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Retreat Ideas

Hey all I need help with retreat ideas. This will be my first retreat with my students (I have been with my church since Feb 1) and I am really looking for something meaningful and something they can remember. They have not had a full time youth pastor since 03 so none of the students really know what to expect or even what a retreat is. Any suggestions for topics or games? I am hoping that the students can also bonf with each other as well. THX

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- texagy
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3 years ago

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0 Votes Pastor E had some good advice, and I think down time is good, spend time relational and make the whole weekend relational. Great way for you to get to know the students and the students to get to know you! AN old game, but you write 4 truths about yourself one being true, and guess which one? (or one could be false) make up a quiz about yourself and give a nice prize to the winner. Make the questions about your favoriets, etc and this allows them a good way to know about you. by Pastor Joe 3 years ago by Pastor Joe 3 years ago
0 Votes For my first retreat (1 month after being hired as 1st youth pastor @ our church) we did a "mystery retreat." Students signed up without knowing what we were doing or where we were going. I gave the parents the location/contact info when they dropped their students off. We went to my aunt's cabin (aka shack) and spent the weekend in a place with no electricity/running water. Just us, wiffle ball, guitars and campfires. It was AMAZING. Students still talk about it. It was the perfect mix of discussions (theme was Be More, which became the youth group theme) free time, random conversations, and just plain goofy fun. Cooking meals as a group was GREAT for bonding. Best part? Had a teen become a believer on that trip. Go for community! by Luke 3 years ago by Luke 3 years ago
0 Votes The most meaningful retreat we've done with our group is a family retreat where we encouraged parents to come along. Didn't get all of the kids, but the families that did come have been committed to the youth program ever since. We did group worship times but we also allowed times for the kids to visit with their parents for family Bible study. Also we had times where kids met together and parents met together and got to have a "gripe session" then we met together so groups could share what they discussed. Lots of fun & meaningful. Suggestions for you-if you have a band, leave the instruments at home. Maybe get 1 acoustic player to play. Make it simple. If you fill a trailer w/ supplies & goofy game props you might miss the blessing of it. by jasonbh... 3 years ago by jasonbhuffman 3 years ago
0 Votes Be cautious with what you do. If they remember the games and such, then that's what they're gonna expect from now on. Since they haven't had a YP for a while, I'd kinda outline what you're there for (you're their pastor so tell them what that means). I'd suggest digging into scripture the first time so that that is what's to be expected. Also, have alot of down time. Time for you all just to hang out by the fire or whatever. Get to know them one on one or as their self-made small groups. Start building the relationships with them and the relationship between them and the new youth ministry by pastor e 3 years ago by pastor e 3 years ago

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Pastor E had some good advice, and I think down time is good, spend time relational and make the whole weekend relational. Great way for you to get to know the students and the students to get to know you!

AN old game, but you write 4 truths about yourself one being true, and guess which one? (or one could be false)

make up a quiz about yourself and give a nice prize to the winner. Make the questions about your favoriets, etc and this allows them a good way to know about you.

Pastor Joe

3 years ago

Votes

For my first retreat (1 month after being hired as 1st youth pastor @ our church) we did a "mystery retreat."

Students signed up without knowing what we were doing or where we were going. I gave the parents the location/contact info when they dropped their students off.

We went to my aunt's cabin (aka shack) and spent the weekend in a place with no electricity/running water. Just us, wiffle ball, guitars and campfires.

It was AMAZING. Students still talk about it. It was the perfect mix of discussions (theme was Be More, which became the youth group theme) free time, random conversations, and just plain goofy fun. Cooking meals as a group was GREAT for bonding.

Best part? Had a teen become a believer on that trip. Go for community!

Luke

3 years ago

Votes

The most meaningful retreat we've done with our group is a family retreat where we encouraged parents to come along. Didn't get all of the kids, but the families that did come have been committed to the youth program ever since. We did group worship times but we also allowed times for the kids to visit with their parents for family Bible study. Also we had times where kids met together and parents met together and got to have a "gripe session" then we met together so groups could share what they discussed. Lots of fun & meaningful. Suggestions for you-if you have a band, leave the instruments at home. Maybe get 1 acoustic player to play. Make it simple. If you fill a trailer w/ supplies & goofy game props you might miss the blessing of it.

jasonbh...

3 years ago

Votes

Be cautious with what you do. If they remember the games and such, then that's what they're gonna expect from now on. Since they haven't had a YP for a while, I'd kinda outline what you're there for (you're their pastor so tell them what that means). I'd suggest digging into scripture the first time so that that is what's to be expected. Also, have alot of down time. Time for you all just to hang out by the fire or whatever. Get to know them one on one or as their self-made small groups. Start building the relationships with them and the relationship between them and the new youth ministry

pastor e

3 years ago

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