LEADER’S GUIDE TO THUNDER & MUD

Fall Retreat Quick Facts

THUNDER

Middle School Retreat | Grades 6-8
October 9-11, 2026

EARLY BIRD DEADLINE
September 26

LAST DAY TO REGISTER
October 1

MUD

High School Retreat | Grades 9-12
November 13-15, 2026

EARLY BIRD DEADLINE
October 23

LAST DAY TO REGISTER
November 5

RETREAT PRICING

EARLY BIRD PRICE | $185

REGULAR PRICE | $206

Bring Your Youth Group to Thunder or MUD!

We’ll walk you through it in 5 simple steps.

  • Take 3 minutes to RSVP for your group if you have not already done so.

    • We will add your group/church in our registration system so that your students and leaders can register for the retreat and we will know to house them with your group.

    • All you need to RSVP is your church name, your contact info and a rough estimate of group size whether you are bringing 3 or 30!

      RSVP NOW

  • Recruit leaders and potential work crew members.

    • Adult Leaders - You must bring qualified adult chaperones in an adequate number to supervise your students of each gender in housing units of no more than 10 people (so a max of 1:9 leader to student ratio). Camp charges a per-person rate, so leader registrations cost the same as student ones. If your church wants to provide scholarships for your leaders, see the next section for instructions. See our Leader Tips & Guidelines page to find leader qualifications and suggestions.

  • Coordinate Church-Paid Scholarships
    Want to pay for your leaders? Or provide scholarships for your students? You can request custom coupon codes for church-provided scholarships.

    Help Participants Request PacNWC Scholarships
    Financial assistance is available based on need for participants attending with PacNWC member churches. Learn how to apply!

  • Promote the event with your students and parents.

    • Download posters, fliers, slides and graphics for Thunder & MUD.

    • Announce on all your church’s communication platforms.

    • Email parents

  • Students and leaders (including you!) need to register online.

    Keep track of who from your group has signed up and who is still missing.

    • Thunder Church Roster

    • MUD Church Roster

What to Expect

Each weekend retreat includes four sessions of worship and teaching, plus games, free time activities and group times designed to help students grow in their faith and build lasting friendships.

Our student ministry fall retreats are hosted by the Pacific Northwest Conference of the Evangelical Covenant Church and are for middle and high school youth groups from churches around the PNW. Students must register to attend with a particular group and will be under the leadership and supervision of that group’s adult leaders. A Group Coordinator from each church must RSVP for the group before registrants can sign up with that group

Arrival & Departure

    • Be sure to eat dinner prior to arrival as our first meal together will be Saturday breakfast.

    • Upon arrival, have your crew wait outside while one or two leaders enter Longmire to check in. You will receive a leader packet with all your group information, team bracelets and t-shirts pre-purchased by your group members.

    • Be sure to bring to registration with you the hard copy release waivers of any participants who were not registered online by an authorized signatory. (You will receive a report in advance indicating which of your group participants need waivers).

    • If you expect your group to arrive after 7:45 PM, pease reach out to Kristi Smith for additional instructions.


    PLEASE NOTE: Students may not check in until their group leader is present.

    For groups driving to camp together, this is unlikely to be an issue, but for local groups, please inform parents that if they arrive before their group's leaders, they will need to remain and supervise their student.

    • Our last session is scheduled to end before 11 AM on Sunday morning.

    • If your group did not finish packing/loading before breakfast, you may need to planon an 11:30 departure.

    • If you have a long drive, you may need to plan a lunch stop on your way home.


    QUICK TIP: Have students pre-pack Saturday night.

    Then on Sunday morning, have them load vehicles prior to heading down to breakfast. That way, once the final session is over, you’re ready to go!

Schedule Overview

Below is an overview of the planned schedule for our retreats. Small adjustments may yet be made to either or both weekends. You’ll receive finalized schedules at check-in.

FRIDAY

6:30 PM Check-In Begins
Welcome Activities

8:00 PM Student Activity
Leader Gathering

8:30 PM Session # 1

9:30 PM Small Groups

11:00 PM Quiet Hours

12:00 AM Lights Out
(or sooner!)

SATURDAY

7:00 AM Leaders’ Meeting

8:00 AM Breakfast

8:45 AM Session # 2

10:00 AM Small Groups

10:30 AM Big Game

12:00 PM Lunch

1:00 PM Free Time # 1

2:30 PM Check in @ Rainier
(Thunder Only)

3:00 PM Free Time # 2

5:00 PM Clean Up for Dinner

6:30 PM Session # 3

8:00 PM Youth Group Time

9:00 PM Evening Activity

10:30 PM Head to Bed

11:00 PM Quiet Hours

12:00 AM Lights Out

SUNDAY

7:30 AM Leaders’ Meeting

8:30 AM Breakfast

9:15 AM Session # 4

10:30 AM Closing & Stack Chairs

11:00 AM Head Home

Packing Guide

Share the following packing guide with your students and leaders.

CLOTHING

Undergarments

Pajamas

Indoor/outdoor clothes

Extra set of dry clothes

Shoes for outdoors

Extra set of dry shoes

Extra dry socks

Warm jacket

Rain jacket

CLEAN BEDDING

Sleeping Bag

Pillow

OPTIONAL

Sleeping Bag

Pillow

TOILETRIES

Hand towel

Body towel

Toothbrush

Toothpaste

Floss

Soap

Shampoo/Cond.

Feminine Products

Other toiletries

DON’T FORGET

Medications

Bag for dirty clothes

Flashlight/headlamp

Water Bottle

Bible

Journal

Pen

Our desire is simple: to ensure pastors are spiritually supported, relationally connected, and practically equipped — so they and the churches they serve can flourish.