Montreat Middle School Conference is quickly approaching! If you’ve never attended before, this event is a unique, faith-centered experience designed to help middle school students grow spiritually, build lasting relationships, and discover the joy of Christian community. We hope you will consider joining us! Below, we’ve collected more about this conference so that you know what to expect when bringing a group.
The first thing to know is that Montreat Middle School Conference doesn’t take place in Montreat. Instead, the event is set on the campus of Maryville College in Maryville, TN. Maryville College is also affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), making them an ideal partner for this event. Additionally, their campus creates an ideal setting for middle school students, many of whom are attending overnight trips with their youth group for the first time. All participants and their adult leaders are housed on campus, creating space for a supportive and engaging community throughout the event.
The rhythm of the conference is carefully designed to engage youth in a variety of meaningful ways. Each day includes keynote sessions, worship, recreation, and small group meetings. These activities together introduce and reinforce the conference’s central themes. During keynote, participants gather for announcements, music, and to hear a message related to the conference theme. These sessions create energy and unity while introducing ideas that encourage deeper reflection. Worship builds on this foundation by inviting youth to encounter the Word of God through scripture, song, and creative expression. These experiences affirm their identity as children of God.
Small groups are at the heart of the conference experience and provide a space where youth can share and expound on their faith in a safe and respectful setting. Guided by trained adult leaders, these groups encourage honest conversation and thoughtful engagement with the themes introduced in keynote and worship. Here, participants often form meaningful connections as they discover that they are not alone in their questions, hopes, and experiences of faith.
In addition to structured programming, the conference emphasizes the importance of joy and shared experiences. Through recreation and community activities, youth are engaged physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. These moments of play and celebration are an essential part of faith formation, embracing the belief that people who play together can pray together and those who sing and dance together can grow together in community.
Each evening, middle school youth gather with their Back Home Groups, which include the peers and leaders they arrived with. These gatherings create space for reflection through conversation and prayer. Participants can process what they have learned and felt, which deepens the impact of the conference. With the help of provided materials, adult leaders guide these discussions and help youth connect the day’s themes to their own lives and faith journeys.
This year’s conference will be led by a dedicated team that includes Melanie Marsh, Drew Wilmesherr, Emily Wilmesherr, DJ Boyd, and Cade Johnson. We invite you to learn more about each of them by clicking here.
Ultimately, Montreat’s Middle School Conference fulfills its purpose by creating a space where middle school students are invited to explore their faith, form authentic relationships, and experience the transformative power of Christian community. If you are interested in attending, registration is open! Sign up now using the link below.
This article was originally published in the April 2026 edition of Montreat Conference Center’s email newsletter Experiencing Connection which highlights opportunities for youth and young adults at Montreat. Sign up to receive Experiencing Connection directly in your inbox by clicking here.