Montreat Conference Center

Current Conferences

Dates • Leadership • Incentives • Housing • Commuter Rates • Registration Forms • Adding/Cancelling • General

Already registered?

• Download the Montreat Room Assignment Form
• Download the Additions & Cancellations Form
• Download the Pre-Conference Study Guide
• Download the Covenant and Medical Form
• Download the Back Home Devotional Guide

“Searching for the Signal”

This conference is designed for high school students and their adult leaders

Gathered on this journey in a living community, we aspire to provide and model faithful ways to live out the call God has for each of us. Through this conference, we hope to empower young people to achieve sustainable changes in themselves and in others. We strive to provide a community of unconditional acceptance, carving out a refuge where God’s grace and the Holy Spirit’s presence are always at work. Although the path ahead may seem filled with uncertainty, we will reveal a bearing for the journey. Leaving as sojourning disciples of Christ, young people can and will spread a hopeful message by word and deed.

The Montreat Youth Conferences are designed for high school students, entering freshmen through graduated seniors. A Youth Conference is a unique gathering of young people from all over the country for a week of study, worship, and recreation. Activities include morning energizers, music, keynote, small group meetings where the conference theme is explored, afternoon recreation activities, and evening worship.

Youth Conference Dates & Promotional Flyers

• Week I: June 5-11, 2011
• Week II: June 12-18, 2011
• Week III: July 10-16, 2011
• Week IV: July 17-23, 2011
• Week V: July 24-30, 2011
• Week VI: July 31-August 6, 2011

Considering a Mission Trip?

Add a Montreat Summer Mission Experience to your Youth Conference week! Build in a meaningful community helping project for a fraction of what a separate mission trip would cost. Your youth group can make a real difference in the world – while the Youth Conference is making a difference for them!

Questions about adding a mission experience? Contact Aimee Wallis Buchanan director of Asheville Youth Mission.

Key Leadership for Youth Conference Weeks I & II

Keynoter: Rodger Nishioka, Decatur, GA; associate professor of Christian education, Columbia Theological Seminary. Rodger served for 12 years as denominational staff in youth and young adult ministry for the PC(USA). Currently, his broader focus is on equipping pastors for their roles as teachers and leaders in the educational ministry of the church. He brings particular interest in building a congregation’s youth ministry and is currently researching what attracts young adults to the church. He enjoys hiking, camping and exploring Atlanta.

Preacher: Adam Copeland, Moorhead, MN; Mission Developer, The Project F-M, an emerging new faith community for 20/30 somethings in Fargo-Moorhead. Originally from north Florida, Adam grew up attending Montreat conferences and has worked on Montreat Summer Staff. Now in Minnesota, Adam is trying to convert folks to saying “y’all” more often, and “Coke” instead of “pop.” When he’s not online blogging or tweeting, you’ll find Adam running, cross-country skiing, or at the nearest coffee shop.

Co-Recreation Leader: Lindsey Wells Peery, Shreveport, LA; currently serves in a validated ministry with a Christian non-profit organization, Volunteers of America in Shreveport, LA. Lindsey enjoys spontaneous dance parties and has dreams of becoming an aerobics instructor when she grows up. She is ready to explore our conference theme through play, worship, music, and Bible study with the people of God who come through the gates of Montreat.

Co-Recreation Leader: Kim McNeill, Durham, NC; Staff Associate for Youth and Congregational Life at University Presbyterian Church in Chapel Hill, NC. Kim is a former Camp Director, Small Group Leader, and 2010 Planning Team member. She loves the beach, energizers, UNC and all things Carolina blue and is excited to be a part of the recreation and re-creation that happens every summer at Montreat Youth Conference!

Co-Music Leader: Eric Wall, Asheville, NC; Director of Music, First Presbyterian Church and Conference Center Musician at Montreat Conference Center. Eric had an amazing time at the Youth Conferences in 2009 and is really excited to be back! He enjoys reading, film, music, and playing with his golden retriever Wrigley.

