Frequently Asked Questions
What is the IMPACT Gathering?
The IMPACT Youth Gathering is happening Saturday, June 27 to Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at Pines Bible Camp in Grand Forks, BC. Youth in grades 7 to 12 and their leaders can get ready for sessions, worship, and teaching times centered around God’s Word. During the Gathering we will also have small group Bible studies, and enjoy games and hanging out. iBod volunteers and exhibitors affiliated with LCC are also welcome.
Don’t youth gatherings usually change locations?
Usually, but we are breaking that tradition! Pines Bible Camp has a great facility, amazing staff, and is a reasonable cost. They are also willing to be flexible with dates for us when most summer camps are not able to. And the positive response to having the gathering at a camp instead of a university made going back to Pines an easy choice. As well, this year their board is willing to allow communion wine at the camp, so we don’t have to go into town to have worship at the church, although we still may choose to – details TBA.
Who are the speakers?
We will be having several different speakers presenting on different aspects of this year’s theme verse, which is John 15:5; “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” Our guest speakers will be Dcn. Kathy Cornish (Director of Education and Youth at Riverbend Lutheran), Lisa Jackson (Managing Director of Lutheran Laymen’s League of Canada) and Rev. Mike Kuhn (Professor at Concordia Lutheran Seminary). More speaker info and a tentative schedule will be available in late 2025 or early 2026.
What is the registration deadline?
The early bird registration deadline is April 10. The final registration deadline is May 11, 2026. You must have your whole group registered online no later than May 11. Once a registration has been entered online, that person has committed to attending, and the registration fee is non-refundable. A registration may be transferable to someone else in your group BEFORE June 12, at the Registrar’s discretion.
How much does the Gathering cost?
Until April 10, the registration fee is $325/person, and the first five iBods who register before April 10 are free. From April 11 to May 11, the registration fee is $350 for youth and leaders, and $200 for iBods. Please write one cheque for your whole group, payable to Lutheran Church-Canada, with “IMPACT Youth Gathering registration” on the memo line. Please send the cheque with the registration paperwork, and do not send it to Synod office.
What does the registration fee include?
Accommodation, programming, and meals from Saturday dinner through Tuesday lunch.
If we can only come for part of the weekend, is there a reduced fee?
No, we can’t offer a reduced fee. Also, we strongly discourage people from attending only part of the weekend. If this is absolutely unavoidable, you must notify the committee ASAP.
Where will we be staying at IMPACT?
Youth and leaders will be housed in air-conditioned cabins. Boys will be in one section of cabins and girls in another, and we will do our best to keep youth groups together. Bathrooms are in a separate building. To see pictures you can visit www.pinesbiblecamp.com. You must bring your own pillows, and sheets/blankets/sleeping bags, and towels.
What if we just have one or two youth at our church?
Bring them! That way they can meet other youth and build encouraging relationships. If you’re the parent of the only teenager in your congregation, you can be a youth group! You could also contact your circuit counsellor to see about putting together one group from your area.
What if a youth who wants to come is only in grade 6, or has been finished high school for a year?
Prayerfully consider that the Gathering content is prepared for youth in junior and senior high. Depending on the maturity level of the student, you may want to apply for an exception, in which case you need to contact the planning committee with
- a letter from the parent/guardian granting permission for the youth to attend the Gathering with the understanding that the content is intended for high school students, and
- a reference from your pastor or church worker identifying reasons why they feel this youth would benefit from attending a Gathering.
What is a 7+1 Leader?
Every group that attends the Gathering must have at least one 7+1 Leader who is responsible for a maximum of seven youth. This means if seven youth or less attend, one leader must accompany them. If eight attend, two leaders must accompany them, etc. 7+1 Leaders are responsible for the care and nurture of each youth in their group throughout the Gathering. Leaders are expected to attend all Gathering activities and participate fully with their group. A 7 + 1 leader must:
- be a confirmed member of a Lutheran Church-Canada congregation
- be at least 21 years old at the time of the Gathering
- be approved by their pastor/elder/church worker for their role as a Youth Leader
- submit a police record check with his/her registration
- Parents are welcome to be leaders! Grandparents are welcome to be leaders! Pastors are welcome to be leaders!
Do I have to get a police check?
Yes! All adult leaders or volunteers attending the Gathering in any leadership or volunteer capacity must provide an original vulnerable sector check from your local police within the last year (although there is a little grace period; if your church paid for a police check for the 2025 NYG in the spring of 2025, we may still accept it)! If you mail the check to the registrar ahead of time, the original document will be returned to you after the Gathering, and we will keep a copy for our records (but if you bring it to the camp we will not be able to copy it and will have to keep it). The congregation that is sending you should provide you with a letter asking your local police department for a vulnerable sector check.
Do I send a male and a female 7+1 leader if I have more than 7 youth?
You are required to send one leader for every seven youth. However, we highly recommend that you consider having a 7+1 leader of each gender!
Can I be a 7+1 leader if I’m not 21 at the time of the Gathering?
We strongly discourage congregations from sending leaders who are younger than 21. However, if another 7+1 leader over 21 is attending and will co-lead, occasional exceptions may be made. You can contact the planning committee to ask for special permission.
