What is Fall Retreat?
Fall Retreat is one of our first big opportunities of the school year for students in grades 6–12 to step away from the normal distractions of life, spend meaningful time with friends and leaders, and refocus their hearts on Jesus.
We offer two separate Fall Retreats—one for Middle School students (6th–8th grade) and one for High School students (9th–12th grade). This allows us to create a weekend specifically designed for each age group while giving our leaders extended time to build relationships with the students they serve.
Throughout the weekend, students will experience worship, gospel-centered teaching, time in God’s Word, meaningful conversations, prayer, and extended time with their Life Groups. Our desire is for students to grow deeper in their relationship with Jesus while building the kind of biblical community that will encourage them throughout the school year.
And there will be plenty of fun along the way! Students can expect great food, games, hilarious skits, time with friends, and a few surprises.
Fall Retreat is about much more than simply getting away for a weekend. It is an opportunity for students to disconnect from distractions, connect with their leaders and friends, and grow in their relationship with Jesus. We believe the relationships and spiritual foundation built during this weekend can have an impact far beyond the retreat itself.
We would love your student to join us for Fall Retreat and start the school year growing in their faith and in community with others!
Important Information
Dates
High School: Friday, October 9 – Sunday, October 11, 2025
Middle School: Friday, October 23 – Sunday, October 25, 2025
Drop-Off: 4:30 PM on Friday
Pick-Up: Around 12:30 PM on Sunday
Location
Cooperstown Bible Camp
11776 3rd St SE
Cooperstown, ND 58425
Who Can Go?
Students in Grades 6-12
High School (9-12 Grade)
Middle School (6-8 Grade)
Sign Up
Registration Open Now
Cost:
The cost for Fall Retreat is $210 per student. We recognize that retreats can be a significant expense for families, and we want to make this weekend as accessible as possible. Because we believe Fall Retreat is an important opportunity for students to step away from their normal routines, grow in their relationship with Christ, and build deeper relationships with their leaders and peers, Bethel Church intentionally helps cover a portion of the overall cost for every student who attends.
This means the $210 registration fee is already a subsidized and discounted price and does not represent the full cost of providing the retreat. Your registration helps cover transportation, housing, meals and food, a retreat T-shirt, retreat booklet and materials, and all activities throughout the weekend. Bethel Church covers additional expenses beyond the registration fee as part of our investment in students and their spiritual growth.
Our desire is to provide a meaningful, high-quality, Christ-centered retreat while keeping the cost to families as affordable as we reasonably can.
Need help covering the cost? Check out the link to our Fundraising Ideas & Opportunities document for practical ways your student can raise money to help cover the cost of Fall Retreat and other Student Ministry events.
We never want finances to be the reason a student cannot attend Fall Retreat. Before requesting scholarship assistance, we ask that students and families do all they reasonably can to raise or contribute toward the cost of the retreat, including utilizing the fundraising ideas and opportunities we provide. If there is still a financial need after those efforts, we would be glad to have a conversation about scholarship assistance. Please email students@bethelfc.com.
Want To Help Serve?
Fall Retreat is made possible by an incredible team of adults who are willing to serve our students! We are looking for people to serve in a variety of roles throughout the weekend, including small group leaders, kitchen help, nursing/medical support, and dads or other adults who would enjoy helping with grounds and facility upkeep.
Whether you love connecting directly with students or prefer serving behind the scenes, there is a place for you! Every role helps create a safe, welcoming, and meaningful weekend where students can grow in their relationship with Jesus and with one another.
Interested in serving? We would love to have you join the Fall Retreat team!
Send a Student
You can sponsor a student or make a donation to help someone attend Fall Retreat.