Welcome to the Life Skills Retreat Page!

Welcome to Oak Park Life Skills Retreat Page.  We hope that this experience proves to be both rewarding and enlightening to you.  The retreat will be held at Camp Hilltop/Hess Kramer in Malibu.  The retreat is designed to help you learn more about yourself, your relationship with friends, and your relationships with family.  Know that the retreat will address both the social and emotional aspects of the person, and relationships.

• Retreatants leave on Wednesday after school, and return Saturday at approximately 5:00 p.m.

• To contact the retreat leaders prior to your child's scheduled retreat email: jappell@oakparkusd.org

  Packing Information:
   
  The following is a list of items that you may find useful:
  • Warm jacket/sweater/sweats (cold morning and evenings)
  • Several changes of shorts/tops (warm days)
  • Extra pairs of socks, Tennis Shoes, Sandals (if warm enough)
  • Towels-bath and face
  • Soap and all personal toiletries
  • Snack food that you will share
  • Any internal medication: prescription drugs, aspirin/Tylenol, cough syrup, etc…
  • Sheets, blanket, pillow, and/or a sleeping bag (if you wish to be warmer)
  • Flashlight, Camera, umbrella (if raining)
  • The Campsite will not provide sheets, blankets or towels.  Be sure you bring them.

  Please let me know if you have any special dietary needs

  You may leave all of your belongings in H3 when you arrive at school on Wednesday.^.   Or, if you do not have a 5^th or 6^th period that day, you may return home to gather your belongings.  Just be certain you are in the parking lot before 3:10 p.m. 

  Do not bring any alcohol or illegal drugs.  Smoking on retreat is prohibited as well. If you bring radios, walkmans, or cards, you will be asked to put these items away at the retreat location. 

  I cannot stress the prohibition against drugs or alcohol enough.  Anyone bringing alcohol or drugs will be sent home from the retreat and will put his/her graduation in jeopardy.

  You will not need a watch or alarm clock so please do not bring one with you.  Additionally,  please do not bring cell phones.  This only takes away from the retreat experience.

  Please be aware that confidentiality will be stressed on the retreat, however, the leaders will follow the reporting policy for child abuse as outlined in the Oak Park handbook.

  Please be in the parking lot no later than 3:10 on Wednesday as the buses will depart by 3:30.  On Saturday, you will return to Oak Park sometime after 5:00 p.m., depending on traffic.

  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask me.  I am happy you chose to be part of the program and hope that you enjoy your experience.

  Sincerely,
  Dr. Appell,
  Life Skills Retreat Director