Summers are Montreat's biggest time of year! People flock here to spend time in this special place, whether it's for our Youth Conference, our Clubs program, the Fourth of July parade, throwing pots in the Sally Jones Pottery, or just to visit. Below are various activities that are available in our summer season.
NOTE: Our summer season is between Memorial Day and early August. As such, some of our activities will only be available during this time period when we have Summer Staff available.
A Note About Masks
We are continuing to monitor the need for masks. To find mask requirements for specific events, please visit our Covid Health and Safety page.
This Week in Montreat
The TWIM is a weekly publication of Montreat Conference Center detailing events and activities within the Montreat Valley, with weekly messages from Richard DuBose, president of Montreat Conference Center. The TWIM is a great way to stay up-to-date with Montreat's summer activities. Want to be emailed when the TWIM is released? Click the "Sign Up for Updates" button and sign up!
Stay Up to Date
Montreat has an app! Use it to keep up to date with conferences and events, maps, and more. To download the app, download “Yapp” in the Google Play or Apple Store. Enter the Yapp ID “MONTREAT”. You do not have to create an account to access our app, just "Add a new Yapp". Enjoy!
In Case of Emergency
If there is an emergency, call 911.
First Aid
The conference center summer First Aid station is located in the Allen Building, 304 Lookout Rd.
| Mon-Fri | 8:30am–12:30pm 1:00–4:30pm |
|---|
Important Numbers
| Montreat Police | |
|---|---|
| Fire Dept./Rescue | 911 |
| First Aid Station | |
| President's Office | |
| Town of Montreat | |
| Assembly Inn |
Summer Worship Series
Each Sunday morning in the summer season, the community gathers to worship the living God with prayer, singing, artistic expressions, and the Word proclaimed. Everyone is invited to join this holy gathering each Sunday at 10:30am in Anderson Auditorium.
Galax Dining Room
The Galax Dining room is closed to the public for all meals except for Sunday lunch June 5–August 7. Non-refundable tickets may be purchased any time at the Assembly Inn front desk and used for any Sunday. You can call the front desk at 828.669.2911
(Children under the age of 5 eat free).
| Adults | Age 5–11 | |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday Lunch* *(sales tax included) |
$17.00 | $8.50 |
Ten Thousand Villages
Ten Thousand Villages is a global maker‑to‑market movement that breaks the cycle of generational poverty and ignites social change in the developing world.
| Monday–Friday | 10:00 am–6:00 pm |
| Saturday | 10:00 am–5:00 pm |
| Sunday | Noon–5:00 pm |
Contact: 828.669.1406
Located: 3rd floor, Moore Center
The Montreat Store
The Montreat Store is an awesome mix of boutique, gift shop, and general store. From snacks to t-shirts to toiletries to books to pottery, the Montreat Store has it all!
| Monday–Friday | 10:00 am–6:00 pm |
| Saturday | 10:00 am–5:00 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Contact: 828.669.5298
Located: 2nd floor, Moore Center
Presbyterian Heritage Center
318 Georgia Terrace. 828.669.6556. Free admission.
This center offers multiple museum displays, special events, art galleries, a and reference library. Free WiFi and air-conditioning. Summer exhibit includes: Mount Mitchell Railroad; Diplomats, Missionaries & Montreat, repatriation during WWII; Native Americans & Presbyterian Missions; Early Montreat and much more!
| Free Admittance | |
|---|---|
| Heritage Center Hours: | |
| Monday | 1:00–4:00 pm |
| Tuesday–Friday | 10:00 am–4:00 pm |
| Saturday | 12:00–4:00 pm |
| Sunday | closed |
Welcome Center at the Gatehouse
The Montreat Gate House will be open beginning Memorial Day through the conference season. The Gate House is staffed by volunteers in two hour shifts. Volunteers are needed to serve, either as a regular volunteer or a substitute. If you are interested, please let Jim Richardson know.
Phone: 828.669.4454
Phone: 864.986.9792
Email: jamestandsallyg@hotmail.com
| Monday–Thursday | 10:15 am–4:00 pm |
| Friday | 12:00–2:00 pm |
Support Montreat
Support Summer in Montreat and all aspects of Montreat's ministry!
The Huckleberry Café
The newly renovated Huckleberry will be opening this summer! Details on our reopening date (once determined) will be included in This Week in Montreat. Stay tuned!
Second Loaf
| Saturdays | 7:00–11:00 am |
|---|
Second Loaf continues its long history of collecting food donations for the food insecure in our community beginning Saturday, June 11 (except for July 9), and ending Saturday, August 6, in the parking lot area in front of Black Mountain Presbyterian Church. Adjusting for COVID related restrictions, Second Loaf can only take shelf ready non-perishables, cold or frozen food in their original unopened packaging (such as a whole, unopened package of hot dogs), personal care items and paper goods, and fresh produce (fruits and vegetables). Individually wrapped snacks are especially welcome. We are grateful for the generous response of groups who drop off their "second loaves" on their way home.
Recreation Activities
Canoes & Paddleboats
Located on Lake Susan. $5 per boat per half hour.
| Open Daily: | 2:00–6:00 pm |
|---|
Clubs & Childcare
Clubs is Montreat Conference Center's Summer day camp program.
