Church group trips are an opportunity for the teens and youth in a congregation to bond, connect, share and grow their relationships with God together. As they explore different sites and participate in church retreat activities, they can positively shape their perceptions of God and the world. Whether on a day trip or a long weekend, Christian teens can enjoy their time in fellowship together and share experiences away from their comfort zones.
When planning a youth group outing, it must be engaging, spiritually stimulating, safe and friendly for the participants. Discover our top 10 church youth group trip ideas in and around Pennsylvania.
Philadelphia Old City has some historic landmarks that Christian youth will enjoy learning about. It’s home to dozens of historic churches that are still in service and make for a fun day trip. Walking in Philadelphia’s Old City makes an enjoyable couple of hours exploring churches with unique charm and beauty. Here are some must-visit Philadelphia Old City churches:
Another structure listed in the National Register of Historic Places is the 535-foot-tall Cathedral at the center of the University of Pittsburgh. It’s the second-tallest educational building in the world after the University of Moscow’s main building. This Gothic Revival skyscraper was commissioned in 1921 by Pitt Chancellor John G. Bowman.
Your church group’s youth have a lot to learn, including the interesting way it was built using material donations from local steel, glass, cement and plumbing industries. They can also learn the importance of teamwork, kindness and fundraising when they hear about how school children from the Oakland neighborhood contributed 10 cents to “buy a brick” for the cathedral’s construction.
Your youth group can walk through the 42-story cathedral, including a four-story Commons Room at ground level, internationally renowned Nationality Classrooms, libraries, computer labs and a theater. The interior features a neo-Gothic interior design, with each room boasting unique design elements that reflect the culture and history of the regions they’re named after.
Just a bus ride from the heart of Pennsylvania are the Historic Churches of the Big Apple, which make an excellent day trip destination. During this day trip, you can explore more than the churches by getting glimpses of other iconic sites in the city.
You can start with the Trinity Church on 14th Street in Manhattan, which is among the oldest public buildings in New York. It has a fascinating history, including receiving its original charter from King William III in 1697 and being the tallest building in the United States until 1869.
A short stroll down is the St. Paul’s Chapel — the oldest church building in Manhattan, opened in 1766. It’s also known as “the little chapel that stood.” It has an enchanting history, including being the headquarters for 9/11 rescue and recovery workers and having a historic cemetery. Other churches worth checking out in New York City include the John Street United Methodist Church, The Basilica of Saint Patrick’s Old Cathedral and St. Mark’s in the Bowery Church.
Looking to engage church youth in a fun-filled day? Plan a group trip to Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom, where they can enjoy an adrenaline-filled and mind-building day together. Youth groups love the safe, fun and clean environment that allows them an escape from their day-to-day responsibilities to recharge and rejuvenate.
At Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom, youth and teens can enjoy the thrill of big roller coaster rides like the Aquablast, Demon Drop and Dominator. They can also showcase their talents and enjoy live entertainment in the Performance in the Park program. Food and drink outlets throughout the park serve a wide range of meals, which your crew can enjoy together at any of the strategically positioned cabanas.
Nestled in Brookville in western Pennsylvania is the Scripture Rock Heritage Park, a modern-day spiritual haven. The park opened its doors to the public in the spring of 2016 and preserves hundreds of rocks carved using a hammer and chisel by the eccentric preacher Douglas Stahlman. The beautiful wooded area contains dozens of boulders inscribed with scriptures and words of encouragement and home.
The rocks detail the tales of the disturbed man who lost his entire family and his dedication to God. They are dedicated to specific uplifting themes and scriptures, such as hope, health, concentration, love and courage. You can plan a retreat at Scripture Rocks Heritage Park and encourage your group to spend time here praying and meditating on the words shared by Stahlman.
Your church’s youth music group will have their minds blown by visiting the Sight & Sound Theatres in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. It displays Bible stories live on stage with exciting interpretations. You can find the right ones for your group by watching online trailers of the showings in the theater’s current season.
Behold the Lamb, produced in 1987, is the first and most popular full-stage production of Sight & Sound Theatres. The facility showcases stories from both the New and Old Testaments, featuring large and detailed sets, special effects, trained animals, fun music and elaborate costumes. The productions travel between the Lancaster and Missouri theaters and produce new shows every other year.
When planning youth group trips, your mode of transportation could make or break the experience. Executive Coach is a luxury bus charter service in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, offering comfortable and dependable motorcoach services. Our knowledgeable and skilled drivers ensure the safety and satisfaction of all our clients. Take advantage of our youth group transportation services to plan and execute the most exciting charter bus excursions.
Call or email us today for a free quote. We can also assist you in planning and executing the best church youth group event and trip ideas.
Linked Sources