Skip Navigation

Here at Veritas we take seriously the mental, spiritual, physical, emotional and character development of our students.

We exemplify that commitment through our three Core Programs:

  1. Rigorous Academics
  2. Deep Spiritual Formation
  3. Kingdom Leadership

Our first annual Lion Camp retreat integrates these three Core Programs in a dynamic, enjoyable and memorable way.

The final agenda is still firming up, but the following gives you the flavor of the event.

Why?

To develop school spirit among our Students, Faculty and Admin Team     
To orient our students to the Shalom Community* we strive for at Veritas     
To give opportunity for God to work deeply in our lives, conforming them to the image of Jesus Christ. (Rom. 8:29)

When?

September 8-9 (one overnight). We leave Veritas after Lunch on Thursday, August 8, and return to Veritas by noon on Friday, September 9.

Where?

Spruce Lake Retreat Center, PA

How?

Bus transport will be provided. Some chaperones may be asked to drive vehicles      
to assist with transport needs on site. 

What to bring?

Our 24 hours will be packed! We will focus on team-building, physical challenges, hiking and other outdoor pursuits, as well as games designed to just have fun. In the evening we will have a Team Time, which will include student-led worship, a devotional and a focused time of prayer. There will also be a couple of general sessions, led by Mr. Argersinger.

Thursday, September 8th will be a dress down day so students can dress appropriately. Plan to pack a lunch or order a lunch for your student on Thursday 9/8. We will eat lunch at school before we leave. We will be participating in outdoor activities, so please pack appropriate clothing.

Packing List:

  • Comfortable, modest pants (jeans are allowed but not recommended) are encouraged for outdoor activities. You may wear shorts, but please pack pants as well.
  • Sneakers or other closed toe, closed heel, tie shoes are required for the climbing wall and other outdoor activities.
  • It may get cool at night, so pack a sweatshirt.
  • Spruce Lake is providing linens & towels.
  • Bible and a journal/notebook.
  • We will have time to visit their game room on Thursday night. Please bring quarters to play the games. This is optional.
  • Spruce Lake has a gift shop that will be open on Thursday night. Pack some money if you would like to pick up a souvenir. This is optional.
  • Money for lunch at Chick-fil-A on our way home on Friday.

How much?

As a service to our families there is no fee to attend Lion Camp. We are trusting that the Lord will provide for the need, above and beyond what we could ask or imagine! (Eph. 3:20)

Those who would like to donate and help offset costs for this new endeavor are welcome to contact our office or by going to vertiasnj.org/giving to donate online. The per student cost would ordinarily be $125.

Thank you for your prayerful consideration of helping out in this way! 


*Shalom Community: Living and learning with one another in such a way as to honor Christ through the Holy Spirit and His word. Shalom is a Hebrew word that doesn’t have a simple English equivalent, but essentially speaks to a way of living marked by peace, safety, wholeness and hope.

This is the sort of community we strive for at Veritas, because it is in this supportive environment that young people can learn to trust, to seek out and embrace opportunities to grow, to be other-centered, to suffer hardship faithfully and to discover and live out of their true identity in Christ. These are the marks of a maturing person, and the sort of graduates we want to send into the world.