2027 ACC Sr. High Winter Youth Retreat

ACC Sr High youth groups are invited to the 2027 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 “Love Your Neighbor As Yourself”. What if we already carry a compass that points straight to the heart of God? This weekend, we’ll explore the “Greatest Commandment” as the compass for our lives. Jesus tells us that loving God and loving our neighbor as ourselves sums up everything else, and living by this principle draws us closer to the One who is love. Like Jack Sparrow’s compass, which points to what he desires most, the compass Christ gives us points toward the heart of God.

Together we’ll unpack the commandment’s three movements: Love, Neighbor, and Self. We’ll begin by asking what love really is and what it looks like in action. Then we’ll wrestle with Jesus’ surprising answer to “Who is my neighbor?” and what it means to love the people around us, even when that’s hard. Finally, we’ll look inward at what it means to love ourselves, naming the lies that get in our way and listening for what God says is true about us. Along the way, we’ll hear words of wisdom from our ACC “Neighbors” through video, followed by discussion and activities led by members of the ACC Youth Committee. Come ready to explore, question, laugh, and find your bearings with friends from across the conference.

We’re also excited that worship times will again be led by Andrew Pauls-Thomas! We hope you can join us this year.

Forms:

1. Registration Form: submit to the ACC office with payment by January 27th (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. 2027 Cover Letter
2. 2027 Schedule (tentative)
3. What-to-Bring
4. Advisor expectations
5. Swatara map
6. Background certification instructions (see info under “Background Checks”)