By Sammi McCubbins, Crescendo Coach and Brielle “Lava” Cosgrove, Program Assistant, Cascades Camp and Conference Center
Sammi’s Reflection:
The first Sixties + Retreat was a great success for a multitude of reasons. Community was established the first evening among those attending with the warm and friendly “get to know each other” mingling. From that first moment on the folks were engaged in every aspect of the retreat: worshiping together, eating together, attending workshops together, enjoying daytrips together, playing games together, working puzzles together, meeting new friends and learning together. The whole week-end was about mutual participation, transparency, unity and relationships, just like the early Christians in Acts.
The accommodations, meals and attention to every detail was meticulously carried out by the wonderful staff and volunteers at the camp. For me personally the highlight was meeting so many wonderful people beginning or in the midst of navigating their lives through the second half of life. I loved sharing how the kingdom-focused CRESCENDO ministry can be helpful to those transitioning from one exciting season of life to another.
As a result of the information gained, CRESCENDO workshops will be happening throughout our conference this year as some churches begin to implement the SPICES framework to vital living with their older adults ministries.
I believe in the future, Sixties + Retreats at the camp will be bustling with more older adult “campers” seeking a renewed vitality for living life to the fullest… spiritually, physically, intellectually, socially (community), emotionally and in service. If you missed this one, plan to be at a future Sixties + Retreat.
Brielle’s Reflection:
Greetings again from Cascades!
Things are typically pretty quiet at camp in January, but this year we’ve added a brand new event that we just wrapped up last week: our first annual Sixties+ Retreat! This event was a collaboration between Cascades and Crescendo, a Covenant ministry “focused on equipping pastors, staff, and church leaders to unleash the potential of boomers and beyond to engage in the work of God’s kingdom.” Together, we came up with an engaging and relaxing program, hoping to provide inspiring activities, point to God’s great love, and foster meaningful connections to last for many years to come.
We were blessed to be able to welcome approximately 50 participants – an encouraging number for a brand new event! Covenant churches from across the Northwest helped us spread the word about the retreat, bringing in a wonderful group of adults from a variety of backgrounds. Whether brand new to Cascades or seasoned campers, attending with a spouse or ready to make new friends, it was clear that all were excited to experience a refreshing time together with each other and the Lord.
The retreat’s worship sessions included inspiring messages by several gifted speakers, including: Alan Forsman, Debbie Blue, and Evelyn Johnson from the Covenant Crescendo team, as well as Mark Novak and Dawn Taloyo. Their words challenged us to ponder matters of trust and vulnerability, staying fresh in our faith, sharing our testimonies, and being a living sacrament for the Lord.
We were also excited to offer several engaging workshops on a variety of topics, including relevant themes like discipleship and mentoring, a presentation on Japanese bonsai and tea gardens, and more, provided by Clyde Ohta, Nancy Carlson, Sammi McCubbins, and the Crescendo team. During these workshops, attendees got the chance to learn, share, and connect with smaller groups of peers.
Beyond formal presentations, participants also got the opportunity to experience Cascades in its fullest as they explored the grounds and participated in activities. Zip lining (congratulations to the 5 brave souls who tried it out!), guided walks, boating, a history tour of Cascades via hay ride, disc golf, and more gave everyone the opportunity to get out in God’s creation, make memories, and form connections with each other.
For those who preferred to experience our first snow of the season from the comfort of the indoors instead, there were puzzles and games, chances to cozy up with a good book, 1-on-1 sessions with spiritual directors, about 30 total gallons of coffee consumed, and countless great conversations around the fireplace and beyond.
Overall, it was an abundantly life-giving weekend for all, filled with laughter, genuine connection, and praising God together – we already can’t wait until next year!
