West Texas
December 6, 2025
Bacon Heights Baptist Church
5110 54th St • Lubbock, TX
This retreat is for individuals aged 12 and older with cognitive or intellectual disabilities, their parents and chaperones, and church leaders.
This retreat is made possible by your gifts to the Cooperative Program, Mary Hill Davis Offering, and Texas Baptist Missions Foundation.
Special Entertainment for Special Friends
- Bible study, crafts, and a talent show
Special Session for Parents & Caregivers
Led by Scott Sharman & Jim De Hoog
Program Personalities
- Camp Pastor – Scott Sharman, Alsbury Baptist Church, Burleson
- Worship Leader – Jim DeHoog, Hospice Chaplain for AccentCare, San Antonio
Registration
Registration Fee (includes lunch and snacks)
- $25 per person
A firm deadline for registrations is November 4, 2025.
After November 4, 2025, registration fee increases to $35 per person.
Lists must be submitted to sarah.johnson[at]texasbaptists.org by November 4, 2025. Invoices will be sent for your church after November 4, 2025.
Medical release forms must be completed by November 20, 2025.
A medical release form must be completed for each participant and will be available for download. Medical release forms can be scanned and emailed to sarah.johnson[at]texasbaptists.org or mailed to the address below.
Make checks payable to Texas Baptists and send to:
Texas Baptists
Attn: Finance & Accounting
7557 Rambler Road, Suite 1100
Dallas 75231-2310
Scholarships
A limited number of partial scholarships are available. The scholarships include lunch and snacks. Please email Sarah Johnson at sarah.johnson[at]texasbaptists.org to request a scholarship form.
Background Checks and Abuse Awareness Training
In order to protect our campers and everyone who attends the Special Friends Retreat, all leaders, caregivers, parents, sponsors, and chaperones will be required to complete a background check and sexual abuse prevention training through MinistrySafe. Background checks and training must be renewed each year. Background check and training costs will be covered by Texas Baptists. Because background checks can take an extended amount of time in some areas, please send a list of all leaders, caregivers, parents, sponsors, and chaperones, including email addresses, to sarah.johnson[at]texasbaptists.org by October 15, 2025.
All background check forms must be submitted no later than November 10, 2025. If a leader, caregiver, parent, sponsor, or chaperone does not submit their background check information by this date, they will be unable to participate in the retreat. Similarly, if a leader, caregiver, parent, sponsor, or chaperone does not meet Texas Baptists standards on their background check, they will be unable to participate in the retreat this year or in subsequent years. For more information on what may disqualify a leader, caregiver, parent, sponsor, or chaperone, please email jennifer.howington[at]texasbaptists.org.
Contact
Sarah Johnson
Childhood Ministry Program Coordinator/Ministry Assistant, Discipleship & Nextgen