High School Youth Gathering · Nov 20–22, 2026
Made in His Image
A weekend at Watermarks Camp to ask who God says He is, and what it means to be the ones who bear His image.
Theme · Exodus 34:6
Who God Says He Is
If you had to summarize who the God of the universe is, what personality traits would you highlight? Yahweh has a lot to say in His Word about who He is, but He sums up His character in one jam-packed sentence in Exodus 34:6: compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in loyal love and faithfulness. Over the weekend, we’ll trace each of those traits through Israel’s story and ask what they mean for us as people who bear His image.
We’ll start with compassion, unpacking what it meant in the original language and how it’s fulfilled in Jesus. The story of Abraham shows that God’s compassion was never just for Israel, but for all people through Israel. From there we’ll turn to grace, sitting with the story of Jacob and his reunion with Esau as a mirror for how we often approach God, and for how graciously He actually responds. We’ll close in the story of the Exodus, watching Yahweh deal patiently with His people at great cost to Himself, and asking what gets His attention, what stirs His anger, and why He cares so much for the people in our own families, friendships, and communities.
- Compassionate
- Gracious
- Slow to Anger
- Abounding in Loyal Love
- Abounding in Faithfulness
Speaker
Sarah Salzberg
Old Testament teacher at Orange Lutheran High School and theological advisor for the LCMS Youth Gathering.
WordDelivered.comArrival & Departure
Friday, Nov 20
Check-In Opens at 5 PM
Our main session begins at 8 PM.
Sunday, Nov 22
Departure at 11 AM
Please plan pickup and travel accordingly.
Weekend Agenda
Friday
- 5:00 PMCheck-In Opens
- 7:45 PMGather for Session
- 8:00 PMArrive, Welcome, Cabins (rules video) in Venue · Worship/Session in Venue
- 9:00 PMSmall Group Time
- 10:00 PMGroup Night Game
- 11:30 PMDown Time — open activities, get ready for bed
- 12:00 AMIn Cabins, Lights Out
Saturday
- 8:00 AMBreakfast in Shop · Good Vibes Coffee Shop Open
- 8:45 AMGather for Session
- 9:00 AMWorship/Session in Venue
- 10:30 AMGroup Game Time
- 12:00 PMLunch in Shop
- 1:00 PMGroup Game Time
- 2:30 PMREC Time
- 5:30 PMREC Time Ends
- 6:00 PMDinner in Shop · Good Vibes Coffee Shop Open
- 7:15 PMGather for Session
- 7:30 PMWorship/Session in Venue
- 8:25 PMSmall Group Time
- 9:30 PMGroup Night Game
- 11:00 PMDown Time — open activities, get ready for bed
- 11:30 PMIn Cabins, Lights Out
Sunday
- 8:00 AMBreakfast in Shop · Good Vibes Coffee Shop Open
- 9:15 AMWorship/Session in Venue
- 10:00 AMClean/Pack Up (trash out & sweep bathrooms, venues, shop area), grounds clean · charter buses scheduled to arrive if applicable
- 10:30 AMCamp Store Open
- 11:00 AMDepart
Housing Information
Our goal is to make housing as comfortable and accommodating as possible for everyone. This year, the camp’s policy has changed, and our housing plan reflects their new rules.
Cabins generally hold 10 to 16 students. Depending on the size of our group and the total number of campers, a cabin may include participants from more than one church. Whenever possible, we’ll keep members of the same church together, though this may not always be possible based on group sizes and available housing.
Each cabin will have at least one adult assigned to it. Some cabins contain multiple rooms, but only one adult is required within the dwelling. Adults will never be placed alone with a single student.
We appreciate your flexibility as we work within the camp’s updated housing system, and we’ll make every effort to accommodate reasonable requests and help each camper have a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable experience.
Registration
$180
Standard Registration
Open now through Oct 10
$200
Late Registration
Oct 11 through Oct 31
Heads up: the rate goes up $20 after October 10, and registration closes for good on October 31. Sign up early to lock in the lower price.
Register NowHelp Us Spread the Word
Print and post these in your congregation to help students and families learn about Made in His Image. Add your church’s registration price before printing.