You’re invited to gather in the redwoods over the weekend.

Our lives are busy! It can be challenging to connect with others, with yourself, or with God. We hope you will set aside the weekend of October 23–25 to do just that at the GROW All-Church Retreat.

The First Pres community is heading to Redwood Christian Park in the beautiful Santa Cruz mountains. This fall marks our third GROW weekend away, which means for many this is still a new experience! So whether you are new to First Pres or new to GROW, this weekend is a great place to relax, laugh and play together, form new friendships and deepen old ones—all while enjoying the glorious nature God has created.

We’re thrilled to have Sally Steele as our retreat speaker. Sally is an ordained minister, tech founder, and nonprofit leader working at the intersection of nature, technology, and spirituality.

For fifteen years, across pulpits, boardrooms, and campfires, Sally has built “sacred spaces”—intentionally designed containers for belonging. She is co-founder and CEO of Outdoorithm Collective, a national nonprofit that brings families onto public lands for rest, nourishment, movement, and community, and of Outdoorithm, a social enterprise democratizing access to public lands for families new to the outdoors.

A 2024 REI Path Ahead Ventures Embark Fellow and 2026 member of TED Ignite, Sally is the 2025 recipient of a Louisville Institute grant for Reclaiming Sacred Ground: Nature, Liturgy, and Women of Color. She holds an MDiv from Gordon-Conwell. Sally lives in Oakland with her husband Justin and their four daughters.

The retreat will be held in the beautiful Santa Cruz mountains at Redwood Christian Park (15000 Two Bar Road, Boulder Creek).

Redwood Christian Park highly recommends following their directions below rather than using GPS.

Directions From CA-17:

  • Exit Mt. Hermon Road in Scotts Valley (take a RIGHT off the freeway if Southbound; stay on Mt. Hermon Road for 4.1 miles).
  • RIGHT on Graham Hill Road (go for 0.2 miles).
  • RIGHT on CA-9 (go for 7.2 miles through the towns of Felton, Ben Lomond, Brookdale, and Boulder Creek).
  • RIGHT on Two Bar Road (this exit is really easy to miss, so watch your odometer carefully).
  • After 0.7 miles, the RCP entrance will be on your right.
  • Please note that our address is out of sequence, so look for our entrance sign.

Redwood Christian Park lodging options:

  • LODGE ROOMS with private bathrooms for 2–4 people: FULL
  • BUNK CABINS for 2–9 people with private bathrooms (bedding and towels not included). See sample Cabin description.
  • YOUTH DORMS for 6–7 youth with advisor (bedding and towels not included).

Retreat costs per person including meals and lodging:

  • Adults (age 18+): $315 Lodge / $271 Cabin
  • Children & Youth (ages 4–17): $158 Lodge / $136 Cabin
  • Youth Dorm (grades 5–12): $136
  • Children ages birth–age 3: No charge

Additional options:

  • Saturday Only (including lunch & dinner): FULL
  • Meals without lodging: FULL

Registration payments may be made online or by check. Full payment is due by Sunday, September 20.

Scholarships are available upon request; please complete and submit the application form.

Make it possible for others to attend by donating to the Scholarship Fund!

Infants, Toddlers, and Preschool

During the plenary sessions, children birth-PreK will enjoy fun and fellowship with plenty of crafts, games, stories, and play. The beautiful early childhood facility features lots of indoor and outdoor space for our childcare program under the loving care of First Pres staff and volunteers.

Elementary School (Grades K–4)

Elementary school children will have a great experience with fantastic college and high school volunteers. Our time together during the plenary sessions will feature skits, games, Bible study, and crafts. Get ready for a memorable time of fun, friendship, and fellowship as we worship God in the redwoods!

Youth (Grades 5–12)

There will be much for our youth to enjoy: recreational activities, youth gatherings, opportunities for community engagement, and more. Youth 5th grade and up have the option of their own sleeping arrangements supervised by youth ministry advisors (Youth Dorms).

Youth attending GROW without a parent or guardian must submit a Consent Form prior to September 20.

During free time, you can join group activities such as hikes with varying levels of challenge, art workshops, and group spiritual experiences. Sign-ups for planned activities will be at the Welcome Table in the plenary session building. Join us for some intergenerational play including dodgeball, ping-pong, volleyball, corn hole, basketball, bocce ball, and board games. The Snack Shack will be open during Saturday afternoon free time for soft serve ice cream, snacks and drinks. Looking for a place to play with young children? RCP has two children’s playgrounds. For those seeking a more introverted free time or time spent with friends, the camp is full of small nooks and cozy benches to enjoy the natural environment of towering redwoods, oaks, madrones, and firs. There is a serene quiet room with comfy seating and a fireplace.

What’s the flow of the retreat weekend?

  • Friday: Check-in opens at 4 pm, followed by dinner from 6–7 pm. After dinner, we’ll gather for our first plenary session, then enjoy sips, snacks, board games, and time to unwind. Youth have their own adventures on both Friday and Saturday evenings after the main session. You will receive a retreat program at check-in that lists all activities, times, and locations.
  • Saturday: After breakfast, we’ll gather for our second plenary session, followed by the annual First Pres family photo and lunch. The afternoon (1–5:30 pm) is yours to enjoy—join a planned activity, explore Redwood Christian Park, or simply relax. After dinner, we’ll wrap up our final session with our speaker before ending the day with snacks, entertainment, and plenty of time to linger over games and conversation.
  • Sunday: We’ll share breakfast together before checking out by 9:30 am. Then we’ll gather for outdoor worship and sharing at Redwood Christian Park’s amphitheater; children through 4th grade will have their own time of worship. We’ll finish the weekend with a leisurely lunch, celebrating new friendships and memories before heading home.

I’m new to First Pres. Is this retreat a good place to get connected?

Absolutely! GROW is one of the best ways to get to know people at First Pres. Because this is only our third retreat at Redwood Christian Park, many people will be attending for the first—or second—time, so you won’t be the only one who’s new.

The weekend is intentionally designed to create space for conversation, shared meals, laughter, and simply spending time together. Whether you’re joining a planned activity, lingering over a meal, or relaxing between sessions, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to connect with people of all ages. The friendships and conversations that begin at GROW often continue long after the weekend ends, making Sunday mornings feel a little more familiar.

What’s the food like?

All meals are served buffet style with many options. Vegetarian, gluten-free, and diabetic choices are available (because of the large number of people attending, Redwood Christian Park cannot accommodate individual specific diets). The Snack Shack, open during free time on Saturday afternoon, has fabulous ice cream!!! And early risers can get a cup of coffee—before breakfast—in the Brookside Lounge.

What should I bring?

Our retreat registrar will send a number of informational emails to prepare us for the retreat…including a list of helpful things to bring.

What happens if it rains?

We will make the most of it! Rainy day plans include using our dedicated gathering spaces. Bring a game or two to share with others. Exploring nature in the rain can also be fun…bring umbrellas and rain boots for the adventure.

Is this retreat good for young children?

Yes, absolutely. During the three plenary sessions and Sunday worship, children birth through 4th grade will be cared for by our amazing Children’s Ministry staff and volunteers. They will enjoy plenty of playtime and age-appropriate activities. Additionally, for parents up early with their little ones, we highly recommend checking out the Brookside Lounge (just below the main cafeteria) for fresh coffee and fellowship with other early risers.

Still curious to learn more about GROW?

Stop by the GROW Information Table on the Patio on Sundays after worship beginning August 30. Members of our GROW Team will be there to answer your questions. Or email churchretreatregistrar@fpcberkeley.org.

Registration is now closed. For retreat questions, email churchretreatregistrar@fpcberkeley.org.