Chapter Officers Retreat for Excellence

September 20-22, 2013

The Kaplan Mitchell Retreat and Conference Center
Formerly Tumbling Waters

70 Darom Lane Clayton, Georgia

Georgia TSA Chapter Officers Retreat for Excellence

Table of Contents Page 3: Page 4: Page 5: Page 6: Page 7: Page 8: Page 9: CORE Purpose, Goals, and Overview NEW for 2013: Preliminary TECH DAY Event Competitions Opportunities, Supply List, Drop Off and Pick Up Procedures Tentative Agenda Kaplan Mitchell Retreat and Conference Center Waiver Georgia TSA Personal/Medical/Photo Release Directions to Camp

For more information on The Kaplan Mitchell Retreat and Conference Center/Ramah Darom visit their website at: http://kaplanmitchell.org/

Online Registration Due Friday, August 23, 2013 $45 Chapter Fee $120 per participant
Make check payable to and mail to: GA TSA P.O. Box 2304 Acworth, GA 30102
Each student must have the Waiver for Use of Camp Facility and GA TSA Personal Liability forms completed. These forms are also available for download on the Georgia TSA website at www.gatsa.org . Each advisor should have a copy to turn it at registration as well as a copy for their records.

Purpose
The CORE program is designed to provide Georgia TSA local chapter officers with an opportunity to develop interpersonal and leadership skills, gain necessary knowledge and abilities to carry out the duties of their individual offices, and prepare a Chapter Program of Work for the upcoming school year.

Specific CORE Goals

Participants will develop an understanding of their personal characteristics and leadership traits. Participants will build teamwork and team spirit with their local chapter officers. Participants will gain knowledge, understanding and the ability to implement their officer duties. Participants, working together with their Chapter Officer Team, will develop a local Program of Work that is designed to ensure a successful year in Georgia TSA. Participants will have the opportunity to earn their Statesman Award. Participants will increase their understanding of the responsibilities of being a Georgia TSA State Officer.

CORE Overview
Registration Fee is $120 per participant. Deadline is Friday, August 17, 2012! New for 2012: Chapters may register one student for each specific office and you may enter up to 7 members-at-large. There is a limited number of beds available. They will be filled, based on first come, first serve. Once the space is filled, registration will be closed. Limit is 15 students per chapter. Please register online at www.registermychapter.com/tsacore . Meals - All meals are included in the registration fee beginning with Friday evening dinner, Saturday breakfast, lunch and dinner, and concluding with Sunday breakfast. There are generous portions served at each buffet-style meal. Everyone should be on time for each meal as serving time is limited. There are no vending machines to purchase drinks or snacks. Lodging - Lodging is included in the registration fee. Participants will be housed in Cabin-Style Lodges that will accommodate between 16 and 20 campers in bunk beds. Cabins have a large bath area. Each cabin has a separate room for advisors. Participants will need to bring linens with a blanket or sleeping bag and a pillow for their bunk bed, towels for their bathroom, and a beach towel for swimming. Dress Code - As part of their registration fee, all participants will receive a CORE T-shirt to be worn on Saturday. Comfortable clothes for camping are encouraged, such as blue jeans, shorts, T-shirts, tennis shoes and/or sandals for hiking. You will need a light jacket preferably one that is rain-proof. You will need pants of some type for the evening as it gets much cooler in the mountains when the sun goes down! Dress clothing and high-heels of any type are discouraged. Bathing suits should be in good taste and be covered while going to and from the lake. Shorts and tank tops should be school appropriate clothing. No bedroom attire allowed outside of cabins, including slippers. No exposed undergarments. Advisors should ensure that students in their chapter are dressed appropriately at all times! GA TSA has the right to ask any student to change attire that is deemed inappropriate! Packing Students may bring ONE suitcase or duffel bag for clothing and personal items and 1 XL Zip-lock bag for bedding. (XL Zip-lock bags usually sold at Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Big Lots, etc.) There should be no loose items and all bags need to be easy for you to carry to and from your cabin. Be prepared to pack wet clothing back in your bags for the trip home! Attitude - Having a positive attitude is of utmost importance in the learning process! Advisors are encouraged to bring students that display a positive attitude towards working and learning with others. Our agenda is focused on bonding chapter members together so that they can develop team spirit and have a successful school year. 3

TECH DAY Competitive Events at CORE

*New for 2013: Static events in red will be turned in at CORE or electronically submitted by Midnight, September 20, 2013* None of those events will be accepted at the Rally. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE COMPETITIONS AND THE RALLY ARE TWO SEPARATE EVENTS AND REQUIRE SEPARATE REGISTRATION. Technology Day Rally October 7, 2013 Reaves Arena, Georgia National Fairgrounds Rally Registration Deadline: Sept. 13, 2013

By September 13, 2013.

