ACC Winter Youth Retreat 2026

February 13-15, 2026
Camp Swatara, Bethel, PA

ACC Sr High youth groups are invited to the 2026 Winter Youth Retreat at Camp Swatara. The weekend will include daily worship and resource times, games, trivia, and outdoor activities.

This year’s Youth Retreat theme is “At Your Service”. Anabaptists are known for service. What does it mean to serve? Why do we do it? What did it look like when Jesus served? How can we live lives of service every day? This retreat will explore the theme of service from an Anabaptist perspective.

Josh Carson will lead our worship times this year. Josh has worked with volunteers at Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) since 2017. He previously served as a youth pastor, loves Star Wars, and is an enthusiastic adult convert to Anabaptism. Josh has degrees from Eastern University and Palmer Theological Seminary, and is currently a student at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, earning a Doctor of Ministry in Leadership. Josh has been married to Lindsay Carson since 2015. They live in southwest Lancaster City, PA, with their daughter, Harriet, and are actively involved at James Street Mennonite Church.

Worship times will be led by Andrew Pauls.

Cost per person (youth and leaders): $150

Forms:

  1. Registration Form: submit to the ACC office with payment by January 28th (form may be emailed to Brook Musselman by the 28th, check should be received prior to the retreat)
  2. Medical Release Form: To be kept with youth leaders in the event that one of your youth would require medical assistance during the weekend. This is a template for you to use.
  3. Congregational Youth Event Verification form: must be signed by youth leader/chaperones after the necessary clearances have been filed with the church. Should be handed in by registration on Friday night. Please fill this out completely!
  4. Youth Events Volunteer Covenant: To be signed by a congregational representative after the necessary clearances for each youth leader attending the Fall Retreat have been filed with the church. Must be submitted to ACC Office prior to the retreat.

Other information

  1. 2026 Cover Letter
  2. 2026 Schedule (coming soon)
  3. What-to-Bring
  4. Advisor expectations
  5. Swatara map
  6. Background certification instructions (see info under “Background Checks”)