Youth CONferences

Any group must include at least three people– for example, two youth and an advisor. At no time should one adult and one youth be alone together out of sight of other adults unless the adult is a parent or legal guardian of the youth. Elementary and Intermediate youth must be accompanied by an advisor, PAL, PAL Mentor, or Mountain Staff member at all times as a part of their Group of Three. Senior High youth may travel in Groups of Three or more around the top of The Mountain without an adult present. An advisor, PAL, PAL Mentor, or Mountain Staff member must be aware of where the Group of Three Senior High youth is going.

Hugs not drugs: no illegal possession, distribution, or use of nicotine, alcohol, marijuana or other drugs

Silence the violence: no violence or threats of violence of any kind

No schleppin’ a weapon: no possession or use of weapons (this includes pocket knives and any object that is being used as a weapon)

Ex to the sex: this is not an appropriate place to engage in sexual activity, defined as any touching within a bathing suit area or touching with sexual intent

This year’s covenant will be posted after the Fall PAL weekend.

A verbal reminder or discussion can satisfactorily address most of the common behavioral issues that arise at CONs. As facilitators, PALs and PAL Mentors will initiate dialogue regarding concerning behavior when they are present. As an advisor, it is your responsibility to supervise any youth in your vicinity, and that may include discussing behavioral issues with them in the moment.

Any significant behavioral issue (violation of the Big Four or Rule of Three, significant breach of our covenant or safety protocols, pattern of behavior that does not align with our values, etc.) should be brought to the attention of the Youth Program Manager. A Behavioral Incident Report will be used to document the situation and facilitate a discussion to resolve the issue at hand. A Trespass Council, comprised of 3 PALS, 3 PAL Mentors, and an advisor from the youth’s congregation, may be convened. Any CON participant who violates the Big Four may be asked to leave The Mountain immediately or housed with an advisor from their congregation and a PAL Mentor in a cabin separate from the CON for the remainder of the weekend (allowing the rest of their group to participate fully in the rest of the CON).

If there is any concern that a youth may be experiencing physical or sexual abuse, the matter should be brought to the attention of the Youth Program Manager immediately and reported to the appropriate authorities. Similarly, if any youth threatens or attempts suicide or is suspected to be engaging in other self-destructive behavior (cutting, drug abuse, eating disorder, etc.), the Youth Program Manager must be immediately informed so that the appropriate steps may be taken.

It is the responsibility of your congregation to transport your youth to and from The Mountain. In accordance with our safety policy, no adult is to be alone with a youth off-site while traveling to or from The Mountain unless the adult is a parent or legal guardian of the youth.

Directions to The Mountain can be found here.

Check-in is from 7 pm – 8 pm on Friday, the first day of the CON. Please arrive promptly. If you can’t avoid arriving after 9pm, please contact The Mountain at 828-526-5838 before 5 pm on check-in day to let us know. The CON concludes at 11:30 am on Sunday.

Details, such as which workshops are offered, are planned by PALs for each CON.

To view a template of the full schedule of an average CON, please click here.

The Dining Hall provides delicious meals suited to each individuals’ dietary needs. In addition to the main meal options, there is a bagel and sandwich station with fresh fruit available at all times and a salad bar at lunch and dinner. Advisors are welcome to help themselves to hot tea or coffee at any time.

On Saturday, we serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. On Sunday, we serve breakfast. Please ensure that your group eats before arriving on the first evening, as we do not serve Friday dinner.

Our cabins hold 8 youth and 2 advisors. Youth bunk in the same cabin as the advisor accompanying them. In order to fill each cabin, groups from multiple congregations may be housed together. Housing is gender neutral. (To request a gender specific cabin, contact the Youth Program Manager by any of the means listed at the bottom of this page.) There must be one advisor for every four youth– gender is not a factor when considering advisor to youth ratios. At Intermediate and Senior High CONs, there is a lock-in on Saturday night. Youth have the option of sleeping in the Treehouse or returning to their cabins to sleep that evening.

Please ensure that you are aware of any mental or physical health conditions the youth in your care have– these are also included in the registration forms. Bring any medications that your youth need with you to the CON. An incident report for any injury requiring medical care during the CON should be completed with the assistance of the Youth Program Manager.

A negative covid test result taken on site at check-in is required for entry for all CON participants (youth, PALs, advisors). All CON participants will be tested again on Saturday morning before breakfast. Please bring your own tests– we will have some available for purchase if you forget. Masks are optional. Keeping up to date with the latest covid vaccination is strongly encouraged. Any CON participant who tests positive for covid will be expected to return home immediately.

Before the CON:
Register each Advisor and Youth who will be attending the CON no later than two weeks prior to the CON

Submit an Advisor Participation Form signed by a congregational staff member verifying that all advisors have had background checks no later than two weeks prior to the CON
Consult the Youth CON Packing List 

Due at the CON:
Authorization for Medical Care and Travel Form for each youth you are accompanying to the CON

A copy front and back of the insurance card of each youth who has health insurance

How to Submit Forms

• Download the Form (PDF)
• Print the form
• Complete all the information
• Submit to The Mountain via email at youthcamp@themountainrlc.org

Have questions?
Need accessibility accommodations? Please contact Wally Graeber (he/him) at youthcamp@themountainrlc.org or call 828-526-5838.

The Mountain recognizes the importance of fostering and creating communities where everyone, especially children and youth, are protected. We are currently reviewing and revising our youth protection policy. Read The Mountain’s Youth Protection Policy from 2015