About FDR STATE PARK

FDR State Park is located near Callaway Gardens and the towns of Warm Springs and Pine Mountain, Georgia.  This park is deeply rooted in the historical era of four-time President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Seeking a place for treatment after he was stricken with polio in 1921, Roosevelt traveled to nearby Warm Springs and built his Little White House. Roosevelt’s Civilian Conservation Corps built several structures within the park, including the stone swimming pool, during the Great Depression.  Above Kings Gap is Dowdells Knob, Roosevelt’s favorite picnic spot overlooking a magnificent view of the valley below.  Hikers will enjoy the scenic trails in Georgia’s largest state park, especially the 23-mile Pine Mountain Trail, which winds through a mix of hardwood and pines. There is a swimming pool, trading post at the Park. We have reserved the large family campground, which has a group dining hall, covered pavilions, cabins, community bath/shower facilities, nature trails, and a lake for all to enjoy for swimming, canoeing or fishing. The cabins are rustic; this is not a hotel, but they do have electrical outlets/lights. Bed linens are not provided - you need to bring your own.

Nearby attractions include: FDR’s Little White House, Warm Springs village, Callaway Gardens, Pine Mountain Wild Animal Park.

Meals are included in the fee. Activities include games, Bible studies; sing alongs, campfires and hiking.  We may include horseback riding and golfing at an extra fee.

Fees: Age 14 and up: $20.00/Person  

 Age 3-13: $15.00/Person

 Age 0-2: Free

Parking Pass:  $2 per vehicle

DIRECTIONS TO FDR STATE PARK

From Mount Calvary Lutheran Church:

• Start out going north on Carl Vinson Parkway (0.8mi)
• Turn left onto GA-247 Connector/Watson Boulevard.  Continue to follow GA-247 (7.4mi)
• Turn left onto GA-49 south - Peach Parkway.  Continue to follow GA 49 S.  (6.4mi).  You will cross over US 341 and continue south on GA 49 until it joins GA 96.
• Turn right onto GA-96.  Continue to follow GA-96 W. (37.2mi)
• Turn right onto GA-90.  (6.4mi)
• Turn right onto GA-208/GA-22/GA-41.  Continue to follow GA-41 (14.0mi) at which time you will notice GA-190 on your left just over the top of the hill.
• Turn left onto GA-190.  Immediately, you will pass a GA State Police barracks on the left.  (By the way, if you come to downtown Manchester, you’ve gone past the GA-190 turnoff!).
• After about 5 miles of great scenery, you will come to a stop sign on GA-85 W. Go straight through the intersection at GA-85 W and continue on GA-190 for another 8 miles of even better scenery. At this point you should be about to cross a stone bridge.
• Immediately at the far end of the bridge is a right turn.  (Note:  You will be very soon going under the bridge you just crossed.
• Turn right at the end of the bridge. At the bottom of the hill is a stop sign.
• Turn sharply right at the sign and go under the bridge.  Immediately after going under the bridge is a right turn onto GA-354.  DO NOT TAKE THAT ROAD.  Continue for about ¼ mile and you will see the FDR State Park entrance (look for a brown park-type sign on the left.
• Turn left into the Park (YOU’RE HERE!)
• Follow the park road, not making any left turns all the way back to the camp lodge.

THINGS TO BRING TO THE RETREAT

___  Bible

___  Musical instrument (if you have one)

___  3 plastic garbage bags

___  Flashlight, with extra batteries

___  Baseball glove, basketball, soccer ball, or any desired sports

       equipment

___  Can of bug spray

___  Pillow, sleeping bags, sheets, blankets

___  Towel, washcloth, soap, shampoo

___  Toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, etc

___  Hair dryer, etc.

___  Personal medications

___  Old rug

___  Air freshener

___  Umbrella, poncho, rain gear

___  Warm jacket

___  Extra shoes/socks

___  Alarm clock

___  Bikes/skates & HELMETS for kids

___  Camera (if you desire pictures)

___  1-2 paper grocery bags

___  Nightlight (if needed)

___  Toilet paper

___  Life jacket for boating

___  Fan or heater (if desired, weather changes)

___  Favorite board games

___  Broom and dustpan to clean out cabin upon arrival and before

       departure

___  Clothes for a wide range of weather conditions, it may be cool at

       night.

___  Any special equipment/items you want to have for your young

       children (sippy cup, etc)

___  Rubber gloves to clean the bathrooms before we leave

___  Clothesline and pins

___  Snacks to share on Friday night and 2 1-liter bottles of soda.

Some people like to bring a card table and chairs

2005 RETREAT SCHEDULE

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30

• 1700-2000  Arrive at Camp
• 1900-2030  Welcome, Ice Breakers, get acquainted, games
• 2030-2100  Vespers in the Lodge
• 2100-??  Singing, games, etc. in the Lodge

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1

• 0600 Hike with leader (optional)
• 0630 Prayer and meditation at the lakefront (optional)
• 0800-0900  Breakfast
• 0900-1100  Bible study #1 (Adults and kids in separate groups)
• 1200-1300  Lunch
• 1300-1700  Free time (swim, hike, ride bikes, sleep, golf, ball games, etc)
• 1700-1800  Dinner
• 1800-2000  Bible study #2 (Adults and kids in separate groups)
• 2030-2030  Games in the Lodge
• 2030-2200  Campfire, S’mores, singing, etc.

