2026
Basics
WHO: Calvary Baptist Church Student Ministries, grades 7-12 and leaders
WHAT: Fall retreat, a weekend away for experiencing God and growing in community
WHERE: Camp Calvary, 48 New Schaefferstown Rd, Bernville, PA 19506
WHEN: Friday, November 6 (6:00pm)—Sunday, November 8 (10:15am, return back to Calvary for the Worship Service)
HOW ARE WE GETTING THERE: Bus service will drop off and pick up; we will have a vehicle or two with us on site in case of emergency.
WHAT: Fall retreat, a weekend away for experiencing God and growing in community
WHERE: Camp Calvary, 48 New Schaefferstown Rd, Bernville, PA 19506
WHEN: Friday, November 6 (6:00pm)—Sunday, November 8 (10:15am, return back to Calvary for the Worship Service)
HOW ARE WE GETTING THERE: Bus service will drop off and pick up; we will have a vehicle or two with us on site in case of emergency.
What is "Away from Idolatry" about?
This year’s theme is taken from the end of John's letter in 1 John, where he warns the church to stay away from idols. Idolatry is not just worshiping wooden statues; it is anything that we put above God in our lives and is a problem for all of us. This year we want to speak about the idols that can tend to draw teens away from Jesus and look at how to remain rooted in true worship. We will explore how idols work, what they promise, how to turn away from them, and how only Jesus truly satisfies.
FAQs
What is a retreat? The goal of a retreat is to get students away in a comfortable but different setting. Our hope is that students will disengage from the usual stressors and patterns of their lives in order to engage with the bible and with the faith community. Retreats are often powerful tools in the formation of the faith of young people.
Where are they sleeping? There are a group of cabins each housing up to a dozen students, they will be divided by gender and age. There will be adults supervising in each cabin.
What are the cabins like? The cabins are single open rooms lined with bunk beds. Each cabin will house 12- 14 people, there is an add-on room that leaders can stay in but most adults will stay in the main room with the students. They will be split up by gender and age. The bunks come with mattresses but do not come with pillows or bedding. They are clean, have ac/heat and are bug free.
What are they doing? There is a schedule attached—short version: fun games inside and outside, eating tasty food, worshipping, praying and studying God’s word.
What should they bring? A bible, something to sleep in (sheets or sleeping bag and pillow), toiletries, towel, flip flops for shower, shoes and clothes they can run around in (we will be playing games in a gym and outdoors Saturday evening), multiple sets of warm clothes, flashlight, packed dinner (Friday night). They can bring snacks but please do not send anything with peanuts or tree nuts
What shouldn’t they bring? Anything they shouldn’t take to school. Anything they would lament losing (there’s almost always at least one child who goes home with a broken phone).
What are the bathroom situations? All of the buildings that we are staying in have public bathrooms that are nice and clean. The cabins that we are sleeping in are not equipped with bathrooms. Instead there is a central male and female bathhouse which has showers (with curtains), a changing area, toilets and multiple sinks.
What if my student(s) has food allergies? The camp can easily accommodate allergies like nut allergies, gluten sensitivities and usually dairy intolerances. Students with extensive allergy lists can bring their own food, there is a refrigerator for storage and a microwave and toaster available.
How do I get in touch with a leader? Olivier’s cell number is (317) 590-5723. We encourage you to get the number of your students’ bunk leader when you drop off your student on Friday: assignments will be sent out a few days before the trip.
What paperwork do I need? All students must have the Permanent Liability Release Form filled out. You can check your students profile at calvarybaptistpa.ccbchurch.com to find out if you have one yet.
Can students bring their phones? To encourage students to be fully present with God and one another, we ask that phones and other electronic devices be left at home whenever possible. If a student brings a device, it should remain off and will only be used for emergencies. Leaders may collect devices for safekeeping during the retreat.
Where are they sleeping? There are a group of cabins each housing up to a dozen students, they will be divided by gender and age. There will be adults supervising in each cabin.
What are the cabins like? The cabins are single open rooms lined with bunk beds. Each cabin will house 12- 14 people, there is an add-on room that leaders can stay in but most adults will stay in the main room with the students. They will be split up by gender and age. The bunks come with mattresses but do not come with pillows or bedding. They are clean, have ac/heat and are bug free.
What are they doing? There is a schedule attached—short version: fun games inside and outside, eating tasty food, worshipping, praying and studying God’s word.
What should they bring? A bible, something to sleep in (sheets or sleeping bag and pillow), toiletries, towel, flip flops for shower, shoes and clothes they can run around in (we will be playing games in a gym and outdoors Saturday evening), multiple sets of warm clothes, flashlight, packed dinner (Friday night). They can bring snacks but please do not send anything with peanuts or tree nuts
What shouldn’t they bring? Anything they shouldn’t take to school. Anything they would lament losing (there’s almost always at least one child who goes home with a broken phone).
What are the bathroom situations? All of the buildings that we are staying in have public bathrooms that are nice and clean. The cabins that we are sleeping in are not equipped with bathrooms. Instead there is a central male and female bathhouse which has showers (with curtains), a changing area, toilets and multiple sinks.
What if my student(s) has food allergies? The camp can easily accommodate allergies like nut allergies, gluten sensitivities and usually dairy intolerances. Students with extensive allergy lists can bring their own food, there is a refrigerator for storage and a microwave and toaster available.
How do I get in touch with a leader? Olivier’s cell number is (317) 590-5723. We encourage you to get the number of your students’ bunk leader when you drop off your student on Friday: assignments will be sent out a few days before the trip.
What paperwork do I need? All students must have the Permanent Liability Release Form filled out. You can check your students profile at calvarybaptistpa.ccbchurch.com to find out if you have one yet.
Can students bring their phones? To encourage students to be fully present with God and one another, we ask that phones and other electronic devices be left at home whenever possible. If a student brings a device, it should remain off and will only be used for emergencies. Leaders may collect devices for safekeeping during the retreat.
Pricing
Early Bird: Register by October 7 $105 per person
Register by October 21: $120 per person
Final Registrations Closes October 30 : $150 per person
Register by October 21: $120 per person
Final Registrations Closes October 30 : $150 per person
