Youth Group Retreats
We help Youth Leaders create better retreats!
Conveniently located on 100 acres of woodland in south-central Pennsylvania (~1 hr drive from Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Harrisburg), our Christian retreat center has just what you need for your church’s next youth group retreat, no matter the season.
What We Offer
- Activities » (there’s TONS of them!)
- Meeting Spaces » (large and small)
- Lodging » (that’s actually comfortable)
- Meals » (they’re delicious)
Including…
✓ Customized Retreats — If you’re looking for a place to hold your next youth ministry retreat, you probably have several goals in mind. We can help customize your retreat to meet those goals, so your group has a memorable and enjoyable time. Browse the options below or contact our guest services team.
✓ Small or Large Retreats — Whether you have a guest speaker and worship band, or are simply having small group Bible study and prayer time, your group is welcome at Black Rock Retreat.
✓ Year-Round Retreats — Our Christian retreat center lets you enjoy God’s creation, no matter the weather. There’s plenty of indoor and outdoor activities here, so you’ll have plenty of options (even if it rains). Spring, Summer, Fall, or Winter, our retreat center is ready to serve you!
✓ Weekend or Week-Long Retreats — From short overnight retreats to an entire week-long youth group getaway, we’re able to accommodate your itinerary.
✓ Grow Closer to God & Each Other — We make it easy for your high school and middle school students to get away from the busyness of life, strengthen relationships with fellow believers, and focus on being challenged in the faith.
Plan out your youth retreat, with options including:
Activities
Within our 100-acres of beautiful woodlands, students and volunteers won’t be bored, since there’s tons of activities to do:
Recreation Areas
There are plenty of indoor and outdoor recreation spaces, such as an outdoor pool, lake, full-size gym, ball field, Ga-Ga courts, basketball court with lights, sand volleyball court, hiking trails, and more – better yet, they’re all included in the price of the retreat!
Programmed Activities
We also have programmed activities, like laser tag, high and low ropes courses, a zipline, team building activities, nature center, and so much more!
Meeting Spaces
There are plenty of meeting space options for worship, prayer, teaching, and personal Bible study times. Meeting rooms are assigned based on group size and availability, please contact guest services to determine the options available for your retreat.
Indoor Meeting Areas
We have a variety of indoor meeting spaces (with audio/visual equipment) for group meetings, activities, or individual time.
Outdoor Meeting Areas
When the weather’s nice, there are numerous outdoor areas that are perfect for small group breakout sessions or individual quiet times, including outdoor pavilions, an amphitheater, nature center deck, gazebo, and more.
At Black Rock, we have been intentional about creating outdoor spaces where small groups of people can sit, relax, and share with one another.
Lodging
There’s nothing quite like getting a good night sleep on a retreat to help you enjoy your time. That’s why we offer a variety of accommodations, including:
All are heated (perfect for winter retreats!) and have air conditioning (except for the bunk cabins, which have ceiling fans). There plenty of options to match your group’s size and needs (including some handicap-accessible rooms). You’ll be thankful to not have to make an outdoor trek to get to the bathroom because all rooms have a private bathroom (even the bunk cabins have a bathroom in them)!
Meals
Our carefully-prepared buffet-style food is actually delicious, and we accommodate for any food allergies* in your group. A typical menu contains seasonal fruits and vegetables, and looks similar to:
Breakfast: Eggs, bacon, baked oatmeal, sweet breads, fruit, yogurt, cottage cheese, assorted cereals
Lunch: Chicken corn soup, turkey, ham & tuna sandwiches on homemade rolls, tossed salad, fruit bowl, cantaloupe and honeydew, pie
Dinner: Meatloaf, tilapia, macaroni and cheese with shells, vegetable blend, orchard salad, applesauce, dinner rolls, ice cream bar
*If your group has specific dietary needs, please let us know (as far in advance as possible) and we will make every reasonable effort to accommodate your request!
"Black Rock is beautiful. The staff are friendly, kind, and helpful. The facilities are well maintained. The surroundings are beautiful. As both a paying customer and a recipient of Black Rock’s complimentary pastor’s retreat, I can say without reservation that this place has been a huge blessing to me, my ministry, and my family."Jud Kossum
Our Location
Our retreat center in Pennsylvania is conveniently located near Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington DC, New York City, New Jersey, Maryland, and Delaware. Only :30 from Interstate 95 and :50 from the PA Turnpike, we're both secluded and easily accessible.
Approximate Driving Times:
- Philadelphia, PA - 1:10
- Baltimore, MD - 1:10
- Harrisburg, PA - 1:10
- Washington, DC - 1:50
- New York City (NYC) - 2:30
- Pocono Mountains - 2:20
- Wilmington, DE - :50
- Dover, DE - 1:20
- Allentown, PA - 1:40
- Trenton, NJ - 2:00
- Atlantic City, NJ - 2:00
- Hagerstown, MD - 2:10