Co-Music Leader: Beth Williams, Charlotte, NC; Singer/Songwriter, music teacher. Beth has worked with children, youth, and young adults for the last 20 years. She served as Director of Youth Ministries at First Presbyterian Church, Charlotte for 10 years. Beth has led music at Montreat Youth Conferences, Montreat Middle School Conferences, and is set to lead music at the College Conference in January. She has keynoted and led music at church and presbytery events around the southeast and is honored to be a part of Montreat’s Alpha team. Favorite activities include playing guitar, hiking, hanging with her family, and being a mom.

Key Leadership for Youth Conference Weeks III & IV

Co-Keynoter: Meg Peery McLaughlin, Prairie Village, KS; Associate Pastor of Pastoral Care at Village Presbyterian Church. Meg grew up wandering the woods, hopping the rocks, and appreciating the relationships of this old cove, so being in Montreat feels like coming home. She’ll know she’s not in Kansas anymore when the tea gets sweeter, the breakfasts get grit-tier, and “ya’ll” is part of everyday vocabulary.
Co-Keynoter: Jarrett McLaughlin, Prairie Village, KS; Associate Pastor for Young Adult Ministry and Mission at Village Presbyterian Church. When not collecting more stamps for his passport, Jarrett enjoys hiking, photography and live music. He is currently trying to express his entire life story using nothing but song lyrics.

Preacher: Bruce-Reyes Chow; San Francisco, CA; founding pastor, Mission Bay Community Church. Bruce is passionate about finding ways in which generations can work together to live out the amazing gift of grace that God has given in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In his spare time he has been known engage in all that social media craziness, attend many a baseball games and drink lots and lots and lots of coffee. And for you Presbyterians in the house, Bruce was the Moderator of the 218th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA)

Co-Recreation Leader: Patrick Laney, Tuscaloosa, AL; Associate Pastor for Youth and Family, First Presbyterian Church. He loves people and loves to laugh and tell stories with anyone who will listen. Patrick’s favorite moments are spent in the backyard or poolside. He is an avid sports fan and also enjoys playing video games and pretending to fix things in his free time.

Co-Recreation Leader: Heather Scott, Nashville, TN; She is a soon-to-be graduate of Belmont University (Dec ‘10) majoring in Audio Engineering. Heather has worked on Montreat Summer Staff the last 6 summers. She would choose the mountains over the beach any day, is a total music junkie and a huge supporter of Invisible Children and peace in East Africa.

Music Leader: Jeffrey Harper, Nashville, TN; a recent graduate of Belmont University as a jazz guitar major, Jeffrey enjoys playing with several bands around Nashville and Birmingham as well as writing music, reading, meeting new people, laughing, and hanging out with his family and friends.

Key Leadership for Youth Conference Weeks V & VI

Keynoter: David Ealy, Lakeside Park, KY; Associate Pastor at Lakeside Presbyterian Church. As a pastor and educator for his church, David spends a lot of time with the youth going to Montreat, doing mission, and wrestling with questions of God. He has also spent time serving on planning team and being a small group leader for many conferences. Chocolate is the fastest way to influence his behavior!

Preacher: Jessica Tate, Fairfax, VA; Associate Pastor at Fairfax Presbyterian Church. Jessica’s first appearance at a Montreat Youth Conference was as an infant…and she’s come back every chance she gets! She loves the beach, reading, yoga, and any chance to get outside—running, biking, hiking. And, of course, chocolate—of any variety.

Co-Recreation Leader: Neil Myer, Twinsburg, OH; Director of Christian Education and Youth Ministries at Pioneer Memorial Presbyterian Church in Solon, OH. Neil called games on the radio and interned in sports television before being called to full time ministry. He loves the Michigan State Spartans, Montreat, golf, tennis, and ketchup on chicken fingers, french fries and scrambled eggs.

Co-Recreation Leader: Jen Evans, Charlotte, NC; Director of Middle School Ministries at First Presbyterian Church. She is a Charlotte native and in her spare time she enjoys hittin’ the gym, hanging out with the family, and popping in a good 80’s movie to watch.

