MAC Weekend Away 2024

Jesus taught his disciples in community. Church is like a weekly family meal—if you miss it you stop connecting properly.

The Weekend Away is more like a family holiday, an opportunity to build memories, grow in God’s word and invest in relationships. Weekends away are also fast tracks for people who are brand new at church to feel like they belong. This is true for adults, and perhaps even more so for kids.

Dates:
Friday 18th – Sunday 20th October 2024

Location:
The Tops Conference Centre,
51 Bendena Gardens,
Stanwell Tops NSW 2508

View site map

Ticket prices have been discounted thanks to the generosity of our church family at our Camp One and Weekend Away auction from February.

Tickets:

Full time Saturday Sunday
Adults $190 $90 $60
High School $110 $50 $35
Primary School $95 $40 $25
Preschool (3-5) $60 $25 $10
Infants (0-2) $20 $10 $8
Family max $630 – –

We don’t want anyone to miss out on the Weekend Away because of finances. If you need assistance, please contact Andrew Barry at the church office on 9541 0990 or send an email.

Earlybird rate: Access these discounted prices above until Monday 30th September.

Registration closes 9th October. Special diet submissions close Monday 30th September.

REGISTER NOW

If you are wishing to book a seat on our free bus service, click this link.

FREE BUS SERVICE TIMES


FRIDAY

Friday night: Youth and Leaders needing a lift down to Stanwell after the Youth program has finished. Bus leaving at 8.30pm.

SATURDAY

For those who have registered for Saturday (lunch and dinner is included in the price)

Saturday morning: Pick up 8am from church carpark.

Saturday evening: Leaving Stanwell Tops Conference Centre 8.30pm (arrive back at church by 9pm)

SUNDAY

For those who have registered for Sunday (lunch is included in the price)

Sunday morning: Pick up 8am from church carpark.

Sunday Afternoon: Leaving Stanwell Tops Conference Centre 2.30pm (arrive back at church by 3:00pm)

Speaker: John Woodhouse

John is a world-renown theologian and Bible teacher. He served as principal of Moore Theological College from 2002 to 2013. Prior to his position as Principal, he also pastored Christ Church St Ives (Anglican) for more than 10 years. John Woodhouse has written several commentaries, including on 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings and 2 Kings. John has spoken at conferences like the Proclamation Trust and CMS Summer School.

John will be speaking on a very important part of the Old Testament story that has huge relevance for us today. His talks will be called “The book that changed the world” and will be based on young king Josiah’s rediscovery of the word of God and the difference that made to his kingdom. Read 2 Kings 22-26.

The children’s programme will be focusing on Jesus’ teaching on salt and light from Matthew 5. So both will be dealing the with how the world is changed.

Friday Evening

Have dinner at home or bring it with you. Check in is from 6pm; arrive when you’re able to.

6.00pm Arrive, check in, settle into rooms and walk around the site
7.30pm Intros, fun and fireside chat
8.30pm Supper
Bedtime for most kids
Board games and relax

Saturday

7.30am Breakfast in the Dining Room
9.00am Meeting in the Auditorium
Session 1
Kids program for Comets-Yr 6
10.30am Morning Tea
11.00am Session 2
Kids program for Comets-Yr 6
12.30pm Lunch in the Dining Room
1.15pm Free time
Includes pool, tennis court and other organised activities
2.30pm Free time
Includes optional workshops sessions
4.00pm Free time
Includes optional workshops session
6.00pm Dinner
7.00pm Fun night
8.30pm Supper
Bed time for most kids

Sunday

7.30am Breakfast in the Dining Room
9.00am Session 3
Kids program for Comets-Yr 6
10.30am Morning Tea
11.00am Session 4
Kids program for Comets-Yr 6
12.30pm Lunch
1.15pm Gather one last time
2.00pm Depart

  • Bible and pen
  • Clothes, hat and closed-in shoes
  • Pillow slip and bed sheets or sleeping bag. Note: Each bed has 1 doona, a bottom sheet (which acts as a mattress protector) and 1 pillow with a pillow protector.
  • Sunscreen, insect repellant and torch
  • Optional: Swimming gear for the pool, board games, balls & sport equipment, good walking shoes and snacks (allergy aware)

The Tops Conference Centre is set on 200 acres of prime bushland in Stanwell Tops and is a great location for a relaxing getaway. All meals (including morning tea, afternoon tea and supper) are fully catered.

Accommodation is camp-style, with bunk beds in most rooms. Most rooms have ensuites. Families with kids will stay together and we’ll do our best to allocate everyone a room they’re comfortable with.

Saturday afternoon will be a great time to build relationships and have fun together. There’s lots to do around the site like bushwalking, swimming, kite flying, games on the oval, board games and fun for kids. There’s also workshops planned on special interest topics.

We hope to see lots of kids at the Weekend Away! Our own Infinity Kids team will run a program during the morning sessions, and there will also be family friendly activities during free time so everyone can spend time together.

All families with kids will be roomed together. Bedding is on bunks, so bring a bed rail, air mattress or portacot for little ones.

Tops Conference Site at Stanwell Park is approximately 30 minutes from Barden Ridge.

Address:
The Tops Conference Centre
51 Bendena Gardens, Stanwell Tops NSW 2508

View site map.

Friday evening: Greeters will help direct you to your site

Saturday and Sunday day visitors: Most activities will be held at the Conference Centre however, there is an opportunity to drive to local coffee shop, visit the beach and watch the hang gliders in action.

Parking: Parking is limited, so please consider carpooling where possible.

Buses: We are investigating an option for buses from/to church for day visitors.

Does The Tops Conference Centre cater for special dietary requirements?

The Tops aims to cater for all dietary needs including gluten free, dairy free, no egg, no nut, no seafood, vegetarian, vegan and halal. Please indicate any dietary requirements on your registration form.

Can under 18s come without a parent/guardian?

Youth and kids under 18 can attend without their parents, provided they have another family they can stay with, and who will take responsibility for them. Written permission from parents/guardians will be required. If you’re bringing someone under 18 who’s not from your family, please contact nola@menaianglican.org to discuss.

Will I have to share a room? Who will I be sharing with?

In order to fit everyone in, we’ll need to put people coming without kids into shared, single gender rooms. We’ll do our best to allocate everyone into a room they’re comfortable with. If you have concerns about room arrangements, please contact Margaret Icke on 0415 463 914 or email nola@menaianglican.org.

I’m coming full time – when does the Weekend Away start and end?

The full time rate for the whole weekend covers from 6pm Friday to 3pm Sunday. Dinner isn’t included on Friday night, so BYO or eat beforehand, and arrive on site when you’re able to.

What meals does the day rate include?

The day rates include all meals on the day’s program except breakfast. If you’re coming as a day visitor, you’re welcome to arrive earlier than the first morning session and BYO breakfast.

Can meals be available any earlier for young kids?

If your kids will be hungry before the set meal times, we suggest bringing snacks or your own meals for them. Flexibility is limited when catering for such a large group.

Is there a fridge available?

Yes – each site has either a standalone guest fridge or cold room available.

Will I get a refund if I have to cancel?

Refunds for cancellation are available until Wednesday, 9th October. After this date, refunds may be given at the discretion of the Weekend Away admin team for unavoidable situations. Email nola@menaianglican.org for enquiries.

REGISTER NOW