BEACH CAMP INFO | 2026

High School Beach Camp 2026

This page contains the full schedule, FAQs, rules, packing details, dress code information, medication instructions, contact info, and important safety details for High School Beach Camp 2026.

While the printed Parent Guide provides a high-level overview, this page is designed to answer the logistical questions parents may have before camp.

EVENT DETAILS

• Event: High School Beach Camp
• Dates: Friday, May 29–Monday, June 1
• Who: Completed 9th–12th grade students
• Location: Laguna Beach Christian Retreat
  20016 Front Beach Rd
  Panama City Beach, FL 32413
• Cost: $350
• Final Payments Due: Wednesday, May 27
• Registration Status: Full; waitlist available
• Student Arrival: Friday, May 29 at 8:00 AM
• Departure: Friday, May 29 at 8:30 AM from Rivertree Cove Campus
• Return: Monday, June 1 around 4:00 PM to Rivertree Cove Campus
• Speaker: Ross Jaeger, Lead Pastor
• Worship: Rivertree Worship, led by Andrew Morris
• Theme: Sufficient
• Theme Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:9–10
• Registration Link

PURPOSE OF HIGH SCHOOL BEACH CAMP

High School Beach Camp is the best week of the year for Rivertree high school students. This retreat gives completed 9th–12th grade students the chance to get away to paradise, unplug from everyday distractions, and grow in their relationship with Jesus.Students will spend the weekend worshiping together, studying God’s Word, building Christ-centered friendships, enjoying the beach, competing in Tribe Wars, and making memories that will last a lifetime.

This year’s theme is Sufficient, based on 2 Corinthians 12:9–10. Throughout camp, students will focus on the sufficiency of Christ and the good news that His grace is enough in every weakness and every season.

SPIRITUAL EMPHASIS

Throughout Beach Camp, students will engage in worship, Scripture-centered teaching, small group conversation, personal reflection, and prayer. Each session will focus on the sufficiency of Christ and how His grace meets us in our weakness.

EARLY CHECK-IN

Early check-in will take place on:
Wednesday, May 27
6:00 PM
Cove Main Building Worship Center

Students should attend early check-in to receive their bus bracelet and final instructions. Medical forms will also be completed at early check-in. A printable copy will be emailed to parents in advance for those who would like to complete it before arriving.

A printed Parent Guide will be available at early check-in with key details, packing information, contact information, and important reminders for Beach Camp.

FINAL DETAILS & DEPARTURE

Students should arrive at Rivertree Cove Campus at 8:00 AM on Friday, May 29.

Rivertree Cove Campus
652 Taylor Road
Owens Cross Roads, AL 35763

Students should bring:

• Luggage
• Bus bracelet
• Required medications in original packaging
• Money for lunch on the road

Buses will depart at 8:30 AM. Please arrive on time. If a student misses departure, it will be the parent’s responsibility to get their student to Laguna Beach Christian Retreat.

Students should eat breakfast before arriving. We will stop for lunch at Peach Park on the way down.

RETURN DETAILS

Students will depart Laguna Beach Christian Retreat on Monday, June 1 at 9:00 AM.

We will stop for lunch at Chick-fil-A in Calera and return to Rivertree Cove Campus around 4:00 PM.

Parents will receive text updates during travel. Students will have their phones on the bus ride down and on the bus ride home.

FULL WEEKEND SCHEDULE

Please note: times are approximate and subject to minor adjustments due to travel, weather, or group needs.

Friday — May 29

• 8:00 AM — Check In
• 8:30 AM — Leave Rivertree
• 10:45 AM — Lunch Stop: Peach Park
• 11:45 AM — Hit the Road
• 3:30 PM — Arrive at Laguna Beach
• 3:30 PM — Go to cabins and unload luggage
• 4:00 PM — Orientation/rules in worship center
• 4:30 PM — Tribe Wars opening ceremony
  • Introduce teams
  • Create cheers
  • Create flags
• 5:15 PM — Free time
• 6:00 PM — Dinner
• 7:00 PM — Session 1
• 8:15 PM — Small Groups
• 9:15 PM — Surprise Late Night Activity
• 11:00 PM — Return to Laguna Beach
• 11:15 PM — Cabins
• 11:45 PM — Lights Out

