RECREATION

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Bethsaida Swimming Pool
Brookhaven's large pool ranges from 3 feet deep on the ends to 5 feet deep in the middle. The pool is generally available from mid-April through late-September, but may be closed any time weather is prohibitive to swimming. During the summer (late May-mid-August), Brookhaven staffs the pool with certified lifeguards.

Galilee Lagoon Water Playground
Galilee Lagoon is a treated, circulated waterfront with a zipline, trapeze, slide and huge water slide. The waterfront is generally available from mid-April through late-September, but may be closed any time weather is prohibitive to swimming. During the summer (late May-mid-August), Brookhaven staffs the waterfront with certified lifeguards.

Rec Room
The Rec Room, located directly beneath the Nazareth Conference Building, has an air hockey table, foosball tables and table tennis. The Rec Room is also equipped with Men's and women's restrooms, as well as chairs and couches for hanging out.

Athletic Field
The Athletic Field is roughly the size and dimensions of a football field. It's covered with grass and flat enough for most any field sport. Brookhaven stays well stocked with a variety of sports equipment such as frisbees, soccer balls, footballs, volleyballs, etc. Inquire about sports equipment in the office.

Horizontal Climbing Wall
On the side of the Athletic Field is where you'll find the Horizontal Climbing Wall. It's only 15 feet high, so it doesn't require any special equipment, but the challenge is navigating the wall from one end to the other using the hand holds.

Sand Volleyball Court
Also at the Athletic Field is the sand volleyball court. Volleyballs can usually be found in the ball box next to the court.

Court Sports Pavilion
The pavilion is located near the entrance to Brookhaven and features a covered basketball court and an uncovered tennis/basketball court. Basketballs can usually be found in the ball box next to the courts, but for tennis raquets and tennis balls, please visit the office.

Mt. Carmel Campfire Circle
In the woods just north of the athletic field, Mt. Carmel is a large campfire area with multiple benches and "stumps" for seating. Mt. Carmel also has a small stage. Guest groups can reserve Mt. Carmel at no charge. Just let us know when you'd like to have a campfire, and we'll stack the wood and provide fuel and a lighter.

Brood Pond
Further north of the athletic field and just east of the big lake, is a brood pond available for guests to fish. You'll need to bring your own equipment.

Low Elements Challenge Course
The challenge course, located in the woods just west of Damascus Dorm, features low elements such as the Spider Web, Swinging Log and a number of other challenges. There is no charge for guest groups to use the course, and we can even include a guide document to assist you, but if you'd like to use certified facilitators during retreat season, there is $5 per person charge. During summer camp, the cost is based on the number of campers.

Breathtaker High Element
Brookhaven's one high element is the Breathtaker. Certified facilitators secure participants in a harness, and their fellow group members use a pulley to hoist them high into the air, suspended by cables. On the participant's word, the back cable is released and the participant swings through the air until they're eventually brought to a stop. During retreat season, there is a $5 per person charge for the Breathtaker and facilitators. During summer camp, the cost is based on the number of campers.

Archery
Brookhaven has youth bows and arrows available, which may be reserved and set up on the athletic field at the group's request. During the summer, Brookhaven's rec team can facilitate archery upon request; during retreat season, the group must provide adult supervision.

Brookennis
It's kind of like tennis, but much smaller. The Brookennis court is located next to the giftshop.

Shopping
Brookhaven's giftshop draws patrons from all around. It has a number of handcrafted items, unique T-shirts, home decor, books, journals and cards to choose from. The giftshop is typically open for a couple of hours each day that a retreat group is on campus, as well as during every afternoon during the summer.

Ga-ga Pit (NEW! on the Athletic Field)
Ga-ga is played in a large octagon on the playing field called the Ga-ga court. Ga-ga begins with someone throwing the gaga ball up into the air. When it bounces the players say "Ga" each bounce for the first three bounces. After three bounces the ball is in play and the game starts. If the ball is caught after a player pops it up (see rule 4 below) then this will repeat. Some variations do not allow catching the ball at all. Using the walls of the octagon to aid in jumping is legal as long as the player does not permanently sit on the ledge of the octagon.

Ga-ga Rules

The rules of Ga-ga are as follows:

1. You can hit the ball with your hands, but picking up the ball and throwing it at a player is not allowed.
2. If the ball touches a player anywhere on or below the waist (in some versions, below the knee), that player is eliminated from the game.
3. A player cannot touch the ball two times sequentially, the ball must hit another player or wall before that player can touch the ball again. If the player violates this rule, it is called a double touch and that player is out. Some versions of the game allow double or even triple touches.
4. If a player pops the ball up into the air, another player may catch it and ground it. Some variations do not allow catching at all.
5. If a player hits the ball out of the court, and the ball doesn't hit anybody, then the player who hit it is out.
6. The player cannot kick the ball. (As this is touching the ball below the waist.)
7. If a player hits the ball out of the arena without touching the wall, ground, or other player's that player is out.
8. The last remaining player wins the game.