Youth conferees, we are planning to be together in the summer of 2021. The past year has reinforced our belief in the value of being together as the body of Christ! After a year apart, we are eagerly looking forward to welcoming youth to the Montreat valley once again.

To say the least, the summer of 2021 will be different! Please read carefully and come back later on as details continue to emerge! We will update you as plans develop via email and our website.

We are planning for on-site conferences in the hope that circumstances will be improving by the summer, though we know COVID-19 won’t be completely in the rear-view mirror. For instance, given the latest estimates, we anticipate that many adults may have had access to vaccination by June of 2021; youth, however, may not see widespread distribution by that time. We will be following our state’s guidelines for mitigation, and we are now working on several scenarios to minimize risk while maintaining what’s essential to Montreat Youth Conference. These scenarios include adaptations such as: 

  • Limiting the capacities of our larger gatherings (keynote, worship, and recreation) 
  • Limiting the length of all gatherings
  • Making Small Groups smaller
  • Spending additional time with Back Home groups
  • Adjusting the daily schedule to allow for all of the above
  • Maximizing our use of outdoor spaces

Our planning emphasizes worship, keynote, small group, and recreation, just like in every year! We are working to deliver those elements in ways that will meet whatever safety precautions might be in place months from now (see below for a snapshot of where we are now). Of course, at this point that involves guesswork. We’re excited about what might be possible and are hopeful that we can maintain the essential flavor of a Montreat Youth Conference while following safety protocols.

Our planning scenarios assume that restrictions on gatherings will be loosened (though not eliminated) by summer; however, we do have backup plans for ways to function if our gains against COVID-19 are only incremental.

We are also planning for groups that may not be able to be on-site with us this summer. As we did in 2020, we’ll provide a Montreat@Home offering that will include a small group manual, a recreation manual, a back home devotional guide, and keynote and worship components. This material will be based on our conference theme, “Called to Connect” and will feature stage leadership from weeks one and two. Montreat@Home will be available beginning in July. More information about Montreat@Home, including how to register, will be available soon. 

Of course, there are many things we can’t know yet; we are all anticipating multiple versions of what might be. For now, you might want to prepare by thinking about the following:

  • If required, how would you plan to arrive in Montreat with participants who have had a negative COVID test result in the past 72 hours?
  • Should they become easily accessible, could you share at-home COVID test kits with each of your participants? (These have been approved by the FDA and give a near-immediate result at home; they would allow for a closer-to-departure test.)
  • In your conference housing, would you have space to isolate a group member who developed symptoms?
  • Is there an adult in your congregation who would be a great small group leader? If they attended as a small group leader, could you provide their housing and meals? (We would pay their conference fee and a per diem for housing and meals.) We are hoping to boost the number of SGLs who have their own housing.

Of course, we will continue to update this information as new details emerge. 

You may be curious about the state of play here in North Carolina since regulations vary from state to state. 

In North Carolina:

In Buncombe County:
  • Restaurant capacity has been reduced from 50% to 30% (this affects the Galax Dining Room in Assembly Inn).
  • Indoor social gathering limit is 2 (this supersedes state restrictions).
  • You can learn more here.
  • Short term rentals are open, and hotels do not have capacity limitations.

In Montreat:
  • The Galax Dining room is following the restrictions set out by North Carolina and Buncombe County. The buffet line has been replaced with a serving line separating staff from guests with plexiglass.
  • We have been serving meals since reopening in June 2020.
  • Current capacity of the Galax Dining Room is 80.
  • Current capacity of the Auditorium is 100.
  • Montreat staff are using remote work and staggered office schedules to reduce the number of staff in the offices at any given time, and planning team meetings are going on virtually.

Our directors, planning teams, and stage leaders have worked hard (all on zoom!) to imagine what it means that we are Called to Connect as children of God. As we continue to pray and dream and plan, we are grateful for your support, your prayers, and your questions.
Still looking for housing for this year? 
Montreat housing is filling up quickly, but there is some availability left! 

Assembly Inn Housing: If you have the ability to attend weeks 1 or 6, we still have availability and the rates are lower. These weeks are usually less attended then our other weeks, so if you are looking for a more intimate experience this might a great choice for you.

Lodges: There are a few Montreat lodges available for each week. Please reach out to us for more information about pricing and occupancy.
Conference Registration
Conference fee before April 1:

Housing and meals not included.

$280
($100 deposit)
Conference fee after April 1:

Housing and meals not included.

$330
(paid in full)
Contact Us
Need help with registration or housing?
Contact Hope Barker at hopeb@montreat.org or 828.419.9828
Have logistical questions or need resources?
Contact Chris Alexander at chrisa@montreat.org or 828.419.9809
Are you a new group or haven't been in years?
Contact Susie Burns at susieb@montreat.org or 828.419.9814
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