Events + Retreats
ABOUT OUR YOUTH EVENTS
Young people and adult leaders from across our synods gather for a weekend of fun, Bible study, service, worship, and community building in large groups as well as smaller ones. Each day includes Family Time, an opportunity for prayer and reflection with your congregational group. We offer separate events for grades 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
November 18-20, 2022 – FreeRide
Event for youth in grades 6-8
Camp Letts, Edgewater, MD
January 20-22, 2023 – RoadTrip
Event for youth in grades 9-12
Delta Hotels Baltimore Hunt Valley
March 17-19, 2023 – Transformers
Leadership event for youth in grades 6-8 (maximum of four youth participants and one adult leader per congregation)
Mar-Lu-Ridge Retreat Center, Jefferson, MD
Event for children in grades 3-5 and their parents/guardians
The Ridge Inn at Mar-Lu-Ridge, Jefferson, MD
June 16-18, 2023 - High School Leadership Event
Event for youth grades 9-12
United Lutheran Seminary - Gettysburg, PA
Additional events for children in grades 3-5
Our LYO Elementary Team is imagining what kinds of events we might host in the coming year. Keep an eye on this page of the website for dates, locations, and links to more information about the opportunities they create!
Did you miss our Youth + Family Ministry Town Hall? Watch it here:
PRECAUTIONS & EXPECTATIONS
We are excited to return to in-person youth events for the 2022-2023 program year! Many things will look the same as they did in the past – small groups where youth can explore and deepen their faith, service projects to help us engage with the world around us, energetic large group gatherings, and time to connect with your congregational group. As your group or family consider whether to attend, we invite you to carefully read over our precautions and expectations of event participants to aid in your discernment.
An important update: We are no longer requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination. In accordance with CDC guidelines, we ask that anyone experiencing symptoms stay home.
All youth and adult participants and staff will be expected to:
monitor their health leading up to the event, staying home if symptoms arise;
report any new symptoms during the event to the event medics, arranging for transportation home if medics determine it is unsafe to stay at the event;
wash and sanitize their hands regularly;
bring a face mask to the event and wear it when they desire to for themselves or out of compassion for other;
practice casual consent by asking others for their boundaries around close contact (hugs, high fives, removing masks in outdoor settings, etc.), and determine their own boundaries as well; and
follow the guidance of event staff, including Small Group Leaders, medics, event security, venue staff, and food service providers.
Adult leaders will be expected to:
register by the stated registration deadline – no late registrations will be accepted;
remind youth participants to monitor their symptoms;
be a good role model by following all safety precautions throughout the entirety of the event.
If you have any questions about the precautions and expectations, please contact Nicole Roop at nroop @ youngfaithmatters.com
CANCELLATION POLICY
For cancellations received by the check postmark date, the amount paid for that participant may be returned.
For cancellations received between the check postmark date and three weeks before the event begins, a partial refund may be given. Substitutions and additions can be made at the event registrar’s discretion.
For cancellations received within three weeks of the event start date, participants are responsible for the full balance.