WINTERFEST YOUTH RETREAT

Winterfest youth retreat is a fantastic time to reconnect with God and friends in the midst of a busy school year.

It is a weekend to unplug from the world and get away to a (hopefully) snowy camp to rekindle your relationship with God, relax, stay up late, and have fun with friends.

WHEN

One weekend in February

Friday night through Sunday afternoon

DATES

February 2 – 4, 2024

Check-in from 7 to 8:30 PM on Friday

WHAT TO EXPECT

WORSHIP & TEACHING

Teens and young adults join together for some rockin’ worship, and then split for individualized teaching and discussion time geared towards approaching real-life issues and matters of faith from a Biblical perspective.

ACTIVITIES

camp-wide scavenger hunt
late night group games

Free time options including:
touch football
movies
crafts
games
and more

2024 YOUTH RETREAT

SPEAKER

Matt Ross from Christian Endeavor

THEME

Solace

WHO CAN COME?

TEENS

Grades 6-12

POST-HIGH

Ages 18-22

WHERE

Winterfest is being held at the beautiful

Whitehall Camp & Conference Center

This campground offers updated facilities, a common sleeping area with dorm-style rooms, hills for sledding and sliding, as well as fields for our other favorite winter activities!

Address
580 Whitehall Rd #8040, Emlenton, PA 16373

What is Whitehall Camp?

Winterfest is held at Whitehall Camp in Emlenton, PA. Whitehall runs their own summer and winter programs for kids and families of all ages, but graciously is allowing the use of their facilities for our own weekend retreat! While we run the events, games, and worship, Whitehall cooks ensure that we are well-fed.

Where will we be at Whitehall Camp?

Retreat Center
This dorm-style lodging facility accommodates 98 guests with 19 rooms. It is used mainly by youth groups and is located on the 2nd floor, above the Dining Hall. Each room has 2 bunk bed and a single bed, sleeping up to 5 in a room. Restrooms and showers are centrally located in the hallway. The dining hall serves three square meals a day plus a late night snack and will be where we eat and have fun together.
Worship Center
This is where some of the best time of Winterfest is spent. It’s a large area that serves as our chapel for awesome worship each night and morning, and houses our late-night afterglow activities. The guys have two large rooms with bunk beds where they sleep.
Activities
Whitehall also includes many other activity areas which are available during free time. These include:
– The giant sledding hill for snow sledding or mud sliding.
– A field for winter football and other games.

REGISTRATION

COST

$115

$35 deposit due when you register

DUE DATES

Early Bird Deadline: January 5 (postmarked by this date or submitted online)

Last Day to register: January 24

If not registered by this date, you NEED to email us at staff@yaconline.com.

Download Camper Packet

Online Registration

**Online processing fees added to the registration cost to cover expenses.

PARENT FAQ

What’s included in the cost?

All meals (including a snack before the final evening events), and all camp activities.

Where will campers sleep?

All campers will be staying in the retreat house and chapel rooms. Boys and girls will be divided into separate buildings and then divided into groups with similarly‐aged campers. Campers can request two cabin‐mates and will usually be granted at least one, if possible. Teens generally stay with their church group, if possible.

Who is monitoring my child?

The Keystone Youth Ministry Team and staff will be present at all hours of the day including night shift to assure safety and attempt to eliminate any temptation to sneak around. There are no pranks tolerated as well as no sneaking out tolerated. Parents will be called and expected to come for their child in the event a camper breaks one of those rules. Campers are attended around the clock by at least one cabin leader, and usually two.

What my child is expected to bring?

See attached the Winterfest packing list with the downloadable registration packet that includes all items your child should and should not bring.

Is there a dress code?

Yes, and it is enforced. Clothes that do not cover are strictly prohibited (no bare‐stomachs, no low‐cut shirts or spaghetti straps, etc.) – IF YOU’RE NOT SURE, DON’T PACK IT. Please dress according to the weather outlook. We’ve had some retreats with snow, and some with none.

Who else attends?

Campers come from several different churches throughout Pennsylvania. We’ve even had campers from New York, Ohio, and Florida come to our weekend. There is our normal track (grades 6th – 12th) and our post-high track (college or until 22). The post-high track has their own break-out discussion time to tackle issues relevant to them.

In what activities will campers participate?

Organized group games, sledding / mud sliding, football, worship, prayer, eating, talent show, and much more included in free‐time.

Is there medical staff available?

There will be at least one nurse on staff throughout the entire camp who will be available to dispense medication and general first‐aid at any time.
Nearest hospitals
Clarion Hospital in Clarion, PA or Grove City Medical Center in Grove City, PA

Who runs Winterfest? What is the church affiliation?

Keystone Conference Youth Ministry Team is affiliated with the Free Methodist Church. The mission of the Free Methodist Church is to make known to all people everywhere God’s call to wholeness through forgiveness and holiness in Jesus Christ, and to invite into membership and to equip for ministry all who respond in faith.

Emergency contact

(724) 624-9220, this number is available for emergencies only. All parents will be notified if their camper had any emergency at camp. Note that all cell phones and other electronics will be collected during registration, and locked away in a safe place. Your child will not be accessible except through the camp phone.

May I visit?

Guests are welcome and we ask that you contact the camp director beforehand.

If you have any further questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us.

We hope to see you at Winterfest!

Want to volunteer for Winterfest? Find out more here!

MORE INFO