Saturday — May 30

• 8:00 AM — Wake Up
• 8:30 AM — Optional walk to Thomas Donuts
• 9:00 AM — Breakfast
• 9:45 AM — Devotional/Leader Meeting
• 10:30 AM — Tribe Wars Rally
• 10:45 AM — Tribe Wars Competition
• 12:00 PM — Lunch
• 12:45 PM — Free Time
• 5:00 PM — Clean Up
• 6:00 PM — Dinner
• 7:00 PM — Session 2
• 8:15 PM — Small Groups
• 9:15 PM — Late Night: Hollywood Night
• 10:15 PM — Free Time
• 11:00 PM — Cabins
• 11:30 PM — Lights Out

Sunday — May 31

• 8:00 AM — Wake Up
• 9:00 AM — Breakfast
• 9:45 AM — Devotional/Leader Meeting
• 10:30 AM — Tribe Wars Rally
• 10:45 AM — Tribe Wars
• 12:00 PM — Lunch
• 12:45 PM — Free Time
• 5:00 PM — Clean Up/Dress Up
• 6:00 PM — Dinner
• 7:30 PM — Photos on the Beach
• 8:00 PM — Session 3
• 9:00 PM — Small Group
• 10:00 PM — Church Time
• 11:00 PM — Cabins and Clean Up
• 11:30 PM — Lights Out

Monday — June 1

• 7:00 AM — Wake Up and Clean Up
• 8:00 AM — Breakfast
• 9:00 AM — Depart
• 1:00 PM — Lunch Stop: Chick-fil-A in Calera
• 2:00 PM — Keep on Rollin’
• 4:00 PM — Back to Rivertree

Need to Know

TRIBE WARS

Students will be placed on a Tribe for team competitions, games, and camp-wide challenges throughout the weekend. Tribe Wars will include team rallies, competitions, beach games, and other camp-wide challenges designed to help students build community, have fun, and create shared memories together.

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TRANSPORTATION

Students will travel by Spirit Coach charter buses. We will use two buses for Beach Camp. Students are strongly encouraged to ride the bus so they can participate in the full shared camp experience. Some leaders, band members, and support team members will drive separately or arrive early to help with setup. The trip to Panama City Beach is approximately six hours, not including stops.

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MEALS & SPENDING MONEY

Laguna Beach Christian Retreat will provide:

• Friday dinner
• All meals Saturday
• All meals Sunday
• Monday breakfast

Students need to bring money for:

• Lunch on the way down
• Lunch on the way home
• Optional Thomas Donuts walk Saturday morning
• Optional snacks, souvenirs, coffee shop purchases, or nearby restaurant purchases

Recommended amount:

• $15–$20 for lunch on the way down
• $15–$20 for lunch on the way back
• Additional money for donuts, souvenirs, coffee shop items, or snacks

Dietary restrictions submitted through registration have been sent to Laguna Beach Christian Retreat.

Students are welcome to bring snacks and drinks to keep in their lodging areas or bring to the beach. Students are expected to clean up after themselves and take care of their trash.

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CELL PHONE POLICY

Students may use their phones during the bus ride to camp and the bus ride home. Phones will be collected once students arrive at Laguna Beach and returned before departure on Monday.

This helps students unplug from distractions and be fully present with God, their peers, and their leaders throughout camp.

Parents should contact Theo, Justan, or Charlotte if they need to reach their student during camp. If necessary, we can help connect parents with their student’s small group leader.

Students who want to take pictures during camp are encouraged to bring a digital camera.

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SAFETY & SUPERVISION

• Your student’s safety is a top priority.
• All adult leaders are background-checked and trained
• Rivertree currently has approximately a 6:1 student-to-leader ratio
• Two RNs will be on the trip to help administer medication and provide first aid
• Clear boundaries, schedules, and supervision are maintained throughout camp
• Leaders will be assigned to student lodging areas
• Students may not leave campus without an adult leader
• Students may not swim without adult supervision

Laguna Beach does not provide lifeguards on the beach, so students will be expected to follow all beach and water safety expectations.

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SUNSCREEN & SUNBURN

Because Beach Camp includes extended time outside at the beach, students should bring sunscreen and use it consistently throughout the weekend.