Music Leader: Rich Richards, Greensboro, NC; Director of Music and Worship Arts at Alamance Presbyterian Church. Rich remembers “sticking to the pews” during the very warm summer evening worship services nearly 20 years ago. Because Rich loves collaboration, he will be joined by Scott Brown, Director of Youth Ministry at First Presbyterian Church and Scott Neely, Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries at Alamance Presbyterian Church, both in Greenbsoro, NC. Rich loves all music from Bach to Bill Monroe and enjoys cycling, rowing, hiking, and cooking.

Special Incentives for Early Registration!

If you send us your registration form…
— on or before September 30th, your group will be entered into a drawing to win a pizza party from My Father’s Pizza with the Youth Conference Leadership, in addition to receiving free youth conference t-shirts equal to the number of conferees registered by December 1st!
— on or before December 1st, you will receive free youth conference t-shirts equal to the number of conferees registered by December 1st!

Comprehensive Rates Including Conference, Room, & Meals

Rates below include conference fee of $240, housing in one of Montreat Conference Center’s hotel facilities (Assembly Inn, Winsborough, or Glen Rock Inn), meals in the Galax Dining Room (Sunday supper through Saturday breakfast), plus a $5 community services fee per person. Beginning January 16th, the conference fee increases by $10 per person per month. Download a rate sheet.

Comprehensive Rates for Weeks I & VI:

Winsborough or Glen Rock Inn
—Triple Occupancy, Connecting Bath: $507 per person (limited number of rooms available)
—Double Occupancy, Connecting Bath: $557 per person
Assembly Inn
—Triple Occupancy, Connecting Bath: $527 per person (limited number of rooms available)
—Triple Occupancy, Private Bath: $567 per person
—Double Occupancy, Connecting Bath: $587 per person
—Double Occupancy, Private Bath: $647 per person

Comprehensive Rates for Weeks II, IV & V:

Winsborough or Glen Rock Inn
—Triple Occupancy, Connecting Bath: $507 per person (limited number of rooms available)
—Double Occupancy, Connecting Bath: $557 per person
Assembly Inn
—Triple Occupancy, Connecting Bath: $547 per person (limited number of rooms available)
—Triple Occupancy, Private Bath: $587 per person
—Double Occupancy, Connecting Bath: $617 per person
—Double Occupancy, Private Bath: $677 per person

Comprehensive Rates for Week III:

Winsborough or Glen Rock Inn
—Triple Occupancy, Connecting Bath: $507 per person (limited number of rooms available)
—Double Occupancy, Connecting Bath: $557 per person
Assembly Inn
—Triple Occupancy, Connecting Bath: $567 per person (limited number of rooms available)
—Triple Occupancy, Private Bath: $607 per person
—Double Occupancy, Connecting Bath: $647 per person
—Double Occupancy, Private Bath: $707 per person

Commuter Rates for Conference Only

Rates below include the conference fee (starting at $240) plus a $5 community services fee per person. Room & meals are not included. This rate is for groups staying in one of Montreat Conference Center’s Guest Lodges, Montreat College (Anderson, Howerton, McGregor, and Davis Halls), William Black Lodge, or other Private Housing facilities.

Commuter Rates for All Weeks:
—On or before January 15th: $245 per person
—Between January 16th and February 15th: $255 per person
—Between February 16th and March 15th: $265 per person
—Between March 16th and April 15th: $275 per person
—After April 15th: $285 per person

Registration Form for Groups

Group leaders must register their youth groups as a block using the 2011 Youth Conference Registration Packet. Each conference is limited. All registrations will be processed in the order received. There will be no registrations by phone. Questions about registering your group? Contact the registrar, chandlerg[at]montreat.org.

Registration Form for Individuals NOT Coming with a Group

Individuals NOT coming with a group may register for weeks I & VI only using the 2011 Youth Conference Registration Packet for INDIVIDUALS. Space is limited. All registrations will be processed in the order received. There will be no registrations by phone. Questions about registering as an individual? Contact the registrar, chandlerg[at]montreat.org.

