Planning a retreat shouldn’t feel like survival mode 😅 But somehow… it always sneaks up on you. Here are 3 things we've heard that youth pastors always forget (until it’s almost too late): 1. The “In-Between” Moments Matter More Than the Big Ones You’ve got sessions, worship, and rec dialed in—but what about the gaps? Free time, cabin hangouts, late-night convos… That’s where walls come down and real discipleship happens. 👉 Plan for margin, not just moments. 2. Your Leaders Need Care Too It’s easy to focus on students and forget your volunteers are running on fumes. If your leaders are exhausted, they can’t show up well. 👉 Build in small wins for them: – A leader-only coffee break (Leader Lounge — hint, hint) – Encouragement notes – Clear expectations before the weekend 3. The Follow-Up Is Half the Retreat A powerful weekend means very little without a plan for what comes next. Students don’t need just a moment—they need movement. 👉 Before you arrive, ask: “What’s our next s...