High school students are responsible for applying and reapplying their own sunscreen during beach time, free time, and outdoor activities. Leaders will remind students to use sunscreen, but they will not be responsible for individually applying sunscreen or monitoring each student’s sun exposure.

Please help your student pack sunscreen they know how to use and remind them to reapply throughout the day, especially after swimming or sweating.

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BEACH & WATER SAFETY

Students will be allowed to swim during approved beach/free time, but only with adult supervision.

• Students must follow these expectations:
• No swimming without an adult leader present
• Students must use the buddy system during beach time
• Students may not leave the property without an adult leader
• Any leader-led departure from campus must be communicated with Theo or Justan
• Any off-campus trip may not conflict with scheduled camp activities

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LODGING

Students will stay in Laguna Beach lodging based on availability, which may include a mix of housing styles. Students will be placed with requested roommates and friends as much as possible, and leaders will be assigned to student lodging areas.

If a student has a concern about lodging once we arrive, our team will work with students directly to make appropriate adjustments as needed.

Students should bring twin-size bedding or a sleeping bag, plus a pillow.

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DRESS CODE & SWIMWEAR

Because this is a church camp environment, we ask students to bring modest swimwear and clothing.

Girls

• Please bring a modest one-piece swimsuit Two-piece swimsuits and tankinis should not be brought
• Swimsuits should not have side cutouts
• Swimsuits should provide appropriate coverage in the front and back
• If a swimsuit is deemed inappropriate by leaders, a student may be asked to wear shorts or a dark T-shirt over it

Where to look for modest one-piece swimsuits:
Families can often find affordable one-piece options at large retailers like Target, Walmart, Old Navy, Kohl’s, Academy Sports + Outdoors, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and Amazon. When shopping, look for phrases like “one-piece,” “full coverage,” “high neck,” “athletic one-piece,” “rashguard one-piece,” or “swim dress.”

Guys

• No Speedos or overly short swim trunks
• No cut-off shirts with large side openings
• Tank tops are fine
• Shirts must be worn when students are not at the beach or inside the pool area

If purchasing a one-piece swimsuit is a financial burden for your family, please contact us. We are happy to help find a solution.

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PACKING LIST | Students should bring:

Optional beach/game items may include:

• Spikeball
• Cornhole
• Bucket golf
• Football
• Other beach games

Rivertree will also provide plenty of group games and activities.

WHAT NOT TO BRING

Students should not bring:

• Drugs, alcohol, vapes, or tobacco products
• Weapons
• Fireworks
• Prank items
• Gaming systems
• Expensive valuables
• Immodest clothing or swimwear
• Anything that would distract from the purpose of camp

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STUDENT RULES & EXPECTATIONS

These guidelines help create a safe, respectful, and meaningful experience for everyone:

• Be on time and participate in all sessions and activities
• Respect leaders, peers, and camp property
• Follow all lodging, beach, and campus boundaries
• Stay with the group and follow all safety expectations
• Use the buddy system during beach time
• No drugs, alcohol, weapons, fireworks, vapes, or illegal items
• No pranks or roughhousing
• No PDA
• No entering lodging areas of the opposite gender for any reason
• Keep rooms and shared spaces reasonably clean
• Be attentive and respectful during worship, teaching, small groups, and devotionals

Because this is a high school retreat, students will be given more freedom, flexibility, and responsibility than they may receive at other camps. With that increased trust comes the expectation that students will act with maturity, wisdom, and respect.

If behavior issues arise, our desire is to handle them with grace, discipleship, and redemption. However, in cases of egregious misconduct or repeated refusal to follow expectations, students may be sent home at the parent’s expense. Beach Camp is approximately six hours away, so parents should be prepared for this possibility in a worst-case scenario.

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MEDICATION

All medications must be turned in on departure day in their original packaging.

As our retreats and camps have grown, Rivertree now collects and administers all student medications to ensure consistency, safety, and fairness for every student.

Two RNs will be on the trip to help administer medications and provide first aid.

Students may keep emergency medications such as inhalers or EpiPens when necessary. Please communicate any medical updates or special instructions to Theo or Justan before camp.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

CONTACT INFORMATION

Thank you for partnering with Rivertree Students.

Please continue to pray for our leaders and students as we look forward to what God will do during High School Beach Camp.