The Mountain Retreat & Learning Center, Inc

Farm Event: Forage and Feast
2025-09-12 13:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York)
Come roam the edges of the mountain meadow and old growth forest for delicious, nutritious wild plants and mushrooms. Here we will learn the skills to identify and sustainably forage these wild foods. We will learn of the traditional uses and legends behind these natives. Then join us at a table outside on the farm and allow us to prepare these nutritional powerhouse foods for you. During this demonstration you will establish proper preparation and cooking techniques and will even leave with a few recipes. Taste, discover, connect and be with nature.

BYOB possible
Learn to identify wild edibles and their toxic lookalikes
Learn to sustainability forage and harvest wild edibles
Learn traditional uses
Learn Appalachian legends and lore
Learn how to prepare your harvest
Learn traditional and modern cooking techniques
Leave with nutritional wild recipes

Rain Policy
All of our events have indoor rain plans as backups in case of adverse weather. Please dress accordingly and bring rain gear if the forecast looks to be really wet!
Refund Policy
If you must cancel your reservation to one of our events then please let us know, at the latest, 48 hours before the scheduled time. If an unexpected emergency occurs then please let us know ASAP by emailing farm@themountainrlc.org. For both options, we can offer you the opportunity to attend a future event.

Farm Event: Wild Foraged - Oxymels & Elixirs
2025-09-19 13:00 - 16:00
Have you ever wondered how natural remedies are made? Oxymels and Elixirs are long embedded in our history. Come learn how to sustainably harvest and process natural herbs that you could be medicinally using right now from your own backyard. Learn to treat common colds and seasonal allergies without harmful drugs from the pharmacy. Hear the stories, legends and lore our elders used to tell us of these native plants and most of all take your health into your own hands.
Here we will learn to identify and ethically wildcraft medicinal plants and herbs into healing oxymels and elixirs to boost your immune system and naturally care for your family.

Learn what oxymel and elixirs are
Learn their traditional uses
Learn to identify and forage wild medicinal herbs
Learn to use ingredients from you own refrigerator
Learn to make your own customized product to care for you and your family such as elderberry tonic and fire cider

Rain Policy
All of our events have indoor rain plans as backups in case of adverse weather. Please dress accordingly and bring rain gear if the forecast looks to be really wet!
Refund Policy
If you must cancel your reservation to one of our events then please let us know, at the latest, 48 hours before the scheduled time. If an unexpected emergency occurs then please let us know ASAP by emailing farm@themountainrlc.org. For both options, we can offer you the opportunity to attend a future event.

Joy on The Mountain Top - Co-Creators a Delightful Expedition
2025-10-05 - 2025-10-10
Learn More and Register
Come to the mountain and JOYN us in a deep dive into JOY! We will enter our deep dive through experiential processes on a co-creative expedition to a mountain experience of pure JOY!
​We will climb our metaphorical mountain from the beautiful 4,200-foot mountain top in Highlands North Carolina, October 5-10, 2025. The falls colors will brighten our collective imaginations as we delight in exploring JOY together individually and collectively.
​As Barbara Marx Hubbard taught, we are at a point of “breakdown before breakthrough”. Through the dramatic changes in ALL social and global systems-education, financial, climate, governmental, it can become very wearisome. Our JOY “meters” might even be running critically low as we navigate this historic time on our planet.
​We will explore together:
What is the birth of JOY and how can it be entered?
What is authentic JOY?
How can “the shadow” hide JOY and drain personal energy?
How can JOY be embodied more fully?
How can “play” open and reveal the magic of JOY?
During our Convergence, we will De-Light in living through this dynamic time together and support each other in co-creating the mystery and wonder that JOY is revealing through us out into our world.
JOYN the JOY-IN!
INTERESTED?
​DATES, DETAILS & DEALS: CCC Registration, Room and Board (vegan/vegetarian meals with gluten free options) All rooms have 2 single beds and private full bath; limited number of single rooms by special request (Contact Noel)
​CHECK-IN: After 3 PM on Sunday, October 5th
​CHECK-OUT: Friday, October 10th; out of rooms by 9:00 AM; off the grounds by Noon
​PLEASE NOTE: All registration payments accepted by Check, Venmo, or Zelle.
​MONETARY EXCHANGE:
BEST DEAL: (SAVE up to $250 on double room; $350 on single room)
Pay $950 (double occupancy) or $1,300 (single occupancy) by AUG 3
NEXT BEST DEAL: 2 payments:
Double Occupancy: $550 due AUG 3, and $550 due AUG 15
Single Occupancy: $750 due AUG 3 and $750 due AUG 15
PAYMENT PLAN:
Double Occupancy: 3 payments of $400 due AUG 3, AUG 15 and SEP 15
Single Occupancy: 3 payments of $550 due AUG 3, AUG 15 and SEP 15
CANCELLATION POLICY (based on The Mountain policy):
Before AUG 1: Full refund minus $35 administration fee.
AUG 1 through AUG 31: Refund payment(s) minus $250 administration fee.
SEP 1 through OCT 5TH: Refund payment(s) minus $500 administration fee.
NOTE: All funds are fully refundable if event is cancelled.
​​​EMAIL: cocreators@lightpartners.org
Noel Marshall ~ 920.312.0301
Learn More and Register

UU Franklin Day Retreat
2025-10-13
The UU Fellowship of Franklin is excited to return to The Mountain this October and share a day of fellowship with UUTC Brevard. Registration is $65/person and includes lunch, dinner, and use of Mountain facilities. Purchase tickets below to register. Please be sure to inform us of any dietary needs or food allergies in your party.

