Conducting a Dating Workshop at a Youth Retreat, Rice Lake, Ontario

A Sunday morning drive to Rice Lake, Ontario

I am privileged that I have many invitations throughput the year to speak at various gatherings and retreats.

I had a great day today giving a workshop at a youth retreat held in the Rice Lake area. Pastor Cheung came to my house and picked me up at 8 a.m. We were on our way.

Rice Lake is about an hour and 15 minutes drive from Toronto

It took us an hour and 15 minutes car ride to get to our destination, Hastings, a cottage area north east of Toronto.

Rice Lake, Ontario

There are fifteen cottages located on this property fronting Rice Lake, a beautiful lake! A couple of the LW church members bought this cottage property business recently.

This cottage property is owned by a Christian couple

The owners, Esther and her husband, a Christian couple, was generous enough to allow the youths to stay there for their retreat for free!

I met this group of youth and conducted a workshop dealing with dating and choosing the right person at the spacious communal kitchen dining room.












We did the following interactive activities and the participants seemed to enjoy them.

Rice Lake, Ontario - a beautiful location for a church retreat!

It is my sincere hope that the young people will start thinking of the desired qualities they are looking for in their potential mate and able to make that commitment once when he/ she meets that person.


A 90 minute Dating Workshop Program

1. 5 -7 minutes - Introduction of me

2. 5-7 minutes - Survey questions
    Divide the room into 2 sections
    Yes side vs No side
    Youths go to the side for their answers

a. Would you like to get married eventually?
b. What do you need to do to find the right person before getting married?
     Yes – going out for dates       No – internet dating

c. Are you ready for dating?
d. Who have gone on dates?

The young people liked this activity a lot! They were honest in their responses and it was fun for them to see how other responding to each question.

 

The drive to and from Rice Lake was enjoyable as the landscape was gorgeous!

3. 15 minutes - Brainstorming Activity –  Divide the youths into 2 groups
    Give each group a chart paper, a marker and masking tape to tape paper on wall
    Each group write down their answers on chart paper and present at the end to the whole group

   What kind of person (qualities) are you looking for in your future mate?

4.  15 Minutes - Follow up group discussions on the qualities listed. Discuss the importance of setting standards for yourself – wait for the right person, avoid regrets, don’t jump into easy relationships
Look at all the qualities, keep a mental note

5. 15 Minutes Triangle activity – Find out which geometric shape is the strongest?

Divide youths into a group of 3
Give each group 50 straws
Each group will come up with the tallest and most stable structure

10 minutes for the task
5 minutes to share

Rice Lake, Ontario

6. 15 minutes - The Relationship Triangle
Give out the Triangle handout
Go over the model - A God centre relationship/ marriage with God at the top while she and he on the bottom, coming together in oneness in God.

Our body is the temple of God – avoid premarital sex.

Christians and non believers cannot bear the same yoke

7. 15 minutes - Questions and answers

R.T.
Rice Lake
Hastings, Ontario