Advisors are required to register online at GeorgiaNationalFair.com - for ALL competitions (http://www.georgianationalfair.com/youth-educational-exhibits/) Late entries will not be accepted. Exhibitors will be required to turn in a copy of their online registration confirmation to check-in for Competitions. To register for Tech Day Rally: www.registermychapter.com/tsa/ga-td. For additional rally information, contact Steve Price, Georgia TSA Executive Director (678-551-0840 or sprice@gatsa.com) COMPETITIONS Pre-judged Competitions: *New for 2013: Pre-judged Competitions will be turned in at CORE or electronically submitted by 11:59 p.m, September 13, 2013. These events will be judged during CORE (Chapter Officer Retreat for Excellence) and not at the Rally. None of those events will be accepted at the Rally. On-site Competitions: will be judged on site with an interview or testing and will be turned in October 7, 2013 by 10:45 a.m. TSA Events See complete official contest and rules at:

http://www.georgianationalfair.com/files/2013/05/2013-TSA.pdf Pre-judged Competitions (at CORE) 01 Georgia TSA Pin Design 02 Membership Recruitment High School 02 Membership Recruitment Middle School 03 Promotional Design 04 Shirt Design 1st 2nd 3rd 4th $100 $75 $50 $25 5th -7th $15 On-site Competitions
05 Architectural Design 06 Best in Show Dragster 07 Catapult Design Challenge 08 Green Design 09 Rube Goldberg 10 Structural Bridge

8th -10th $10

Ribbons to the top 10 in each event Plaque to Event Champions Plaque and Cash Award to Superior Chapter Plaque and Cash Award to Reserve Superior Chapter
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Additional Opportunities
Outdoor Activities Included in the registration fee are a variety of outdoor activities: Low Ropes, Climbing Wall, Lake Activities, including swimming and canoeing. High Ropes Course is available at an additional cost of $10 each, to cover the additional supervision. Availability is limited to five time slots (40 total students) on Friday and 8 time slots (88 total students) on Saturday. Registration for the High Ropes will close once the limit has been reached. Bonfire Weather permitting the final activity for Friday night will be a TSA Bonfire. Tumbling Waters (approved) Smore Kits will be pre-sold at registration for $2.00 each and picked up after vespers Friday night. Statesman Test Participants will have an opportunity to take the Statesman Award test on Saturday evening after dinner. A study guide can be found on the Georgia TSA website. Leukemia and Lymphoma Light the Night Walk We will hold a Light the Night walk after the Talent Showcase on Saturday evening. Fabulous prizes awarded to the Brightest Chapter. Be creative! Use flashlights, glowsticks, anything but an open flame to illuminate your chapter for the night walk! TSA Talent Showcase - Open to anyone or any group who would like to showcase their talents! Singing, dancing, playing a musical instrument, drama and poetry are just a few things that you can do. Whatever you choose to present, please make sure it is in good taste. Your talent showcase should be no more than 4 minutes in length. Entry form must be submitted at Registration. STEM Wars - We will carry the theme of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math throughout the weekend with competitions between teams. Relay games, tug-of-war, Rock-Paper-Scissors, Speed Creed and more!

Suggested Personal Supply List and Cell Service

The following is a suggested list of items to bring for your stay, but we do not recommend that you bring portable entertainment devices. Money or other valuables are your responsibility to secure. The cabins are not secured. GA TSA nor Tumbling Waters will be responsible for missing items! There is virtually NO cell reception at the camp! Emergency contact should be made through the Tumbling Waters Camp Office. Comfortable clothes for daily events Clothes for recreational activities (ropes course/swimsuit) Outerwear for cool/rainy weather Extra shoes in case one pair gets wet Umbrella / rain poncho / hat Flashlight Alarm Clock Bug Spray Sunscreen Large Trash Bags for dirty/muddy clothes Personal Grooming Items Linens / Sleeping Bag / Blanket / Pillow Towels / Washcloth Camera / Batteries Money for the TSA store 5

Drop off and Pick Up Procedures: Arrival:

1. Charter Buses Will drop off and pick up at the shop you will pass this area before you get to the lake as you come in on Persimmon Road. Your cabin registration information will be there for you. Bags will be tagged and participants will walk from here to your cabin. 2. School Buses and all other vehicles - you will stop by the Welcome Center to check in and receive your cabin assignment. All bags will be tagged at this point and participants will walk from here. 3. Parking is limited Cars and buses that stay for the weekend must stay parked!

