Guidelines

Retreat Center Rules

St. Stephen Coptic Orthodox Church & Retreat Center is a waterfront church and retreat center belonging to the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern USA under the auspices of His Grace Bishop Youssef and in the care of Fr. Shenouda Kalleeny. All visitors are welcomed but the following guidelines must be observed.

Check-in/Check-out
Check-in time: 3:00 pm and reasonable efforts will be made to accommodate early arrivals.
Check-out time: 1:00 pm unless special arrangements have been made with our office.

Front Desk
The front desk is opened daily from 7 am to 1 am.

Keys
All keys should be returned to the front desk at check-out.

Safety Rules
Church groups, spending an overnight retreat at the St. Stephen Coptic Orthodox Church & Retreat Center, must make safety their first and highest priority. Retreatants are responsible for their own insurance, and, by signing the reservation contract, waive all right of action against St. Stephen Coptic Orthodox Church & Retreat Center. A certificate of insurance is required to be presented to the retreat center once the church group arrives.

Animals/Pets
Please leave your pets at home. Pets are not allowed on the retreat’s premises.

Smoking, Drugs and Alcohol
The St. Stephen Coptic Orthodox Church & Retreat Center are smoke-free, drug-free and alcohol-free facilities. Use of cigarettes, drugs and alcohol is strictly forbidden.

Property
Guests are responsible for leaving the Retreat Center in the same condition (or better!) in which they were found. Please help keep the grounds clean and beautiful by not littering.

Rooms
Guests are responsible for any damages that may occur in the room and any missing furnishings. All rooms are non-smoking. All incidentals charged to the room must be reconciled during check-out.

Internet
All rooms have wireless internet that can be purchased online at a minimal fee.

Televisions
All rooms have TVs with only 4 Christian channels: 2 Arabic channels, 1 English channel, 1 kids channel.

Fitness Center

  1. Individuals utilizing this facility do so on their own risk.
  2. Individuals should not undertake exercise routine unless physically qualified and have a physician’s approval to do so.
  3. It is highly recommended that the following individuals do not use this exercise equipment:
    a. Children under the age of 13
    b. Individuals with heart problems or other significant health issues
  4. Should you need any assistance please contact the front desk.
  5. Shoes and appropriate exercising attire are required.
  6. Wipe off any excess sweat from equipment prior to leaving.
  7. Always practice safety and courtesy to others.
  8. Report any unsafe conditions to management.

Swimming Pool
The swimming pool is open for all guests who adhere to the rules for the swimming pool. Groups should follow the instructions of their Group Coordinator regarding pool usage during their retreat.

Behavior
The St. Stephen Coptic Orthodox Church & Retreat Center is a Christian facility. Christian behavior is expected from each guest. Inappropriate language is unacceptable.

Divine Liturgy
All Non-Orthodox visitors are also welcomed to attend the services, but must abide to the rules of the Coptic Orthodox Church:

  1. Men should stand on the left side of the church and women on the right side of the room.
  2. All women are required to cover their heads with a veil during service.
  3. All cell phones and/or pagers must be turned off.
  4. Only the Oriental Orthodox Christians, who are in full communion with the Coptic Orthodox Church, are allowed to partake of the Holy Communion.
  5. Married couples, partaking of the Holy Communion, must be married in the Orthodox Church.

Groups
All Christian groups are welcomed to reserve rooms and meeting space at the St. Stephen Coptic Orthodox Church & Retreat Center. Reservations/contracts must be made with the retreat center in advance.

Chaperones
All groups must have a minimum of two adult chaperones (or servants), one of which is the Group Coordinator, who communicates with the retreat center for the registration process. Chaperones are expected to maintain discipline of their group to ensure a safe retreat experience for everyone using the Retreat Center.

Retreat Termination will occur and a fine will incur if:

  1. damages, defaces or removes any Retreat Center property;
  2. fails to comply with the rules and guidelines of the Retreat Center;
  3. disturbs other people and/or unoccupied buildings during your stay; and
  4. brings cigarettes, alcohol or drugs on property.

Swimming Pool Rules

Hours
The swimming pool is opened daily from 10:00 am to sunset.

Usage
Swimming pool can be by all guests as follows:

  1. groups should follow the instructions of their Group Coordinator regarding pool usage during their retreat
  2. groups: only all boys or all girls at a specific time; no mixed gender
  3. families: only one immediate family (husband, wife, & children) at a time may use the pool; no multiple families at a single time
  4. individuals: all boys or all girls at a specific time; no mixed gender

Management reserves the right to deny pool usage to anyone at any time.

Safety Rules

  1. No life guard is on duty; thus all guests are swimming at your own risk.
  2. No children under the age of 13 can use the pool without adult supervision.
  3. Shower prior to getting into the pool
  4. No running around the swimming pool. Excessive noise will not be permitted.
  5. No rafts or floats in the pool
  6. No diving
  7. No food, glass, or drinks in pool area
  8. No rough games in pool
  9. Do not swallow the pool water

Attire
Swimming attire in the pool:

  1. Boys: long short swimming suits, not Speedos
  2. Girls: one piece swimming suits, no bikinis

Swimming attire outside of the pool in the pool area:

  1. All guests should wear a t-shirt on top of swimming suit at all times. No sitting with just swimming suit.

Towels
All guests should bring and use their own towel for the swimming pool. Please DO NOT use the towels in your room.