FAQ

Winter retreat is for all students currently enrolled in grades 6* – 12.

*6th graders are welcome if they are included in your youth ministry.

Please do not bring children who are not part of your youth ministry or infants.

There are three Winter Retreats available, so you can pick the weekend that fits best into your church’s schedule, or choose by which communicator you want to hear from. (See dates above)

Bongiorno Conference Center: 430 Union Hall Rd, Carlisle, PA

Cost includes: Accommodations (2 nights), food (5 meals) and retreat events. 

$172 per person (group):
• $72 Deposit due at initial registration
• $100 Balance due at check-in

$272 (individual):
• $72 Deposit at initial registration
• $200 Balance due at check-in

**all deposits are non-refundable and non-transferrable

ARRIVAL: Friday at 6pm.  Check-in is from 6pm-7:15pm. Please do not be late.

DEPARTURE: Sunday at 12:30PM - after lunch

Saturday afternoon will be open for a variety of activities, both structured and unstructured.  Available on the conference center grounds are:  basketball, volleyball, football, and a variety of other indoor and outdoor activities. *Optional additional charge for archery tag. Tickets may be purchased online at registration for $10, or on-site at winter retreat.

All groups must pre-register for the retreat. Pre-registrations will be handled on a first come / first served basis.

CONFIRMATION: You will receive a confirmation via email following the processing of your online registration.

DEADLINE: Although there is no specific deadline, it is to your advantage to register as soon as possible as we anticipate all retreats to sell out.  Registrations will be accepted until our maximum number is filled for each weekend.

It is the responsibility of each group registering to provide adequate chaperones for their teens. At least one male and one female leader must accompany each group, regardless of group size. You must have 1 male chaperone for 10 male students & 1 female chaperone for 10 female students. Registrations received without the adequate number of chaperones will be charged the individual rate. It is our desire to house church groups together when attending retreats.  Due to the configuration of the housing units, at times it is necessary to house churches in multiple rooms and buildings and PDYN reserves the right to do so.

As a network, we take pride in screening all of our chaperones & volunteers to ensure the utmost safety for your students/leaders. PDMN will be starting to screen our leaders using Protect My Ministry. Once chaperones have been entered into Brushfire, our team will send an email for that leader to complete. If they do not currently live in PA, they only need to complete step 1. If you currently live in PA, please complete steps 1 & 2:

Step 1: Please fill out the Protect My Ministry background check that will be emailed to you.

Step 2:  It is required by the state of PA to provide an affidavit (if you have lived in PA longer than 10 years) or FBI/fingerprints. If you have either of these documents, please email these to Hannah at hdunston@penndel.org. If you need a PDF copy of the affidavit form or a link to schedule an appointment to get your fingerprints done, it will be attached below. 

• Affidavit PDF: This does not have to be notarized, just have a witness sign and email Hannah a completed form.

• FBI/fingerprint location & scheduler: Use service code 1KG6ZJ to proceed to schedule an appointment

Leaders will not be permitted to stay on campus without these clearances on file. If you need help or have any questions about the new clearance procedure, please contact Hannah at hdunston@penndel.org

Every student attending Winter Retreat is required to submit an online parental/medical release form. This must be digitally signed by a parent or guardian. Their online registration is not complete until these forms are received.

All leaders sent by churches are responsible for the students under their care. Please be aware of any medical needs/limitations, medications, allergies, etc. For your students. It may be helpful to ask parents to email or print a copy for your records.

MEDICAL RELEASE FORM: https://form.jotform.com/242827110711144

BRING: Bible and notebook, bedding, towels, personal items, and warm clothing. Dress will be casual the entire weekend.  Be prepared for cold weather!

NOT BRING: Electronics (ipad, hand held games, game systems, etc.) Skateboards, firearms, fireworks, candles, tobacco, narcotics, alcohol, etc.

Those attending the retreat may want to bring extra money for offerings, late night snack bar, merch, etc.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Youth Department at the PennDel Ministry Network between 8am-4pm Mondays & Wednesdays at 717.795.5921 or email hdunston@penndel.org