Departure:
1. Sunday Morning Egress - Charter Buses: The charter buses should be here early enough to be staged at the recreation room before departure time. We will load all charter buses at the Recreation room no matter the weather. Chapters riding charter busses should have their luggage packed and ready to be taken to the Recreation Room immediately after the end of the Closing Session. 2. School buses and Personal Cars: These guests will be responsible for their own luggage and should load their cars or buses before breakfast to expedite their departure.

Tentative Schedule Subject to Change

Friday 2:00 6:00 2:00 6:00 2:00 6:00 2:00 5:30 5:00 5:00 6:30 5:30 6:30 7:00 8:30 Cabin Check-In Welcome Center Registration Multipurpose Room Tech Day Contest Turn-in Worship Center Chapter Recreation Time Advisory Council Meeting Multipurpose Room GA TSA Logo Store Dining Hall - Lakeside Dinner Dining Hall First General Session Covered Basketball Court Opening Ceremony, Opening Remarks, Goals for the conference 8:45 9:30 Program of Work Training Breakout Sessions Multiple Sites 9:45 10:00 Vespers Covered Basketball Court Closing thoughts, Chapter Spirit Awards, Chapter Assignments 10:00 10:45 Bon Fire (weather permitting) / Smores Kits available for purchase 11:00 Curfew Saturday 7:00 8:00 Breakfast Dining Hall 8:30 9:00 Second General Session Covered Basketball Court 9:00 5:00 Tech Day Events Voting Worship Center 9:00 9:30 Program of Work Training Covered Basketball Court 9:00 5:00 Program of Work Development, Chapter Team-Building, Recreational Time 9:30 10:15 Groups S & T Chapter Officer Training Sessions 2:00 2:45 Groups E & M Chapter Officer Training Sessions 11:00 12:00 Lunch for Groups S & T Dining Hall 12:00 1:00 Lunch for Groups E & M Dining Hall 1:00 2:00 Statesman Award Study Session Dining Hall 3:00 4:00 Swimming at the Lake/Alpine Tower 4:00 5:00 STEM WARS Activity Field 5:30 6:30 Dinner Dining Hall Chapter Presidents are responsible for turning in the Program of Work Projects. Box set up in Dining Hall. Make sure that chapter name is on projects! 7:00 8:00 Statesman Award Testing Dining Hall 8:30 Talent Showcase Covered Basketball Court 9:30 Light the Night Assembly Beginning and ending at the Covered Basketball Court 10:30 Vespers Covered Basketball Court 11:00 Curfew Sunday Drop-off luggage in designated area by 8:00 7:15 Non-Denominational Devotion (optional) Worship Center 7:30 8:30 Breakfast Dining Hall 9:00 10:00 Developing a Successful Chapter 10:1510:45 Closing Session Covered Basketball Court Presentation of Statesman Award Recipients, Closing Remarks, Closing Ceremony 7

WAIVER FOR USE OF CAMP FACILITIES

To be completed by all adults attending or parents of children under 18 attending a retreat at The Kaplan Mitchell Retreat and Conference Center /Ramah Darom

I, _____________________________, individually and/or on behalf of my child(ren) ______________________________________, do hereby release and discharge Ramah Darom and/or The Kaplan Mitchell Retreat and Conference Center, its employees, agents, officers, directors and representatives, for loss, injury, damage, costs or expenses of any nature whatsoever arising out of my or my child(ren)s use of Ramah Daroms property, facilities, activities, buildings, equipment or any other property. I understand that part of the retreat experience involves activities and group interactions that may be new to our children, and that they come with uncertainties beyond what they may be used to dealing with at home. I am aware of these risks, and assume them ourselves and on behalf of our children. I realize that no environment is risk-free, and so we have instructed our children on the importance of abiding by the retreats rules, and we and our children agree that they are familiar with these rules and will obey them. I further acknowledge that I/we are being granted use of the facilities, and that I am signing this release and waiver as an inducement to The Kaplan Mitchell Retreat and Conference Center and/or Ramah Darom for its permission to use the facilities, and that I have reviewed this document in its entirety and that I agree to and understand its terms. It is agreed that any dispute or cause of action arising between the parties, whether out of this agreement or otherwise, can be brought in the court (Rabun County Clerk of Superior Court) located in of competent jurisdiction located in Rabun County, in the State of Georgia, and shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Georgia.

