All incoming 9th-12th graders - Join us in Panama City Beach, Florida, for an incredible week of fun, sun, worship, and teaching.
IMPORTANT REGISTRATION NOTE
Registration is now closed
If you are on the waitlist, please be patient as we work to get as many students off the waitlist as possible. We will reach out to you if a spot becomes available.
Registration Cost
The cost per student for the Florida trip this year is $975.
We recognize that this year's cost represents a noticeable increase from last year. Unfortunately, transportation and lodging costs continue to increase yearly, and these two items alone represent 85% of trip expenses. $975/student covers 80% of the actual cost of the trip, and PCPC contributes the remaining 20% to make the trip possible. We do not want the trip's price to keep your child from attending. 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 complete this form as soon as possible.
Cancellation Policy
Please note that a full refund (minus a $100 processing fee) will be given through March 15, 2024 if you need to cancel your registration.
A partial refund of half the registration fee ($487.50) will be given through May 1, 2024. The withheld portion of the refund will cover the $100 processing fee.
Starting May 2, 2024, no refunds will be given for trip cancellation.
To cancel your child(ren)’s registration, please email youthadmin@pcpc.org as soon as possible.
Trip Details
We depart by charter bus on Saturday, May 25 at 7:00 a.m., from the PCPC Parking Lot (south of the main building) and return on Friday, May 31, 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.
Parents, click HERE for a document on "What parents need to know" from Laguna Beach Christian Retreat Center.
The students will meet twice daily, 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 we will encourage that is by having a no cell phone policy for the majority of the trip. Students will give up their phones and any other electronic devices (in an organized and secure fashion) once they arrive in Florida. Devices will be 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 and our Youth staff will be accessible at all times if you need to contact your student or we need to contact you.
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 submitted, approved, and purchased by May 1 to youthadmin@pcpc.org (further instructions below).
If your student might require alternative travel to or from the Florida Trip, please note this when prompted during registration. After registration, you will receive an Alternative Travel Form requesting more specific information about your student’s travel plans.
In cases of alternative travel, flights must be booked in and out of ECP Airport and cannot arrive before Saturday, May 25, or depart after Thursday, May 30, as that would be before the buses arrive or after they leave. You must also secure your student's ride to and from the airport.
Leaders
PCPC Youth Ministry needs volunteers to serve as leaders on the annual Florida Trip, May 25-31. 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.