Youth Fall Retreat: Made in the Image of God

September 5-7, 2026

This past weekend, 25 students and 10 adults packed up and headed to Lakeview Camp and Retreat Center for fall retreat, and it did not disappoint! This year's theme was "Made in the Image of God," and we spent a lot of time digging into identity—the truth that each of us was created very good, no exceptions.

Kids stayed busy with crate-stacking, zip-lining, racquetball, volleyball, swimming in the lake, and a ninja warrior-style obstacle course with tire swings and rope ladders (shoutout to Will for winning the competition). Fall retreat is one of our favorite ways to get new students plugged in, and we had a great crew of incoming 6th graders getting their first real experience of youth group.

Evelyn won 1st place for “Dress for the Wrong Occasion”

We had two theme nights this year! "Best Thrift Store Outfit" went to Lillis. Then for "Dress for the Wrong Occasion," Drew snagged runner-up in full-on winter gear, and Evelyn took first place walking in wearing an actual wedding dress complete with a veil and silver sparkly platform heels. Iconic.

In small groups, students talked honestly about self-care and how we're usually our own worst critics, and practiced speaking kindly to ourselves and each other. That built right into Sunday night worship, which was extra special with Kelly and Krystal from the modern worship team joining us. After worship, every student got a piece of paper with their name on it, and other students wrote affirmations on it for them to take home. It was such an empowering way to wrap up the weekend.

Also—we got new youth hats and everyone (kids and adults) is obsessed!

None of this happens without our congregation. Y'all's generosity is literally what makes weekends like this possible, and we're so grateful for it. Thank you for pouring into these students.