Fall Retreat

Hello Sinfonia East Families, 

We are excited for your upcoming Fall Retreat on Saturday, September 20. Please read through the details below. If your student must be absent for the retreat, complete a Sinfonia East absence form.  

RETREAT INFORMATION  

Saturday, September 20, 2025, 10:00am–3:00pm 

YMCA Camp St. Croix, 532 County Road F, Hudson, WI 54016 

PLEASE NOTE: Look for the sign that says “YMCA CAMP ST. CROIX SOUTH ENTRANCE.” There are two entrances to Camp St. Croix, and Sinfonia East will rehearse at the Lodge/South location. It’s across the street from Rivercrest Elementary School.  

Transportation: Bus registration closed on September 8. Included is a list of students who have registered for the bus. Students not on the list will need to arrange to be dropped off and picked up at Camp. Parent chaperones will assist with our East and West Metro buses. 

Volunteers: Our volunteer sign-up is now full! Thanks so much to everyone who signed up. Volunteers, you’ll receive instructions from Sara Minder soon.  

SCHEDULE  

BUS TRANSPORTATION: Check the bus roster to confirm your location. 

East Metro bus: 

• 8:45am: Parents drop off students at bus departure site: Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran Church, 1669 Arcade St, St Paul, MN 55106. Check-in with staff prior to boarding. The East metro bus will be departing promptly at 9:00am! 

West Metro bus: 

• 8:30am: Parents drop off students at bus departure site: Good Samaritan United Methodist Church, 5730 Grove St, Edina, MN 55436. Use the east/lower parking lot. The West metro bus will be departing promptly at 8:45am!  

DRIVING SEPARATELY TO CAMP 

• 9:40am: Students not taking the bus arrive at Camp St. Croix. Follow signs to rehearsal location. 

RETREAT SCHEDULE 

• 9:45am: Buses arrive at Camp St. Croix  
• 10:00am: Rehearsal 
• 11:30am: Snack (GTCYS provided) 
• 11:45am: Team-building activities led by Camp St. Croix staff 
• 1:15pm: Lunch outside 
  • Students bring their own packed lunches.  
  • NO NUTS policy: Do not bring anything containing nuts to any GTCYS activity. 
• 2:00pm: Rehearsal 
• 2:45pm: Pack and board buses (students not riding the bus can depart). 
• 3:00pm: Depart 

DEPARTING FROM CAMP 

• 3:00pm: Students depart Camp St. Croix by bus or leave directly from camp if not riding the bus. Students not riding the bus MUST be picked up by 3:00pm. 

BUS PICKUP 

• 3:45pm: Parents pick up East Metro bus students at Gustavus Adolphus Church 
• 4:00pm: Parents pick up West Metro bus students at Good Samaritan Church 

INSTRUMENTS

Instrument Storage on the bus 

• Cellos, trombones, tubas, basses, and horns will be transported to Camp St. Croix in the lower storage area on the coach busses. Ask a chaperone to help you load your instrument. 
• All other instruments should go inside the bus in the seats with you. Students may be asked to load their instrument on a separate bus, depending on seating availability.  
• Harp students must arrange for transportation of their instruments to camp. GTCYS will NOT be transporting harps to and from camp. 

FOOD 

• Eat a solid breakfast before the retreat. 
• Bring a water bottle! 
• GTCYS will provide school-safe snacks in the morning.  
• Students bring their own packed lunches.  
• NO NUTS policy: Do not bring anything containing nuts to any GTCYS activity. 

WHAT TO BRING  

• Dress comfortably in layers and wear clothing and shoes appropriate for muddy terrain and possible rain. The team-building activities take place outside and will happen rain-or-shine. Please check the forecast before you leave home and bring rain gear if necessary!    

Items to Bring 

• Signed retreat waiver  
• What should I bring to rehearsals? 
• Clothespins (in case your conductor directs you to rehearse outside) 
• Comfortable clothing for outdoor activities  
• Sturdy closed-toe tennis shoes (no sandals) 
• Necessary medications with detailed directions  
• Rain gear and bug repellant (the team-building is outdoors and will go on rain or shine!)  

WHAT NOT TO BRING  

• Personal valuables, homework, money, games, and electronic tablets or portable game devices 

BEHAVIOR  

Students are expected to act appropriately and respectfully towards peers and adults, including fellow students, GTCYS and YMCA staff, and the parent chaperones who are volunteering their time.  

We can’t wait to make music with you!