needs should be passed along to the kitchen.

                 

                What should I bring?

                 

                Linens are NOT provided at Brookwoods. Please bring a sleeping bag or sheets and blankets, a pillow and pillowcase, and a towel. Also pack warm clothes for skiing or sledding and comfortable clothes for spending time when not at the mountain or doing other activities. We suggest a couple of sweaters or sweatshirts, jeans, and other casual attire. Also, students should have a pair of boots with them. They may also want to bring sports equipment, musical instruments, or favorite board games. Students may want to bring a bit of cash for spending money for snacks at the slope.

                 

                What should I not bring?

                 

                Students should not bring alcohol, illegal drugs, or drug paraphernalia. We also ask that students do not bring computers, DVD's, personal televisions, video cameras, IPOD speakers, or PSP's. If anyone is found with such items, they will be confiscated for the remainder of the program, or (in the case of alcohol or illegal drugs) may result in the student being sent home early. Please note that FOCUS is not responsible for lost or stolen items during a program.

                 

                Register Now for a $25 discount!