What if our church doesn’t have anyone over 21 who can act as a leader?
Contact the committee, and we’ll do our best to connect your youth with a group that will “adopt” them for the weekend! And if your group is willing to help out in this way, please let us know!
How can I find out who else is going to the Gathering?
Visit our Facebook group and ask: www.facebook.com/groups/impactyouthgathering
What kinds of activities are available at the camp?
We’ll be arranging for youth to participate in swimming, archery, a high ropes course, and bazooka ball (similar to paintball, but without the paint.) At dinner on the first day of the gathering, signup sheets will be available for everyone to pick two of the activities.
Where will we be swimming?
Pines Bible Camp is across the road from the Granby River, and there is a swimming spot in the river, as well as beach volleyball. The swimming hole is a 10 to 15 minute walk from the cabins, and it’s rocky, so you’ll need water shoes. Swimming is also very dependent on the water levels in the river being just right, so it is possible that swimming might have to be cancelled if it is too deep and dangerous, or not deep enough. We will also not be able to swim without a lifeguard, and last year we weren’t able to find one, so if you know someone who might serve this way, please contact the committee!
What are our transportation options?
Groups are responsible for making their own travel arrangements to and from Grand Forks. We encourage you to contact other churches in your area to share costs and make new friends. If you plan to fly, you could fly into Calgary and share a bus from Foothills Lutheran to Grand Forks. Please let the committee know if you would like more details about that option.
The nearest international airport is Kelowna, which is about 2.5 hours from the camp. Air Canada flies in and out of West Kootenay Regional Airport in Castlegar (YCG), which is about 1.5 hours from the camp.
Remember that registration will take place at the Gathering between 3:30 pm and 6:30 pm on Saturday, June 27. Plan to arrive with enough time to relax, familiarize yourself with the camp, join the welcome party, and eat dinner.
We’re driving to the Gathering. Where can I park?
There is parking available at the camp. Be sure to check the box on your registration form and provide your license plate number.
Can we camp at this camp?
Yes! There are RV sites and limited number of sites are available to tent/or camp in also, and there a bathrooms, showers, and 30 and 50 amp powered sites in the campground area. However, 7+1 leaders must stay with their youth and cannot camp if their youth are in cabins.
Do you have an electronic device policy?
There is no wifi and limited cell phone coverage at Pines Bible Camp, which means that at most youth will only need their phones to take photos, take notes, or use their Bible app. It is up to each youth leader to set their group’s electronic device policy. If there is an emergency, parents/guardians can call the camp at (250) 442-0223.
Can we get any souvenirs from IMPACT?
We are working on merchandise options – watch the website and/or Facebook group for information when it becomes available.
Are volunteers needed / what is an iBod?
iBods are adult volunteers (at least a year out of high school) who are eager to serve in a variety of ways at the Gathering (i.e. security, welcoming, hosting, writing, editing, acting, or being an athlete, comedian, artist, dancer, organizer, Bible study leader, certified in CPR-& First Aid, takin’-care-of details, etc.). iBods volunteers must:
- be at least one year out of high school;
- have a servant’s heart and be committed to performing volunteer tasks during the Gathering;
- be able to attend the entire IMPACT Youth Gathering at Pines Bible Camp;
- provide their own transportation to and from the Gathering;
- pay the registration fee;
- complete the Volunteer (iBod) Registration Form, Authorization for Collection of Personal Information, Permission to serve as an iBod, and provide the Registrar with a police check.
See the separate volunteer registration package for more info.
Do you have any resources we can use at home?
Our chaplain will be preparing a sermon that congregations can use on the Sunday of the Gathering if their pastor is at IMPACT. Watch our social media for info!
Who are the people involved in putting this on?
Michelle Heumann (co-chair), Pastor Eric Moffett (co-chair), Sonja Bland (registrar), Pastor Scott Brayall, Kayla Moffett, Dcn. Samantha Neeb, Pastor Alex Timm, and Pastor Glenn Worcester.
Do we register online, or with paper forms?
Both! You must register your group online, and mail all the original paper forms, along with your cheque, to the Registrar, by June 12. For legal reasons, we must have the original forms, with signatures, to keep on file for at least seven years. Your forms should be mailed to:
IMPACT Youth Gathering
c/o Foothills Lutheran Church
3104 34th Ave NW, Calgary, AB T2L 2A3
(Please note this is a mailing address only – the office staff will not be able to answer any Gathering-related questions.)
Packing List
-
- Sleeping bag and pillow
- Blanket and/or fitted bed sheet (optional)
- Indoor shoes for in the cabin (optional)
- Running shoes for games
- A beach towel, bathing suit, and water shoes (optional)
- Pjs (keep in mind that you have to leave your cabin to get to the washrooms!)
- Toiletries
- Bath towel
- Weather-appropriate clothing
- Bible, notebook, and pen/pencil
- Sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat
- Bug spray (optional)
- Water bottle (NOT optional!)
- A cushion or blanket to sit on in the amphitheatre (optional)
- Offering for Sunday (optional)
- You can also bring games, water guns, or musical instruments if you’d like!