 

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2

• 0600 Hike with leader (optional)
• 0630 Prayer and meditation at the lakefront (optional)
• 0800-0845  Breakfast
• 0845-0930 Clean up around the camp/cabins
• 0945-1045 Worship service in the shelter near the Lodge
• 1045-1200 Clean up around the camp/cabins and pack and be ready for cabin/camp inspection by the park ranger
• 1200 or after - Depart camp and have a safe trip home

 

GENERAL INFORMATION & RULES

Admission to the park begins at 4pm. Friday. We will depart on Sunday once the ranger gives the all-clear signal, usually around noon.

1. Cabins cleaned and inspected by park ranger prior to departure.

• We will have to pay for any damages incurred by the group.   The following items will be looked at: sweep out the cabin.  Close all window shutters.  Turn off all cabin lights and area floodlights.  All bunk beds should have mattresses.  NO ONE LEAVES UNTIL THE RANGER SAYS ALL IS COMPLETED.
• The campgrounds will be neater than we found them. Litter and garbage picked up and placed in dumpster. Sweep out pavilions and return benches to the pavilions. Be sure area floodlights are turned off. Check complete area for personal belongings and valuables.
• The shower house:  Take all trash to the dumpster. Clean all mirrors, counters, sinks, toilets, urinals, and showers.  Sweep and wash down the floors.  Clean out the drinking fountain.  Lights off and doors closed.
• Fires are not allowed except in the fire ring. It is unlawful to cut live trees in the park.
• Park pass: $2 per car. Must be on the car at all times.
• Beds are not to be moved from the cabins.  If they are, bed must be put back where it was taken from.  We will be assessed a fee of $10 for each bed not in its place.
• You must supply your own linens, blankets, towels, and pillows.
• Donations of toilet paper, paper towel, and liquid hand soap will be appreciated.
• There is no lifeguard at the beach – swim at own risk. Kids MUST not swim alone. An adult must be there at all times.
• Parents must keep track of their own children at all times!
• No fishing without a Georgia fishing permit.
• You cannot bring an air conditioner.

• You cannot bring camping equipment such as recreational
• vehicles, pop-ups, truck campers, or tents to the Group camp area.
• Fires to be built only in designated areas, for safety reasons,
• lanterns, oil lamps and any open flames, including candles, are not permitted in any sleeping facilities.
• Disorderly or boisterous conduct is not permitted. Park quiet time is 10pm until 7am with all persons in camp at this time.
• Pets are not allowed in the Group Camp area. A fee of $25 per occasion will be assessed.
• A fee of $25 per word or symbol defacing any park facilities or grounds will be assessed to group renting the Group camp.
• A $5 fee for each nail, screw, or staple found installed in the Group Camp premises will be assessed to the occupant.
• Any other damage to the facilities will be assessed by the park staff, based on materials and labor, and charged to the occupant.
• The removal, injury, or damage to any structure, tree, shrub, flower, bird, or animal within the State Park is prohibited.  The use of devices that shoot projectiles is prohibited on State Parks.  This includes firearms, BB, pellet and air rifles, slingshots, crossbows, and arrows, paint ball guns, etc.
• If you are in need of a store, gas station, pharmacy, or restaurant, here are the closest facilities.  When leaving the park, go back the way that you came.  When you reach the intersection of 190 and 41 North (on the right you will see the GA State Patrol), turn LEFT towards Manchester. Go about a 1/2-mile straight to the second light. Turn left and go about 2 blocks.  There you will find: Advance Auto Parts, Piggly Wiggly Grocery Store, Rite Aid Pharmacy, Subway, McDonalds, Dairy Queen, and many gas stations.
• Canoeing is available. A parent must be present in the canoe with kids 16 and under. Life vests must be worn in the boats.
• Be on time for kitchen duty. Refer to the list for your assignment. If you want to switch with someone, that’s fine, just be sure it is ok with the person you are switching with.

• Children and adults are to stay out of the kitchen unless you are
• helping the cooks or setting up for a meal.  Get your drinks of water from the water fountain or containers, not the kitchen.
• Check the garbage can nearest to your cabin even if you did not use it.  If it had trash in it when you arrived, please let the Camp Chief know. If you don’t report it, then you will be responsible to clean it out before checkout.
• On Sunday, after breakfast and before church, NO EATING. EVERYONE will be expected to attend the church service, including all kids and teenagers.
• Be considerate of others when riding your bike.  Watch out for small children. Due to safety reasons, NO RIDING BIKES AFTER 8 PM.
• If you are playing with board games, put them back the way you found them.  Supervise your children with the games. Do not let them tear them apart.
• If you see trash around, PICK IT UP. Smokers please do not leave cigarette butts on the ground.
• Keep gate to the campsite CLOSED AT ALL Times. Do not give the combination to anyone not with our group.
• EMERGENCY PLAN – If air horn is sounded 3 times, everyone IMMEDIATELY return to the dining hall.
• Nurse on duty:   First aid kit is in the kitchen.
• If you go somewhere on Saturday afternoon, do not assume that someone will watch your child(ren).  You and that person must make those arrangements.
• Radios – no loud radios after 9:30 pm; there are many small children (not to mention the adults) who need the sleep to recharge for the next day’s activities.
• Adults – please be considerate of your voices after 10:00pm. Sound carried in these woods. Many folks are trying to rest. If many gather in front of the lodge in the evening, please keep the laughter to a low roar. Remember that the cabins are not soundproof either.  Your neighbors are right next door, so please keep family tones to a quiet one.
• The less food you keep in your cabin, the less chance of bugs and critters.
• Absolutely no alcohol at the camp.