By Mike Sokol, Owner, Orange Springs Retreat Center · CCCA Member
Short answer
Short answer: A typical Friday–Sunday church youth retreat in Florida can cost roughly $300–$475 per student all-in, depending on group size, transportation, programming, and scholarships. At Orange Springs Retreat Center, the 2027 published rates for a Fall/Winter/Spring venue package are $205–$255 per overnight guest for a 2-night stay, including lodging, meals, meeting space, standard campus activities, and exclusive use of the campus.
What the all-inclusive rate covers
The published package includes lodging, scheduled meals (dinner on arrival through breakfast on departure), meeting and gathering space, standard campus activities and equipment (lake, sports, canoes, kayaks, and similar self-directed options), and exclusive use of the entire property. One group at a time. No shared spaces.
Professional facilitation for the ropes course is not included in the package rate and must be arranged separately if desired.
Full rate tables and examples are on the 2027–2028 Rates, Availability & Booking Guide.
Fall/Winter/Spring rates (September–April, minimum 60 overnight guests)
| Length of stay | 60–99 guests | 100+ guests |
| 2 nights / 3 days | $255 | $205 |
| 3 nights / 4 days | $315 | $255 |
| 4 nights / 5 days | $375 | $315 |
| 5 nights / 6 days | $435 | $375 |
| 6 nights / 7 days | $485 | $425 |
The $205 rate applies when the group reaches 100 overnight guests. Groups of 60–99 overnight guests pay $255 per person. Leaders and adult sponsors count toward the overnight guest total.
Summer rates (May–August) start at a 100-guest minimum and run slightly higher. See the rate sheet for those figures.
Example: 80-Student Youth Group Retreat Budget
An 80-student group with 10 adult sponsors would have 90 overnight guests and would therefore remain in the 60–99 guest pricing tier.
| Item | Amount | Notes |
| Venue (90 × $255) | $22,950 | All-inclusive, exclusive use |
| Charter bus (round-trip) | $4,000–$5,500 | Typical range we see from groups traveling 1–2 hours |
| Speaker or worship team | $800–$2,000 | Typical range we see (honorarium + travel) |
| Materials, t-shirts, snacks | $1,000–$1,600 | |
| Scholarships / contingency (10%) | $2,900–$3,200 | |
| Total | ~$31,650–$35,250 | |
| Per student (before scholarships) | ~$395–$440 | Based on 80 students |
Crossing the 100-guest threshold
Compare the same 2-night Fall/Winter/Spring package:
100 overnight guests × $205 = $20,500
90 overnight guests × $255 = $22,950
That is a $2,450 difference despite having fewer people. Churches should evaluate total overnight headcount (students + adult sponsors), not just student enrollment, when estimating the venue cost.
Quick planning table: 2-night Fall/Winter/Spring venue cost
All figures use the published per-person rates. Leaders count toward the overnight total.
| Overnight guests | Rate tier | Venue total (2 nights) |
| 60 | 60–99 ($255) | $15,300 |
| 75 | 60–99 ($255) | $19,125 |
| 90 | 60–99 ($255) | $22,950 |
| 100 | 100+ ($205) | $20,500 |
| 120 | 100+ ($205) | $24,600 |
What can make a youth retreat more expensive?
- Long-distance transportation
- Higher-cost speakers or worship bands
- T-shirts and participant materials
- Off-campus activities
- Additional hotel nights
- Scholarships
- Last-minute bookings
- Smaller groups that stay in the 60–99 overnight guest tier
For more on why exclusive use changes the overall experience and time cost, see The Hidden Cost of a Shared-Campus Retreat Is Time.
Ways groups lower the per-student cost
- Reach the 100-guest overnight tier.
- Choose Fall/Winter/Spring (lower minimum, strong availability).
- Use midweek or less traditional date patterns when the calendar allows (rate is the same; availability is better).
- Tier student pricing and use sponsorships or fundraisers to cover the gap.
- Keep the program on campus so you avoid extra venue, meal, or activity fees.
How churches typically fund it
Most churches set a student fee that covers the majority of the per-person cost, then use sponsorships, church budget, fundraisers, or a scholarship pool for the rest. The all-inclusive model makes the venue line predictable so the variable pieces (bus, speaker, scholarships) are easier to manage.
FAQ
What is a realistic per-student cost for a church youth retreat in Florida?
For budgeting purposes, many churches can use roughly $300–$475 per student as a planning range for a 2- or 3-night retreat when venue, transportation, programming, materials and contingency are combined. Actual costs vary significantly by group size, distance traveled, program, and what the church provides internally. A 3-night trip for an 80-student group typically lands toward the higher end of that range once bus and programming are included.
Are leaders charged less?
No. Every overnight guest is charged the same per-person rate and counts toward the group-size tier.
Does midweek cost less?
The published rate is the same. Midweek mainly improves availability.
What is included?
Lodging, meals from dinner on arrival through breakfast on departure, meeting space, standard campus activities and equipment (self-directed recreation such as the lake, sports, canoes, and kayaks), and exclusive use of the property. Professional ropes facilitation is arranged separately if requested.
When should we book for 2027?
Popular fall and spring weekends fill 9–12 months out. See the 2027 booking calendar.
