From August 31 through September 2, six staff members from the YSB had the opportunity to attend the 2026 IYSA Youth Worker Development Retreat, themed “Growing Seeds of Hope.”

Held at the beautiful Country Lake Christian Retreat in southern Indiana, the retreat provided an opportunity for youth-serving professionals from across Indiana to step away from their day-to-day responsibilities, learn from one another, build stronger teams, and take time for personal renewal.

For YSB staff, the retreat was a great reminder that supporting young people starts with also supporting the people who work with them every day. The retreat offered a great mix of meaningful training and opportunities for reflection and connection. Staff participated in sessions covering topics that can be directly applied to their work with children, youth, and families.

Training topics included the neuroscience of fun, managing leadership anxiety, using narrative to strengthen youth connection, managing emotions, and others relevant to working with young people and supporting healthy relationships. These sessions gave staff new ideas and perspectives while reinforcing an important part of YSB’s work: effective youth services require more than simply knowing what to do. They require understanding ourselves, building meaningful relationships, managing our own emotions, and finding creative ways to connect with the young people we serve.

Professional development was only part of the experience. The retreat also provided plenty of opportunities for staff to step outside their comfort zones and have some fun together. YSB staff participated in activities including axe throwing, paintball, and Minute-to-Win-It games. These activities created plenty of laughter and friendly competition while giving staff an opportunity to interact with one another in a completely different setting. Team-building experiences like these help strengthen relationships among coworkers and build trust. This is something that carries back into the workplace and ultimately benefits the children, youth, and families we serve.

Perhaps one of the most valuable parts of the retreat was simply having the opportunity to slow down. Youth-serving work can be incredibly rewarding, but it can also be challenging. Taking time for wellness, reflection, and renewal allows staff to return to their work with renewed energy and perspective. The peaceful surroundings of Country Lake provided the perfect setting for that process. Away from the usual pace and demands of the workday, staff had the opportunity to reconnect with themselves, their coworkers, and the reasons they chose this work in the first place.

The theme of this year’s retreat, “Growing Seeds of Hope,” was a fitting reminder of the impact youth workers can have. Every day, staff have opportunities to plant seeds. This can be done through a conversation, a word of encouragement, a new skill, a safe relationship, or simply by showing a young person that someone believes in them. We may not always get to see those seeds grow immediately, but through consistent support, connection, and encouragement, those small moments can make a lasting difference.

YSB is grateful to the Indiana Youth Services Association for providing this valuable opportunity for youth-serving professionals across Indiana. We believe that when we invest in our staff, we strengthen our ability to invest in the children, youth, and families we serve. Here’s to continuing to grow, learn, laugh, and most importantly, grow seeds of hope together.