Signed:______________________________ Date: ________________________

(Low ropes are included in your registration fees.)

LINK TO REQUIRED CONFERENCE FORMS:

http://www.gatsa.org/connect/advisors.htm

AllChapterAdvisorsarerequiredtosubmitthe followingformsatcheckinatTheCamp.

AdvisorsAgreement CodeofBehavior MedicalLiabilityPhotoRelease

A COPY OF EACH OF THESE FORMS MUST BE KEPT BY THE STATE AND CHAPTER ADVISORS AT THE CONFERENCE AND GIVEN TO APPROPRIATE MEDICAL AUTHORITIES IN THE EVENT OF A MEDICALEMERGENCY.

Cap off Friday Night 10:00 10:45 at the

CORE Bonfire (weather permitting)

T.W. Signature S'mores Kits (Skewers with Graham crackers, marshmallows & chocolate) available for $2.00 at Registration

Weather Permitting, GA TSA will provide a bonfire for all to enjoy before curfew on Friday Night.

What is a campfire without S'mores?

Skewers with Graham crackers, marshmallows & chocolate all meet the camps Kosher food requirements
Kit orders will be available for $2.00 per person and are Sold only at Registration.
Please complete this form and give it along with payment to Mrs. Sylvia Phillips at our registration desk on your arrival or before registration closes so that the camp can fill all orders in time for the bonfire.
Chapter School Name - __________________________________________ Number of Smores Kits Requested _________________ X $1.50 each Amount paid at Registration: $_________________ GA TSA Staff ___________________________________________________
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Tumbling Waters Signature S'mores Kits include:

Come prepared to be The Brightest Chapter during the GA TSA - CORE Light the Night Walk

a Saturday Night CORE Tradition!

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Name(s)________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Chapter ________________________________________________________________ Advisor________________________________________________________________ Describe Your Talent/Act

Special Needs: If music is involved, did you bring the music with you?

(Yes / No)

Are you playing an instrument? (Yes / No) Need Electricity? Yes / No Other:

All talent acts are reminded that performances at CORE must be in good taste and meet our code of conduct requirements. Language must be appropriate for a school related event. Submit this form at upon arrival at registration desk.

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Directions to Clayton, GA From Atlanta, GA

I-85 North TO I-985 North then Highway 365N to Hwy 441N into Clayton

Directions from Clayton, GA - to The Kaplan Mitchell Retreat and Conference Center
US 441 NORTH TO US-76 WEST. Once in Clayton, Pass the McDonalds on the left, US 76 West is at the next light. TURN ONTO 76 WEST (Savannah Street), Landmarks -Dairy Queen, Citgo Gas AND TRAVEL ABOUT 7.5 MILES. Once you pass Marks Marine and Lake Burton Grocery (on left hand side of the road) travel about a quarter of a mile and TURN RIGHT ONTO PERSIMMON ROAD (paved road). If you reach the Y Camp or Lake Burton, you have passed the Persimmon Road turn off.

CONTINUE FOR 7.5 MILES ON PERSIMMON ROAD, If at any point there is a fork in the road, remain to the left. You will see the camp on the left hand side. CONTINUE ON THE PAVED ROAD, DRIVING ALONGSIDE THE CAMP. DRIVE OVER THE ONE-VEHICLE BRIDGE. THE ROAD SURFACE THEN CHANGES FROM PAVED TO GRAVEL. MAKE AN IMMEDIATE LEFT TURN INTO THE ENTRANCE OF RAMAH DAROM and you will see the Welcome Center.

HAVE A SAFE TRIP!

IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS: RAMAH DAROM RETREAT CENTER - CLAYTON: (706) 782-9307 or (706) 782-9400 Dining Hall Emergency Pager (706) 782-9073 RAMAH DAROM ATLANTA OFFICE: (404) 531-0801 Questions Please direct any questions you may have to Steve Price, Executive Director, sprice@gatsa.org or 678-551-0840.
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The Climbing Wall

The Alpine Tower The Odyssey Course

For more information on The Kaplan Mitchell Retreat and Conference Center at Ramah Darom, visit their website at http://kaplanmitchell.org/
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