When: March 20 -22, 2026

Location: Bethelwoods Camp and Conference Center in York, SC

Who: 8th Grade Students (school year 2025-26)

Registration/Cost:

• Early Registration: January 1-31 – Total Cost $225 due Jan. 31. ***Enter EARLYBIRD for $25 instant discount at the time of registration***
• Late Registration: February 1-28 – Total Cost $250 due Feb. 28

REGISTER FOR SURVIVOR

CARMEL WAIVER

The shift from MS to HS is filled with pressure, stress, and demands from friends, teachers, coaches and parents who have expectations and difficult questions. During this weekend designed for 8th graders, there will be fun challenges, worship, survival tips and time to hang out with friends.

Survivor has become a huge highlight for students as they walk the Milestone Path through the Student Ministry. We invite all 8th grade students to be a part of the Survivor 8th Grade Retreat. The retreat will take place at Bethelwoods Camp and Conference Center in York, SC and will last from 6:30pm on Friday to 1:00pm on Sunday.

The theme for the retreat is loosely based on the TV reality show, “Survivor.” Students will be placed into tribes to take on challenges together, be equipped through teaching to live an authentic faith, engage in worship, and be encouraged by building community together.

As the primary disciple-makers of your student, we want to help you lead your student through the Survivor experience and make a commitment to living with integrity to culminate the studies from Discipleship Community. We would like for you to take part in all three of the following ways:

• Parent Training – Sunday, March 1 at 9:30am or 11:00am in the Student Center room SC303.
• Survivor Experience – Join us Saturday, March 21 at Survivor Retreat from 6:00pm – 10:00pm.
• Welcome Home Challenge – Sunday, March 22 from 12:15pm – 1:00pm in the Main Gym. Students will arrive at 1:00pm.

The cost of Survivor includes meals, lodging, activities, and a new soft leather Bible that you will get to give to your student as a gift after Survivor. You will receive your student’s Bible at the parent training March 1. When you register and enter the code EARLYBIRD by January 31 you will receive a $25 instant discount at the time of your registration making the total cost $225. Late registration runs until February 28 and is $250.

In addition to the retreat, we will celebrate all of the students who have made a personal commitment to living with integrity in the Worship Services on Sunday, April 19.  We have been working together for the last two years to get to this point and we are excited to celebrate this Milestone with you!

Sharing the experience of Survivor with your student will be something that you don’t want to miss. Make sure to check out the highlight video from last year at the bottom of the page. Space is limited, so register soon!

Check out the videos from past Survivor Retreats!