65 Youth Retreat Planning Ideas

Youth retreats are wonderful opportunities for young people to learn, bond, and grow in their faith. Here are 65 ways to help you plan an impactful youth retreat.

PLANNING

1. Start early. Retreats require much planning and there is always a hiccup or two along the way.

2. Begin your planning by praying and continue this practice throughout the planning and execution of the retreat.

3. Recruit adult leaders for a planning committee to help organize the retreat.

4. Decide the purpose of your retreat. Choose a theme and build upon the main focus.

5. Host regular meetings with adult leaders to discuss and review planning stages.

6. Make sure your retreat dates do not conflict with another major event that will affect youth participation. Compare school, sports, and holiday calendars. Also, check for special events at or near the location of your retreat.

7. Form a small parent committee and run a couple of dates by them to confirm the best dates.

8. Lock in chaperones early. Be selective about who you ask. Retreats can be intense and exhausting, so chaperones have to able to perform even when they don't get enough sleep.

9. Have plenty of back up help. For safety purposes, you should always have more adults than you think you need.

10. Pack a first aid kit. An adult leader with first aid or medical training would be a great person to have around.