What should my youth expect?

• Large group gatherings with singing, some silliness, and an introduction to the theme

• Small group time with youth in the same grade level- conversation about Scripture and our lives, as well as games, prayer and activities
  Saturday afternoon time for games and service projects (including making LWR school kits!)

• Free time to play mini golf or chill out

• Worship at the bonfire on Saturday night

• Sunday morning worship with 2 bishops!

Check-in details

Check-in is from 7-8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 15. Please do not come to check-in early. We know that Potomac Park could be a long drive for many of you. Please be assured if traffic or some other unforeseen circumstance causes you to arrive after 8 p.m., your group will still be able to check in and participate in the weekend event! You can find more information about Potomac Park Retreat & Conference Center, including regional directions, online. 

Members of the LYO are invited to arrive as early as 4 p.m.

The procedure for check-in is as follows:

• Upon arrival, park your cars in the parking lot along the driveway; if overflow parking is needed, you may be directed to a different lot after unpacking.

• The primary adult leader will come to the Auditorium to receive the group’s t-shirts, emergency contact information, and other materials needed for the weekend. Please bring completed Individual Registration Forms for each person in your group, including adult leaders and members of the LYO. These forms will be collected and will not be returned to you, so please make sure to make copies in advance if you need to retain them for your records.

• Upon completion of the check-in process, feel free to explore the retreat center and settle into your rooms. Our first large group session will take place in the Auditorium at 8 p.m.

 Remember that dinner is not provided on Friday night, so please eat before you arrive.

Weekend schedule

The most up-to-date weekend schedule can be found here. We will also have printed copies available at the event, and the overview of the schedule will be found on the back of your nametag.

Packing tips

Don’t forget the following specific items (in addition to the things you already planned to bring):

• Your individual registration form!!!

• Bible (everyone please, including adults)

• Sleeping bag or twin sheets

• Pillow

• Blanket

• Reusable water bottle

• Toiletry items

• Towel and washcloth

• Closed-toed shoes & socks

• Clothes and shoes that can get dirty

• Noise cancelling headphones and/or earplugs

• Any necessary weather-related items (check the forecast before you leave to see if you might need a raincoat, umbrella, jacket, etc.)

• Any prescribed medication

• Flashlight 

• $$ for offering 

• $ for Perks (not necessary)

In addition, each church is asked to bring items which we will use to assemble Lutheran World Relief (LWR) School Kits during our service projects on Saturday afternoon. All of the items should be new.

We ask that every congregation bring at least four notebooks per participant and one other item by name of your congregation:

• Church names beginning with A-G - crayons (boxes of 24 or 16)

• Church names beginning with H-R - rulers

• Church names beginning with S (including Sts!) - drawstring bags

• Church names beginning with T-Z - scissors (blunt tip)

When you arrive at the event on Friday night, you will be able to drop off your collected supplies in the same place you check in. Thank you so much for supporting our commitment to service at youth events!

We do not recommend bringing expensive electronics with you to the event. Participants will be encouraged to use their phones or devices, if they have them, to share about their experience on social media throughout the weekend, but no one needs a phone, tablet, computer, or digital music player in order to participate. We will discuss the appropriate times and places to use such items, and if they are found to be in use at inappropriate times, they will be confiscated until the end of the weekend. 

The following items ARE PROHIBITED:

• Tobacco in any form

• Alcoholic beverages

• Illegal drugs (as well as prescription drugs in the possession of those for whom they are not prescribed)

Payment information

If your confirmation email did not contain any payment information, it means you are all set! If your email contained a balance that you believe is incorrect, please let Pastor Laura Sinche LSinche@demdsynod.org know immediately. Please mail checks, made out to the Delaware-Maryland Synod, to 

Delaware-Maryland Synod
ATTN: Treasurer
5699 Meridale Road
Catonsville, MD 21228

Please do not bring any checks with you to the event. If you are having trouble paying the event balance, do not hesitate to reach out to Pastor Laura to discuss ways we might be able to help.