A winter retreat creates core memories for youth group members. When the calendar slows down after Christmas and the months are cold and dark, teens crave connection. So a well-planned winter retreat can serve as a spiritual highlight.
At a winter retreat, youth leaders can teach and disciple students, build unity, and set the tone for the rest of the year. With solid planning, biblical themes, and engaging activities, a winter retreat will be a “hot” activity!
Below are practical insights to help you plan, promote, and pull off a winter retreat that changes lives.
Scheduling and Planning a Youth Winter Retreat
- Choose the right dates. Timing is key for retreat success. Many youth ministries schedule winter retreats between mid-January and late February, after holiday busyness but before spring sports ramp up. Check school calendars, exam weeks, and major community events. Long weekends (MLK Jr. Day or Presidents Day) can work well, but some families travel then. Survey parents and students early to gauge availability and avoid conflicts.
- Start planning early. Six months of lead time is ideal. With early planning, you can secure a center or camp, plus speakers or worship leaders. Plus, you can offer early-bird pricing and give families time to budget. A clear timeline also reduces stress for volunteers.
- Make costs manageable. Try to keep the retreat affordable. Offer tiered pricing or scholarships. Host a fundraiser in advance. Encourage sponsors within the church to underwrite students. Communicate that finances should never prevent a student from attending. Many teens attend simply because they know the church genuinely wants them there.
- Build excitement early. Don’t rely on one announcement from the pulpit. Promote the winter retreat creatively. Share highlight videos or testimonies from past retreats. Ask student leaders to promote the event during youth group. Send parent emails explaining the purpose and logistics. Pro Tip: Teens are more likely to attend when they understand why the retreat matters.
4 Biblical Themes for a Youth Group Winter Retreat
Winter brings to mind darkness, cold, and stillness. Those topics can connect to biblical truths that resonate with teens. For example:
1. Light in the Darkness
Winter days are short, and many teens feel weighed down during this season. Psalm 27; Isaiah 9:2; and John 1:5 address God’s light breaking into darkness. Students can explore:
- Jesus as hope amid anxiety or depression
- God’s presence when life feels confusing or lonely
- How believers can reflect Christ’s light to others
2. Rest, Silence & Renewal
Winter is a season of slowing down, yet teens are still overscheduled and often exhausted. So turn the winter retreat into a sacred pause, where God restores hearts. Teach what the Bible says about rest and spiritual renewal:
- Psalm 46:10 (“Be still, and know that I am God.”)
- Jesus withdrawing to quiet places (Luke 5:16)
- Sabbath as a gift, not a burden
3. Identity and Belonging
At a winter retreat, you have uninterrupted space to address who teens are in Christ. Themes like “Chosen,” “Known,” or “Set Apart” connect with kids who feel isolated. Key Scripture passages can include Psalm 139:1-18; Ephesians 1:3-14; and 1 Peter 2:9. Remind teens that their worth is rooted in God, not in social media, grades, or peer approval.
4. Perseverance in Tough Seasons
Winter can symbolize hardship, waiting, or endurance. Teaching on perseverance allows students to connect their real struggles—family conflict, academic stress, spiritual doubt—to God’s faithfulness.
Romans 8:18-25; Hebrews 12:1-13; and James 1:2-4 encourage teens to trust God even when answers don’t come quickly.
