All incoming 9th-12th graders - Join us in Panama City Beach, Florida, for an incredible week of fun, sun, worship, and teaching.
Registration
- PCPC members can register for the trip starting February 21. If you are a PCPC member and a parent to children eligible for the Florida Trip (i.e. students who will be in high school next year), please email youthadmin@pcpc.org if you did not already receive an email with further instructions.
- Non-member incoming seniors can register February 28 at 9:00 a.m..
- All other non-members can register March 7 at 9:00 a.m..
Registration will remain open until all spots are filled.
When you register for the trip, please have the following information: 2 roommate requests and the grade your child will be in this coming school year. Trip registration will require full payment at that time.
Registration Cost
The cost per student is $850 for incoming 9th, 10th, and 11th-grade students, with the cost for incoming seniors being $875.
We recognize that this year's cost represents a noticeable increase from years prior. Unfortunately, transportation and lodging costs have significantly increased over the last several years, but we are only now beginning to pass along those costs to students. If the trip cost would prevent your child from attending, we’d love to discuss scholarship options with you! To apply for a scholarship, please fill out this form as soon as possible.
Cancellation Policy
Please note that if you need to cancel your registration, a full refund, minus a $100 processing fee, ($750 for 9th-11th grade students, $775 for seniors) will be given through March 27, 2023.
A partial refund of half the registration fee ($425) will be given through April 27, 2023. The withheld portion of the refund will cover the $100 processing fee.
Starting April 28, 2023, no refunds will be given for trip cancellation.
To cancel your child(ren)’s registration, please email Chris Rossi as soon as possible.
If you have any questions about either of the above items, please email Katherine Steinbrueck, Senior Director of Family Ministries.
Trip Details
We depart by charter bus on Saturday, May 27, 7:00 a.m., from the PCPC Parking Lot (south of the main building) and return Friday, June 2, during the afternoon.
Students stay in dorm-style rooms with adult leaders and are able to list two roommate preferences in the online registration. They are guaranteed to be with one of their requests.
Parent click HERE for a document on "What parents need to know" from Laguna Beach Christian Retreat Center.
The students will meet twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening, for group meetings. Morning meetings are led by staff, and our speaker leads evening meetings. There is ample time each day for daily devotions and for cabins to meet to discuss the teaching.
Students will have free time between lunch and dinner to enjoy the beach, the pool, the sun, the volleyball courts, etc. Our staff and volunteers also plan various night activities for the group. Staff and volunteers are actively engaged in the students' lives and participate in all activities with students.
A note from Will Washington about cell phones:
With all of the activity, frenzy, and distractions in our daily lives, connecting with one another and with God can become difficult. The purpose of the Florida Trip is to provide that space and environment for students (and leaders) to connect relationally with one another and with Jesus Christ. One way that we will encourage that this year is by making a no cell phone policy for the majority of the trip. We will have students give up their phones and any other electronic devices (in an organized and secure fashion) once they arrive in Florida and will have them returned on Thursday night when we depart for Texas. We hope that by “getting away” from their phones, your student will discover two things: how freeing it is to be digitally unplugged and how much more in tune they can be relational with their peers and with God. Your student’s leaders will be accessible, as will myself and the youth staff at all times if your student needs to be contacted or if you need to be contacted.
Packing List
- Bedding: Pillow and your choice of a twin/double sheet, blanket, and/or sleeping bag
- Clothes: T-shirts, shorts, shower shoes, other shoes, socks, underwear, modest swimsuit (1 piece and/or modest tankinis for girls, no speedos for boys), etc.
- Toiletries and any medications
- Bath towels and beach towels
- Sunscreen
- Money for four fast food meals while traveling and for snacks during the trip (There is a little snack shop on the retreat center’s property that is open during the day and night.)
- Bible and a pen
- Nalgene Bottle/Refillable water bottle
Alternative Travel
Please do your best to plan around the dates of this trip to allow your student to travel by bus with the rest of the group. If valid and immovable plans inhibit them from being able to ride the bus to Florida or back to Dallas, then alternative travel plans must be approved, purchased, and submitted by May 5 to youthadmin@pcpc.org.
Flights must be booked in and out of ECP Airport and cannot arrive before Saturday, May 27, or depart after Friday, June 2, as that would be before the buses arrive or after they leave. You will also have to secure your student their own ride to and from the airport. Please send a flight itinerary and an email confirming that you have booked the proper shuttle for your student.
Leaders
PCPC Youth Ministry is in need of volunteers to serve as leaders on the annual Florida Trip, May 27-June 2. The Florida Trip is our biggest outreach to high school students in the Park Cities and a wonderful ministry opportunity to "extend the kingdom" to the next generation right in our own backyard! Note: no prior experience with students is required. Please contact will.washington@pcpc.org for more information.
