What to expect at a SAYF Retreat
Weekend retreats last from Friday evening through Sunday morning. Teens travel from their home meeting to the SAYF retreat with Friendly Adult Drivers [FADs]
Friday night after everyone has arrived there is a guidelines circle where local Meeting rules are explained and the sleeping guidelines are shared.
Saturday morning all teens and Friendly Adult Nurturers (FANs) participate in Opening Circle where SAYF guidelines are reviewed and a query is shared. Each member of the community is invited to share their thoughts about the query.
Saturday activities may include games, service projects, special workshops on a theme, guest speakers, talent shows, arts & crafts and free time.
Sunday morning young Friends and FANs reflection on the retreat in worship journals. offer feedback with “Kevin,” attend the local Meeting for Worship for thanks and introductions, and have a closing circle to read epistles.
All meal preparation and clean up is done by young Friends with FAN support.
Retreat Forms & Information
- SAYF Retreat Medical Release Form (Required once a year with updates as needed.)
- September 2026 Retreat Registration(Required for each retreat)
- Photo Permission Form (Required once a year)
- Standard Retreat Fee:
$40/teen/retreat, $100/family/retreat (3 or more teens)- Payment via PayPal or Credit/Debit Card can be made at the “Donate” link below.
- Addresses – SAYF Friends Meetings
SAYF Guidelines
- SAYF Community Guidelines
- SAYF Sleeping Guidelines
- SAYF Sleeping Arrangements
- SAYF Transgender Policy
- Kevin (Feedback) Guidelines
- Epistle Writing Information (guidance)
- Guidelines for Night Shepherds
- SAYF Nurturer Guidelins
Retreat Calendar
August 21-23 Nurturer & Steering Committee Retreat
West Knoxville Friends Meeting
Lead FAN: Jennifer Killen jenkillen2@gmail.com
September 18-20 SAYF Retreat
Atlanta Friends Meeting, Atlanta, GA
Lead FAN: Devin Lenz devintlenz@me.com
October 23-25 SAYF Retreat
Durham Friends Meeting, Durham, NC
Lead FAN: Jennifer Killen jenkillen2@gmail.com
November 13-15 SAYF Retreat
Nashville Friends Meeting, Nashville, TN
Lead FAN: Wes Morris
January 15-17 SAYF Retreat
Atlanta Friends Meeting, Atlanta, GA
Lead FAN: Devin Lenz, devintlenz@me.com
February 19-21 SAYF Nurturing and Steering Committe Retreat
West Knoxville Friends Meeting
Lead FAN: Jennifer Killen
jenkillen2@gmail.com
March (TBD) SAYF Retreat
Celo, Arthur Morgan School
Lead FAN: Julia Hudson
juliahudsonriver@gmail.com
Co-Lead FAN: Mari Ohta
ohta.mari@gmail.com
April 16-18 SAYF Retreat
Asheville Friends Meeting
Lead FAN: Laura Lane
mayndog@hotmail.com
2027 SAYF at SAYMA Retreat (TBD)
Southern Appalachian Young Friends at SAYMA (Teens 13*-18)
SAYF at SAYMA serves as both the last and the first retreat of the year for SAYF. *Rising 7th graders (who may be 12 years old) may attend SAYF at SAYMA as their first retreat as they age out of JYM while Young Friends who are graduating from SAYF will experience a wonderful graduation ceremony on the last evening. All teens are welcome to join SAYF at SAYMA, even if they haven’t been active in SAYF in the past. This retreat combines fellowship, worship, and business. Teens stay in a dorm together and meals are eaten in the dining hall with SAYMA Friends during regular dining hours.
SAYF at SAYMA Sponsor Requirements:
Teens must arrange to have an adult sponsor in order to attend SAYF at SAYMA. We understand that not all SAYFers have parents/guardians who attend SAYMA Sessions and Retreat each year. For this reason, we ask that each teen have a sponsor, who may be a parent or may be another adult Friend, who will be on campus throughout the gathering weekend. SAYFers and their sponsors must attend a brief orientation meeting on the first night, and the sponsor will be responsible for their Young Friend whenever they are not involved in supervised SAYF activities. *Children who are 12 years old and rising 7th graders may choose to participate in JYM or the SAYF program.
SAYF Gallery
