Are your kids ready for an unforgettable weekend away? Youth CONferences gather Unitarian Universalist youth and advisors from across the Southeast for a weekend filled with workshops, games, great food, cozy cabins, and spiritual growth through worship and reflection. Nestled in Highlands, NC (about two hours south of Asheville), The Mountain offers a safe, welcoming environment where youth can build lasting friendships and bond during fun group activities and free time. A UU Asheville parent advisor shared this about the experience last Spring: 

“Our youth were screen/phone-free all weekend and started each day with song, played an epic game of flag football, participated in focus groups, connected, laughed, danced, and crafted a wonderful coffee hour full of impromptu shows and music. They cheered each other on! In particular, the worship service on Sunday morning was inspiring. Our youth are often the only UUs in their school, but as they looked around the room, they could see UUs from all over gathered together for the weekend. The chalice was lit. The sermon, delivered by an earnest and heartfelt ninth grader, focused on what it means to have positive self-talk in the face of adversity. The speaker shared struggles of finding friends in her middle school and staying true to her values even as she navigated peer pressure. She spoke of how important it is to believe in yourself, even on the days when it’s hard to do so.” – AWG

Fall/Winter 2026 CONs

• Elementary CON (3rd–5th graders): November 6–8
• Intermediate CON (6th–8th graders): November 20–22
• Senior High CON (9th–12th graders): December 11–13

 

 

Lodging, Safety, & Pricing

Children and youth attend as part of our congregational group. Lodging is all-gender, with up to eight youth sharing a cabin alongside two background-checked adult advisors from UU Asheville. If we have a really small group then we may be placed in a cabin with another congregation. Supervision is provided collaboratively by our adult advisors, teenage Peer Advocate Leaders (PALs), and Mountain Staff.

To ensure these retreats remain accessible to everyone, The Mountain offers a tiered payment structure for both youth and adult advisors.

Find out more about The Mountain Youth Conferences and Spring 2027 dates HERE.

How to Register

1. Register your child directly on The Mountain’s website: https://www.themountainrlc.org/youth-conferences/
2. Text or email Anna Martin (617-470-6231 / anna.ward.martin@gmail.com) to let me know your child is coming so we can ensure proper adult-to-youth supervision ratios. Also let me know if an adult from your family could be an advisor; this is a shared community responsibility — and it’s a fun connecting opportunity for the adults too!

 

Calling Adult Advisors!

We need enthusiastic adult volunteers to make these trips possible. As an advisor, you would be background checked by the church. Over the weekend you’ll drive youth to Highlands, stay in the cabin with them, and join them during meals and open downtime. You’ll receive blocks of free time on Saturday morning and afternoon to hike, read, nap, do puzzles, or connect with other UU adult advisors. Your weekend fee has the same flexible payment tiers. If you are interested in serving as an advisor for any of these weekends, please hold off on registering online and email Anna Martin directly at anna.ward.martin@gmail.com first.

– Anna Martin 

Anna Martin is a dedicated UU AVL Faith Formation volunteer as well as a member of the Safety & Security Team and part of our Welcome Team as well. She also serves as the Board Chair of The Mountain’s Board of Trustees!