Commissioning Service Liturgy

In response to requests, we’ve developed brief liturgy for a short service for commissioning the young people and adult leaders who are heading to a Montreat Youth Conference this summer!

• Download a pdf that you can print quickly and fill in the blanks on the go!
• Download a document that you can edit yourself.

General Information for All Youth Conferences

• Leader Chats: Some youth leaders have been bringing groups to Montreat Youth Conferences for years. Learn about their processes, fundraising efforts and more in these audio interviews.

• Eligibility: The Montreat Youth Conferences are designed for high school students, entering freshmen through graduated seniors, and for their group leaders. All groups must include at least one adult for every six young people. Adults must be housed with their youth.

• Housing: There are numerous housing options to meet the needs of various size groups, including Assembly Inn, Winsborough Inn, and Glen Rock Inn, which include meals in the Galax Dining Room in the Assembly Inn. Other housing options within a five minute walking distance are Montreat College, which offers dorm rooms and meals in Howerton Cafeteria, and William Black Lodge, which offers lodge accommodations and meals at the lodge. Prices for Assembly Inn, Winsborough, Glen Rock Inn, Montreat College dorms and William Black Lodge are listed in the registration packet. Private housing is also an option with housing accommodations and meal arrangements made between the church and the private cottage owner. A special meal package is available for individuals and/or groups who would like to purchase lunch or supper at the Galax Dining Room in Assembly Inn. You may request a private cottage list by emailing carolo[at]montreat.org. For more information concerning private housing, download helpful hints.

• Conference Schedule: A Youth Conference is a unique gathering of young people from all over the country for a week of study, worship, and recreation. A typical day at Youth Conference includes morning energizers, music, keynote, small group meetings where the conference theme is explored, afternoon recreation activities, and evening worship, as well as other options (Wednesday afternoon is free). Registration will begin at 3:00 PM on Sunday. The conference will run from Sunday supper through Saturday breakfast. Sample schedule

• Opportunities for College Students: You have an opportunity to participate in the Youth Conference as a member of the Collegiate Work Crew. We are looking for college students who want to attend the conference with their church groups. You will have the chance to help the conference planning team during the week. You will work behind the scenes, learn the ropes, and get a close-up look at what is involved in running a Youth Conference. Look for more Work Crew information in your Back Home packet. No application is necessary; just make sure that you are registered as a part of your church group.

• Small Group Leaders: If you are 21+, a member of a denomination in the Reformed tradition, and are interested in applying to be a small group leader for the Youth Conferences, call 800.572.2257, ext. 327, or download a Small Group Leader Application. You may be both a small group leader and a back home leader if there is another adult with your home group attending the conference. Your registration fee is waived, and your room, board, and travel are covered! All small group leaders must be members of congregations that are members of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (for a listing of member churches, go to World Alliance of Reformed Churches).

• Scholarships: Limited scholarship funds are available for this conference.

• Opportunities for Younger Children: Learn more about the Clubs & Child Care program. Pre-registration is required. Enrollment is limited.

• Planning Teams: Be part of the planning for a future Montreat Youth Conference. Apply now!

• Cancellation Policy: See the registration packet for cancellation details.

Additional Youth Conference Resources

• If you would like the “2011 Youth Conference Registration Packet” mailed to you via U.S. mail, please email carolo[at]montreat.org or write Montreat Conference Center, P.O. Box 969, Montreat, NC 28757, or call 800.572.2257, ext. 338.
• Have you heard about the Morgan Endowment for Youth?
• Check out resources from past youth conferences.

Looking ahead to the 2012 Youth Conferences at Montreat: Perfectly Imperfect
Week 1: June 3-9
Week 2: June 10-16
Week 3: July 8-14
Week 4: July 15-21
Week 5: July 22-28
Week 6: July 29 – August 4

Check out other opportunities for youth and young adults offered by the Center for Youth & Young Adult Ministry

Download Registration Information »