Save the date!

We are excited to offer a special conference that seeks to address the needs of outdoor ministry and youth ministry leaders. Please put the “Shaping Our Story” Conference on your calendar and make plans to join us at Montreat Conference Center (Montreat, NC) on November 8-12. Registration for this event will begin in the next couple months. The Planning Team for this event is still lining up the conference leadership, but we hope you will check out some of the program details below. Would you be interested in offering a workshop at this event? 

OUR THEME

Shaping Our Story: Discovering the Next Chapter in Outdoor and Youth Ministry

After this past year of pandemics, political unrest, and racial tension, youth and outdoor ministry workers are starting to face the realities of what the next chapter holds for our ministry contexts. While there is no way to foreshadow the next conflict, or understand how all will be resolved in our ministries, we can begin to shape how we respond as we move forward in hope. This conference will seek to address how we as ministry professionals and volunteers tell our stories of grief and joy, fear and hope, discomfort and resilience, AND hold all of these feelings as we work together to rebuild community and a sense of belonging.

OUR CONFERENCE IS HOSTED BY MONTREAT CONFERENCE CENTER

Nestled in the mountains of Western North Carolina, Montreat is a conference center with roots in the Presbyterian Church (USA). For over 100 years, they have been a place set apart for those who journey seeking a closer relationship with their Creator. Monreat is located just 30 minutes east of Asheville. We hope you will make plans to arrive early or stay after the conference in order to enjoy more of this beautiful part of the world.

The Planning Team for the conference is seeking workshop presenters. Our workshop sessions are scheduled throughout the week and are approximately 75 minutes in length. As a community of servant leaders, we do not compensate workshop leaders. If you are not planning on attending the conference as a participant, we are willing to provide you meals and the program participant fee during the day of your session.

Conference Schedule

CALL FOR  SPONSORS

Perhaps you know a company or organization that would like to be represented at the “Shaping Our Story” Conference. Our exhibit hall is sold out, but we still have sponsorship opportunities available. This allows companies and organizations to participate in the conference without even traveling to North Carolina. We hope you will consider the possibilities by clicking the link below.

We have a variety of lodging options for your four-night stay during the conference. All of the accommodations are located around Lake Susan are an easy walk to meals, workshops, and plenary sessions. For families that will be attending the event, we suggest booking adjoining rooms with a shared bath (cots are also available).

Assembly Inn
Located at the heart of the conference center overlooking Lake Susan, the historic and newly-renovated Assembly Inn accommodates guests in 100 single and double occupancy rooms. All rooms have either one king bed, one queen bed, or two twin beds. A beautiful lobby and the Galax dining hall are located inside Assembly Inn.

Assembly Inn (private bath, single occupancy)    $321.00 (limited availability)
Assembly Inn (private bath, double occupancy)   $160.50
Assembly Inn (shared bath, single occupancy)    $256.50
Assembly Inn (shared bath, double occupancy)   $128.50

Winsborough Lodge
Located just across the lake from Assembly Inn, Winsborough is a charming stone lodge with simple, yet comfortable accommodations. Guest rooms in the Winsborough are attached via a connecting bath. Recently updated, the lobby houses a piano, a grand fireplace, and comfortable seating.

Winsborough (shared bath, single occupancy)     $214.00
Winsborough (shared bath, double occupancy)    $107.00

MEALS
The conference meals are Monday Dinner through Friday Breakfast. The Galax Dining Room in the Assembly Inn prepares fresh, delicious meals, using quality ingredients. Montreat works hard to source their produce locally through Mountain Foods in nearby Asheville. They use local honey, stone ground grits from Rutherford County, specialty cakes from Lake Lure, and North Carolina pork products. The meats they serve are all natural, free of antibiotics, gluten, and MSG. Their salads are homemade and fresh cut; no bagged products are used.

Adult                     $138.00
Child (Age 5-11)   $71.00
Children under 5   Free

TrANSPORTATION

We will be shuttling participants from and to the Asheville Regional Airport (AVL). The conference center is 35 minutes from the airport. There will be a $20 fee per person for round-trip airport transportation. For arrivals, we ask that you schedule your arrival by 4:30pm on Monday, November 8. For departures, shuttles to the Asheville Regional Airport will run 5:30am to noon on Friday, November 12.

Fee for Round-Trip Shuttle $20.00 per person

Registration Fee

We encourage any one related to outdoor or youth ministry to attend this event. The registration fees for the conference can be found below. Registration for the event will begin in the next couple months.

Cancellation Policy

Prior to October 8, all but $100.00 will be refunded to you. After this date, the entire fee is nonrefundable.

Scholarships

If you need financial assistance in order to attend the conference, please contact
Joel Winchip for PCCCA
Brian Kuhn for PYWA
Bill Bourdon for OMA-UCC
Joe Richards for OMI-UCC.

FAQ