From leading small groups to volunteering your time and talents to assist in planning a conference, there are many ways to get involved with Montreat youth and young adult programs.
Backhome leaders are people who bring groups to Montreat Youth or Middle School Conferences. It’s a great way to get involved in the lives of young people. You will travel with them to the conferences and walk with them through the Montreat experiences.
Backhome leaders often help plan the trip, and serve as the chaperone and support while the group is on-site. This is a really rewarding experience, but its not for the faint of heart.
Please visit the Middle School Conference Back Home Leader Info page or the Montreat Youth Conference Back Home Leader Info page for resources and necessary information to help your youth conference experience be a success.
If you are 21 or older and can contribute some part of your summer, keep reading! Small Group Leaders provide critical guidance for the heart of the Youth Conference, the Small Group (approx. 15 people). Small Group Leaders (SGLs) receive FREE room, board, and travel, but they also expend lots of time and energy. The required training is the Sunday morning before the conference. If you are a back home leader the same week that you are selected to be an SGL, be sure you have plenty of other adults to chaperone your group!
Better yet, come some other week of the summer so you can devote your full energy to the conference! If you are interested in applying to be a small group leader for the Youth Conferences, call 828.419.9833. Applications will be available after the first of the year. All Small Group Leaders must be members of congregations that are members of the World Communion of Reformed Churches (for a listing of member churches, go to www.wcrc.ch).
Small Group Leader applications for the 2023 season will go live in January 2023. The application will be available via the link below.
Training is required for all Small Group Leaders
All meetings are mandatory. The Zoom meetings will be recorded and if you aren't able to be in attendance, you will need to view them prior to the Sunday afternoon meeting. Small Group Leaders should plan to arrive to their conference site by the start of the first training ready to go.
Note about Youth Conference SGLs: SGLs should plan to arrive in Montreat on Sunday, ready to meet at 2:00 pm.
Below is listed the training times for the 2023 season:
- Youth Conference Weeks 1 & 2 | (3 trainings)
- Thursday, June 1 @ 6:30 pm EST. Training by Zoom.
- Saturday, June 3 @ 10:00 am EST. Training by Zoom.
- Sunday your conference begins @ 2:00 pm EST. Training at Montreat. (location to be communicated to participants later).
- Youth Conference Weeks 3 & 4 | (3 trainings)
- Thursday, July 6 @ 6:30 pm EST. Training by Zoom.
- Saturday, July 8 @ 10:00 am EST. Training by Zoom.
- Sunday your conference begins @ 2:00 pm EST. Training at Montreat. (location to be communicated to participants later).
- Youth Conference Weeks 5 & 6 | (3 trainings)
- Thursday, July 20 @ 6:30 pm EST. Training by Zoom.
- Saturday, July 22 @ 10:00 am EST. Training by Zoom.
- Sunday your conference begins @ 2:00 pm EST. Training at Montreat. (location to be communicated to participants later).
- Middle School Conference | (2 trainings)
- Training by Zoom (dates and times TBD, but will be communicated to participants later).
- Wednesday, July 19 @4:30 pm EST. Training at Maryville College.
These new training times are (all times listed are eastern standard time) and will be open to on site SGLs and Back Home Leaders who are choosing to be the SGL for their own group.
For more information, contact Cheryl Payne at cherylp@montreat.org or 828.419.9833.
The application for MYC and MSC planning team is closed.
MYC Planning Team FAQ
MSC Planning Team FAQ
Have questions? Contact Cheryl Payne at cherylp@montreat.org or 828.419.9833.
Short Term Volunteers
Throughout the year, more than 300 amazing volunteers generously give of their time and special skills across all areas of Montreat Conference Center’s ministry. Judging by their smiles, enthusiasm, and their return every year, being a Montreat Volunteer is a fun way to spend your free time while you’re here! Learn more.
Financial Support
Revenues from programs, hospitality, and retail only cover 85% of our annual operating budget. Therefore, the conference center depends on the generous support of community members, churches, businesses, and visitors to fund our many ministries. Learn how you can support Montreat with a financial gift here.