Youth Fall Retreat
September 25-27, 2026
Bonita Park

*REQUIRED FORMS*

Together we will learn what it looks like gravitate toward God and the path that leads to life! All 6th through 12th grade students are invited. For 2026 confirmands, this is a required trip.

COST

The cost for the weekend is only $150 (scholarships available) and covers all the fun including lodging, food, program, ropes courses, paint ball, pool parties, campfires, and more (bonitapark.com). The cost for 6th grade students and 2026 confirmands is only $75. We love chaperones – the cost of the trip is waived for all volunteers!

SCHEDULE

FRIDAY 9/25/25, LEAVING 5:30PM

  • Departure time from Faith Lutheran is 5:30pm.

  • Dinner will be provided as we leave, $3 suggested donation for dinner.

  • Have your online FLC Medical Release Form filled out

  • Turn in your Bonita Park Release Form

  • Final payment of $150 cost for the retreat (or scholarship arrangements) is due no later than Friday, September 25. Cash or check can be given to Kathy O’Connor in the church office or Jennifer Wilson. Please make checks payable to Faith Lutheran.

SUNDAY 9/27/25, RETURN 5:00PM

  •  After lunch at Bonita Park, we will depart for home.

  • We will have students call home in Socorro to update parents on our arrival time.

THINGS TO BRING

  • Bible and Pen/pencil

  • Sleeping Bags or Sheets and Blankets

  • Pillow

  • Towels

  • Personal Toiletries

  • Flashlight (extra batteries)

  • Comfortable and Sturdy Shoes (must be closed toe for ropes course and zip line)

  • Plastic Bag to place dirty or wet clothing

  • Jacket (it gets cold at night)

  • Sunscreen 

  • Long and Short Sleeve Shirts

  • Reusable Water Bottle

  • Medication

  • Please note: Cell phones do not work well at Bonita Park

  • (optional) Extra spending money for the Camp Store

  • Faith Lutheran MEDICAL RELEASE FORM (filled out before we leave)

  • Bonita Park Release FORM (filled out before we leave)

THINGS NOT TO BRING

  • Camping or pocket knives

  • If you bring electronics for the bus ride up and back, we ask that they be put away during the retreat

  • Alcohol/drugs, energy drinks, other obvious items

EMERGENCY CONTACT INFO

ABOUT THE RETREAT

There is a craving in our world for realness. The buzzword “authentic” is a buzzword for a reason. We want the people we do life with to be authentic. We want the brands and movements we support to be authentic. We want the experiences and encounters we have to be what they are supposed to be.

But what about our faith? Living out a faith that is true and real in today’s world? It’s about being a follower. A Christ-follower.

The theme verse is Matthew 16:24: “Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.’”