The Clubs Registrar's office is located on Freeland Hall's third floor. They will have limited hours at the Anderson Auditorium Lobby throughout the week. For more information, call 828.419.9837.
| Anderson Auditorium Hours: | |
|---|---|
| Monday–Friday: | 8:15–9:15am |
| Sunday: | 3:00–5:30 pm |
| Freeland Hall Hours: | |
| Monday–Friday: | 9:30 am–4:30 pm |
Bill Wilde Youth Center
Located at 317 Texas Rd. You can check out board games, rent tennis courts, and a variety of other recreation activities. Open for limited hours to the public.
| Monday–Friday | 12:00–1:45 pm 4:45–6:00pm |
|---|
Fishing
Fishing is allowed in Montreat’s streams and in designated areas of the lake with a valid fishing license. Licenses may be purchased from the Montreat Store and Assembly Inn. Refer to signage around the lake for fishing/non-fishing areas and please follow all posted rules.
Hiking & Nature Center
Hiking is open to the public year round. Trail maps can be found at the Anderson Auditorium front desk, the Assembly Inn front desk, or the Nature Center at the bottom of Lookout Road.
The Nature Center is located at the bottom of Lookout Road, behind the Moore Center (click for directions). Montreat Rangers are stationed out of this building June–early August and are eager to help you safely engage with Montreat's Wilderness.
Public Hikes
Public hikes take place June through August most Tuesdays and Thursdays, and some Saturdays. These hikes are lead by our rangers. Hikes range in difficulty, but most difficulties (easy to hard) are represented each week.
Swimming
The Montreat Pool is located behind Dunn Pavilion on Texas Road (click for directions). The Montreat Pool is spring fed and is naturally as cold as the creeks that run through the valley. Admission fees and public hours are listed below. For more information, call 828.357.5031.
| Open Daily: | |
|---|---|
| Monday–Sunday | 1:00–6:00 pm |
| Lap Swim Only: | |
| Monday–Friday | 12:00–1:00 pm |
| Daily Admission Fee: | |
| Three & under | FREE |
| Everyone | $5 |
Tennis & Pickleball
The Patricia Cornwell Tennis Courts are located on Texas Road. Please call in advance to reserve a court. $3 per person per hour. For more information, call 828.357.8556.
Beginning Monday June 13th, Pickleball will be offered on Monday and Friday mornings from 10:30 am–1:00 pm. The cost is $3 per session. Pickleball will conclude for the summer after the first week in August.
| Tennis: | |
|---|---|
| Monday–Friday | 10:00 am–2:00 pm 3:30–6:00 pm |
| Saturday–Sunday | Open until dusk |
Events & Activities
Summer Worship Series
Each Sunday morning in the summer season, the community gathers to worship the living God with prayer, singing, artistic expressions, and the Word proclaimed. Everyone is invited to join this holy gathering each Sunday at 10:30am in Anderson Auditorium.
Public Hikes
Public hikes take place June through August most Tuesdays and Thursdays, and some Saturdays. These hikes are lead by our rangers. Hikes range in difficulty, but most difficulties (easy to hard) are represented each week.
Hymn Sings
Montreat Conference Center's in-person hymn-sings will return on Sunday evening, June 5, at 7 pm, in the first event of the 10-week season. After two pandemic summers of turn-on-a-dime live-streamed hymn-sings, we return for in-person gatherings. A stellar group of musicians, introduced by congenial community hosts, will lead the hymn-sings.
| Hymn Sing Lineup | |
|---|---|
| Date | Leader |
| June 26 | Kyle Ritter and Chris DeJarnett |
| July 3 | Catherine Harkey |
| July 10 | Jeremy Roberts |
| July 17 | Eric Wall, hosted by the Presbyterian Heritage Center |
| July 24 | Robert Alexander |
| July 31 | Catherine Harkey |
| August 7 | Vivian Hare and Keith Grogg |
So, what are the twists on this Montreat tradition?
Starting July 3, Hymn Sings will be held in the Assembly Inn lobby. Until then, Hymn Sings will remain in Convocation Hall.
Sunday evenings, 7:00–8:00pm, Convocation Hall, Assembly Inn. Masking protocols, per Montreat Conference Center. Please come and bring your fellow singers!
Big Circle Mountain Dances
Our first summer dance will take place on Friday, June 10 and will take place weekly on Friday nights through August 5. Be sure to check This Week in Montreat for location updates.
- Dates: Dances will begin Friday, June 10 and continue weekly through Friday, August 5.
- Time: Dances will begin at 7 pm and end by 9 pm
- Place: Check This Week in Montreat for the location
Big Circle Mountain Dancing is a special Montreat tradition! It's a fun filled night of dances called by the Bannerman family and music from the Stoney Creek Boys. All are welcome and admission is free.
Arts, Music, and Theology
Arts, Music, and Theology is a mission and ministry of Montreat Conference Center. Its purpose is to provide the community with educational nourishment via various lectures and lecturers during our summer season. Themes of the lectures span disciplines.
Montreat Youth Conference
Montreat Youth Conferences go from the first week of June to the first Friday in August. These high school aged youth will be participating in small groups, keynotes, worships, and fun and games as a means to question and grow in their faith.
Volunteers
Those seeking to be part-time volunteers should contact Martha Sloan at marthas@montreat.org.
Crafts & Pottery
Pottery, arts, crafts, and cooking classes are offered daily throughout the summer.
|
Pottery Hours (Upstairs) |
|
|---|---|
| Monday– Tuesday |
9:00 am–12:00 pm 2:00 pm–5:00 pm |
| Wednesday | 9:00 am–12:00 pm |
| Thursday | 2:30 pm–5:30 pm Pottery Glazing |
| Friday | Normally closed |
| Saturday | 8:00 am–11:00 am Pottery Pickup |
|
Craft Hours (Downstairs) |
|
| Monday–Thursday | 2:00–5:00 pm |
Sign up for classes begins online each Thursday evening at 6:00 pm. The class registration link will be at the top of the Crafts & Pottery page. If you need further assistance, please email montreatpottery@gmail.com or call Ann Laird Jones at 662.347.3614.