Diocesan Youth Retreats
The Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta hosts multiple retreats throughout the year for middle and high school youth. These retreats build community, faith, and show young people positive ways to spread the love of Christ. If you have any questions about what these retreats and events offer, please fill out a contact form here.
Need to Knows
Who are Diocesan Youth Retreats for?
Our Diocesan Youth Retreats are for middle schoolers and high schoolers and their youth leaders. It is not mandatory that youth leaders from your church attend the retreat. Is is also not mandatory that you be an Episcopalian to attend on the weekend. New Beginnings and Jr. DYC are for middle schoolers and youth leaders attend as chaperones. Happening and Sr. DYC are for high schoolers and youth leaders attend as chaperones.
What is a Diocesan Youth Retreat?
These retreat weekends center around sharing the unconditional love of Jesus Christ in a safe space. The retreats are designed to address tough issues and let young people explore their faith. The retreats are peer led, meaning it's youth leading youth with adults there as chaperones and to assist the youth leadership of the weekend.
Where are Diocesan Youth Retreats?
Outside of Steps to Lead, which takes place at the beach, these retreats are hosted at Camp MIkell in Toccoa, Ga. Camp Mikell is a beautiful campus with great meeting space, food, cabins, and outdoor activities.
Why should someone attend Diocesan Youth Retreat?
It's a safe place to explore your faith! You get a chance to learn about God, build new relationships with youth from across the DIocese, and you get to have fun! Want some first hand testimony. VIsit our blog, and hear it from a youth!
How much does a Diocesan Youth Retreat cost?
The flat rate for all of our retreats is $100 and includes lodging, all meals, activities, and a sweet t-shirt! We offer confidential 50% scholarships for anyone that needs it, Simply contact us with your name, church, and need for scholarship assistance.
Missed a payment? You can pay online for current or previous retreats, here.
Packing List
Who to Contact
Episcopal Youth Community Covenant
Below is the code of conduct we expect all youth to abide in while participating in all Diocesan Youth Events.
It is the policy of the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta (the “Diocese”) that all events and activities conducted by the Diocese or on its property observe the following guidelines, which are to be interpreted in a manner consistent with the mission and doctrine of the Episcopal Church.
For purposes of this policy, the following terms have the stated meaning:
“Participants” means children or youth participating in Diocesan events.
“Responsible Officials” means persons who are acting for or in cooperation with the Diocese or have any responsibilities or authority in connection with an event.
Our Diocesan Youth Retreats are for middle schoolers and high schoolers and their youth leaders. It is not mandatory that youth leaders from your church attend the retreat. Is is also not mandatory that you be an Episcopalian to attend on the weekend. New Beginnings and Jr. DYC are for middle schoolers and youth leaders attend as chaperones. Happening and Sr. DYC are for high schoolers and youth leaders attend as chaperones.
What is a Diocesan Youth Retreat?
These retreat weekends center around sharing the unconditional love of Jesus Christ in a safe space. The retreats are designed to address tough issues and let young people explore their faith. The retreats are peer led, meaning it's youth leading youth with adults there as chaperones and to assist the youth leadership of the weekend.
Where are Diocesan Youth Retreats?
Outside of Steps to Lead, which takes place at the beach, these retreats are hosted at Camp MIkell in Toccoa, Ga. Camp Mikell is a beautiful campus with great meeting space, food, cabins, and outdoor activities.
Why should someone attend Diocesan Youth Retreat?
It's a safe place to explore your faith! You get a chance to learn about God, build new relationships with youth from across the DIocese, and you get to have fun! Want some first hand testimony. VIsit our blog, and hear it from a youth!
How much does a Diocesan Youth Retreat cost?
The flat rate for all of our retreats is $100 and includes lodging, all meals, activities, and a sweet t-shirt! We offer confidential 50% scholarships for anyone that needs it, Simply contact us with your name, church, and need for scholarship assistance.
Missed a payment? You can pay online for current or previous retreats, here.
Packing List
- Cool clothes (for the September Happening only)
- Warm clothes - our retreats take place from Sept-Mar
- Close-toed shoes
- Instrument (if you play)
- Water bottle
- Sheets for a twin bed (optional)
- Sleeping bag or blanket
- Pillow
- Toiletries
- Towel
- Pajamas (for DYC Retreats only)
- Themed attire for the Dance (for DYC Retreats only)
- Prescription medication
- Cabin snack (optional)
- You can bring your phone but it will stay up in your cabin for the duration of the weekend
Who to Contact
- For questions about Happening, contact our Lay Directors at DioAtlHappening@gmail.com
- For questions about New Beginnings, contact our Weekend Advisors at DioAtlNewBeginnings@gmail.com
- For questions about DYC, contact Youth Missioner Easton Davis at edavis@episcopalatlanta.org
- For emergencies on the weekend, contact Youth Missioner at 404.343.9870
Episcopal Youth Community Covenant
Below is the code of conduct we expect all youth to abide in while participating in all Diocesan Youth Events.
It is the policy of the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta (the “Diocese”) that all events and activities conducted by the Diocese or on its property observe the following guidelines, which are to be interpreted in a manner consistent with the mission and doctrine of the Episcopal Church.
- Responsible officials will model and promote behavior of and towards all Participants in keeping with the baptismal covenant of the Book of Common Prayer, including the covenant to respect the dignity of every human being.
- Aggressive behavior towards Participants by any person are not to be tolerated.
- Bullying, fighting, abusive or offensive language, and engaging in threats or coercion will not be tolerated.
- Any activity that presents a serious risk of personal injury or emotional harm to any Participant or other person is prohibited.
- Sexual advances towards or unwanted, inappropriate, or offensive touching of Participants is prohibited. (See Appendix A, Appropriate Displays of Affection in the “Diocesan Policies for the Protection of Children and Youth from Abuse”.)
- Weapons or items that appear to be or create the impression of dangerous weapons are prohibited. Props for plays and games, kitchen utensils, utilitarian equipment and tools, and other items with a benign purpose that do not threaten Participants or create realistic and actual fear of harm are permitted if otherwise appropriate. For example, a bow and arrow at an archery event or a cutting tool on a camping trip may be appropriate under all of the circumstances.
- Dorms are to remain the gender youth identify as.
- In organizing and directing events, Responsible Officials shall consider the personal privacy interests and desires of all Participants, consistent with the type of event involved, the nature of the facilities and activities, and the interests of others.
- Tobacco products are not permitted and shall not be used.
- Participants below the legal drinking age shall not use or have possession of alcoholic beverages. Of course, this guideline has no application to proper participation in communion.
- Illegal drugs and other controlled substances for which the person in possession has no prescription are prohibited.
- Age appropriate play or normal physical activities are permitted if they do not entail or threaten injury, offensive physical contact, or other offensive or improper conduct. (See Appendix A, Appropriate Displays of Affection in the “Diocesan Policies for the Protection of Children and Youth from Abuse”.
- Discrimination on any basis prohibited by the Episcopal Church is not to be tolerated, consistent with other Diocesan policies.
- Responsible Officials shall apply these rules using common sense and good judgment, and not in an arbitrary or unreasonable manner.
For purposes of this policy, the following terms have the stated meaning:
“Participants” means children or youth participating in Diocesan events.
“Responsible Officials” means persons who are acting for or in cooperation with the Diocese or have any responsibilities or authority in connection with an event.