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 for games or to chill out

• Worship at the bonfire on Saturday night

• Sunday morning worship followed by LUNCH before you go home!

Check-in details

Check-in is from 7-8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 21. Please do not come to check-in early. We know that Skycroft 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 Skycroft Retreat Center 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, follow signs (and helpful LYOers!) to the registration area.)

• 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 Nelson Recreation Center 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 will be found here as the event approaches.  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

• 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 ice cream (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 materials to help with this effort.  Please let us know waht you're bringing via the Sign-Up Genius.  Needed items include:  

• 70-sheet spiral notebooks

• Rulers with centimeters

• Pencil Sharpeners

• UNSHARPENED pencils

• Pens (blue or black ink)

• Blunt scissors (safety scissors)

• Large erasers

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)

FAQs

What if I only have one youth?  

1) Find a local congregation that's going and have your youth join them!  

2) Contact your Synod coordinator for suggestions of how to make things work:

Katharyn Wheeler – kwheeler@metrodcelca.org, (202) 417-3684 (Metro D.C.)

Pastor Laura Sinche- LSinche@demdsynod.org, (540) 903-3435 (DE/MD)

What if I can't find chaperones that are the same gender as my youth coming?

That's ok! Youth and adults are housed in separate rooms on the same floor in dorm-style accommodations.  Male-identifying adults and youth on one floor, female-identifying adults and youth on another floor.  We're family together in Christ, so together we'll keep on eye on all our youth.

What if cost is a problem?

We never want cost to be a reason that youth can't attend an event!  Reach out to Pastor Laura Sinche- LSinche@demdsynod.org to ask about scholarships.

What additional costs might there be?

IF you want to allow youth to go to HeBrews Cafe for ice cream or coffee during free time, have them bring money with them.  

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.