Pre-Arrival information for High School Retreat 2026

High School Retreat 2026: UNBURDENED

We are SO looking forward to welcoming all of our high schoolers to Camp Swamp this weekend!

This year’s retreat theme is UNBURDENED, rooted in Jesus’ invitation in Matthew 11:28–30:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

In the middle of busy schedules, expectations, decisions, relationships, and everything else that comes with being a teenager, we hope this weekend gives our high schoolers space to slow down, breathe, connect, have fun, and make room for God.

We ask that you join us in praying for our retreat—for safety, meaningful connections, treasured memories, and for our teens to experience the rest, freedom, and presence of Jesus in their time together.

See you all soon!

—Steve & Rachele Gibson
Camp Swamp Directors

BEFORE YOU ARRIVE: THE ESSENTIALS

>HEALTH & MEDICATION INFORMATION

Please do not come to camp if your teen has had a fever or vomiting within 72 hours prior to check-in.

Medical personnel will be on site Saturday and Sunday.

Medications should be turned in to our volunteer medical staff on Friday and will be administered by them throughout the weekend.

>WHERE ARE WE GOING?

Camp Swamp
1400 Maxeys Road
Union Point, Georgia

That’s the address to give Google Maps or Siri.

>WHEN IS CHECK-IN?

Friday, October 2 | Beginning at 7:00 PM

When you arrive, please come to the Dining Hall first for check-in and further instructions.

You do not need to bring all of your belongings inside the Dining Hall when you check in.

>WHAT ABOUT FRIDAY DINNER?

Dinner will NOT be served Friday evening.

Please plan to eat before you arrive.

Snacks and drinks will be available for purchase Friday evening at the Snack Shack, so bring some cash if you’d like to grab a snack.

>ARRIVING LATE?

If you will arrive after 10:00 PM on Friday, please call:

Steve Gibson: 706-351-3092

The gate will close at 10:00 PM, so please let us know if you will be arriving later.

>WHEN DOES THE RETREAT END?

The retreat ends at 2:00 PM on Sunday, October 4.

Lunch will be the final meal served at camp.

Parents/guardians should plan to pick up their high schooler at the Dining Hall at 2:00 PM.

FRIDAY NIGHT: A SOFT LANDING

We know Fridays can be busy. Getting out the door, finishing the week, packing a bag, and making it to camp can feel like a lot.

So when you arrive, take a breath.

Friday night is designed to be a soft landing into the weekend. After check-in, we’ll gather for our opening session, spend some time connecting, enter into the retreat mindset, and worship together.

No need to rush in with everything figured out.

Just come. Be present. Take a breath.

The weekend is beginning.

PACKING FOR THE WEEKEND

The cabins are air-conditioned, but you may want to bring a box fan for the white noise some of us need when sleeping in a space with other people.

Be sure to pack:

Our regular Summer Packing List can also be used as a guide. Just remember that it is designed for a weeklong stay, so you’ll need much less for a three-day retreat.

Important: There are NO bathrooms in the cabins, so teens will take a short walk to the bathhouses.

Camp is a place to relax, play, walk around, worship, dance, and spend time with friends—so there’s no need to dress up! Bring comfortable clothes and shoes you can move around in.

Please check the weather before arriving and pack accordingly.

And don’t forget a water bottle! We’ll have access to water and nugget ice throughout the weekend.

DO NOT BRING:

If a teen is found with knives, fireworks, vaping devices, or tobacco products, we will ask a parent/guardian to come pick them up immediately.

And please leave the gum at home—let’s help keep Camp Swamp clean for years to come!

PHONES: CHOOSING PRESENCE

We have an incredible opportunity this weekend to connect with others, connect with God, and connect with our own souls.

That means we’re having a PHONE-FREE WEEKEND!

If your teen has a phone, we encourage them to leave it at home.

If they need it for communication before or after the retreat, counselors will collect phones Friday night before bed, keep them safe throughout the weekend, and return them at the end of the retreat on Sunday.

There will also be a Camp Swamp photographer taking photos throughout the weekend, so there’s no need to have a phone in hand to capture the memories.

Instead, we hope our high schoolers will have the freedom to put their phones down, look up, and be fully present with the people and moments around them.

Less scrolling. More living. More connecting. More being here.

PLAYING AT CAMP SWAMP

There will be plenty of opportunities to play, relax, and spend time together throughout the weekend.

We’ll have Camp Swamp favorites available, including:

Saturday night will also include our Fall Festival, with games, activities, and plenty of opportunities to hang out together.

EATING AT CAMP

Our Camp Swamp kitchen team will be preparing meals throughout the weekend, including some familiar Camp Swamp favorites.

Remember, Friday dinner is not provided, so please eat before arriving.

Our Snack Shack canteen will be open at various times Friday night and Saturday for drinks and snacks.

Please plan to bring cash for Snack Shack goodies.

QUICK REFERENCE

Retreat: High School Retreat — UNBURDENED
Dates: October 2–4, 2026
Check-in: Friday beginning at 7:00 PM
Location: Camp Swamp, 1400 Maxeys Road, Union Point, GA
Friday dinner: Not provided
Late arrival after 10:00 PM: Call Steve Gibson at 706-351-3092
Retreat ends: Sunday at 2:00 PM
Final meal: Sunday lunch
Phones: Phone-free weekend; phones brought to camp will be collected by counselors and returned at the end of the retreat Sunday
Health: No fever or vomiting within 72 hours of check-in
Emergency/day-of contact: Steve Gibson — 706-351-3092

We can’t wait to welcome our high schoolers to Camp Swamp!

Come ready to be present.
Come ready to play.
Come ready to connect.
Come ready to wonder.

And maybe most of all—

Come ready to lay some things down.

See you at the Swamp! 💛

Steve Gibson, Rachele Gibson & the Camp Swamp Staff

Partnering with God to create a safe, spiritual space for belonging and learning through play, connection, community and wonder.