We often associate spirituality with worship, prayer, and other quieter aspects of faith. While these practices are essential to a faithful life, at Montreat we believe that recreation also plays an important role in spiritual growth. That’s why our youth and young adult programs include many different types of recreational activities as a way to build community, strengthen participants’ relationships with God, and deepen their understanding of the world around them.
Building Community Through Play
Montreat has a long history of engaging youth and young adults through recreation that is fun, challenging, and community focused. We believe that if you can play together, you can pray together; if you can sing together, you can talk together; and if you can dance together, then you can walk through life together. You’ll see this philosophy in action during conferences and retreats through energizers, relay races, name games, nine square, gaga ball, and more. These activities create a low-pressure environment where participants can get to know each other and interact with other individuals that they might not have met otherwise.
Offering a variety of ways to engage also ensures that everyone can participate in a way that feels comfortable. Each participant has different interests, learning styles, and ways of communicating, so exploring ideas and themes through a range of activities allows everyone to get involved and feel like they belong.
Strengthening Our Relationship with God
Beyond physical activity, recreation events can also present opportunities to engage mentally and emotionally. Approaching familiar themes through new or different experiences can create opportunities for deeper understanding and reflection. For example, an art project can help participants express thoughts and feelings that might be difficult to put into words and can also provide attendees with a structured opportunity to reflect on and process what they’ve heard. These kinds of activities can help participants recognize God’s presence and challenge them to reflect on the role faith plays in their lives. Whether through creative expression, collaborative challenges, or moments of quiet reflection, recreation can offer a fresh perspective on what it means to live out our faith.
Connecting with the World Around Us
Recreation events also present plenty of opportunities to connect with God’s creation. Time spent outdoors can be a meaningful extension of worship, providing us with opportunities to witness God’s majesty and feel surrounded by God’s presence. When we hike, fish, or relax in the wilderness, we are called to slow down, pay attention, and appreciate the world around us. These moments can deepen our sense of wonder and remind us of our responsibility to care for creation. In this way, time spent in nature becomes more than recreation; it becomes an invitation to listen, reflect, and grow in faith.
At Montreat, we believe we are called to experience life together. Through learning, playing, creating, and exploring, recreation helps us build lasting relationships with God, one another, and the world around us. Sometimes, recontextualizing a theme or idea allows it to have a greater impact, deepening our understanding. Whether we are learning something new, sharing a laugh, or exploring creation together, these experiences remind us that faith grows through the ways we connect with God, each other, and the world around us.
This article was originally published in the October 2026 edition of Montreat Conference Center’s email newsletter Stewarding God’s Creation which highlights information related to the Montreat Wilderness. Sign up to receive Stewarding God’s Creation directly in your inbox by clicking here.