2025 NWUU Bi-Annual Retreat
2025-10-17 - 2025-10-19
Northwest Unitarian Universalist Congregation is excited to return to The Mountain for their bi-annual retreat!
Registration status: Now open!
Registration deadline: October 3, 2025
Adult Double Occupancy – $240/person
Adult Single Occupancy (limited availability) – $380/person
Adult Bunkhouse – $200/person
Adult Commuter (Staying off-site) – $120/person
Youth 12-17 – $140/person
Child 4-11 – $110/person
Toddler 0-3 – Free

Click here or go to The Mountain’s website and click on Registration Portal in the top right
Create an account (or login)
Complete your personal profile and a profile for each person in your party (if applicable)
Under “Program Classifications” select Church Retreats
Find your retreat and select your room option
Specify dietary needs, housing options and mobility needs
Specify roommate options. If this is left empty one will be assigned to you
Repeat this process for each member in your party.
Submit payment. Your spot is not secured until payment has been submitted.

Sacred Lomi
2025-10-20 - 2025-10-24
This Advanced Lomilomi Retreat with Sacred Lomi is designed to help Sacred Lomi practitioners deepen their practice, receive from other advanced practitioners and elevate their gifts as healers. The incredibly serene and uplifting energy of The Mountain Retreat, nestled in the majestic mountain forest of North Carolina, is an incredible place for transformation and life changing reflection. This once-a-year event is the only opportunity for students who have successfully completed our Home Study Course to attend one of our Advanced Lomilomi Retreats! For more information please visit: https://www.sacredlomi.com.

Three Awakenings
2025-10-27 - 2025-11-03
The three distinct paths of Inner Alchemy, Prayer, and Meditation can be found in various forms throughout the world’s mystical traditions. The Three Awakenings school brings these paths together in a way that is easier to practice and understand for aspirants that weren’t born or raised in the traditional religions and cultures associated with these methods.
This is a private retreat not open to the public.

Divine Embodiment
2025-11-20 - 2025-11-23
Divine Embodiment: Men Exploring the Connection between God and Eros
We come together not to define Divinity, but to embody it. Come as you are. Leave more fully who you are.
Click Here for More Information and Registration

The Mountain's Grateful Gathering
2025-11-26 - 2025-11-30
Grateful Gathering 2025 Schedule
Join us for a long weekend of acknowledging and celebrating the gratitude in our lives. Even through challenging times, there is much to be grateful for, be it friendships, family, community, opportunities for learning, The Mountain, and many other things in our lives.
The program includes workshops, entertainment, hiking, building connections with old and new friends, worship service, and outdoor adventures.
This is a great opportunity to invite family and friends to share time together, and no one has to cook or clean up after the holiday feast.
About The Grateful Gathering at The Mountain: An Intergenerational Program Thanksgiving Week
We are looking forward to gathering with people familiar with The Mountain, as well as welcoming new people to this special place.
In a spirit of gratitude, as we are immersed in our extraordinary natural environment, we will learn, discuss, and share ideas and life stories about our individual and group relationships with the Earth and one another.
The Mountain Retreat & Learning Center is an ecologically-conscious retreat and learning center located on 4,200 foot high granite cliffs on the Eastern Continental Divide in the Blue Ridge Mountains, surrounded by the Nantahala Forest. We offer a unique opportunity to learn about and enjoy the ecology and geology of the area. Perched on the Eastern edge of the Highlands Plateau, this temperate rainforest includes an Old Growth Oak Forest, one of the oldest in the U.S. Our four ecosystems, with the highest flora and fauna diversity (over 10,000 species) in North America, have nurtured multiple cultures including the Cherokee Nation.
We look forward to you joining us for this Grateful Gathering adventure.
Topics to consider in this gathering are personal and organizational values, gratitude felt and expressed, and learning more about our own and other cultures in relation to living our values.
Program for Children and Youth
All meals will be with families. Activities between meals will focus on environmental exploration, creative opportunities, and discussions about our world, the people, plants, and animals.
When
Wednesday, November 26 – 30, 2025
Registration: Now open!
Registration deadline: November 25, 2025 at 5pm
Reservations
Reservation Fee includes: Lodging, meals, use of assigned facilities
Make sure to reserve your spot early; participation is limited
4 night event (Wed-Sat nights)
Adult Double Occupancy: $480/person
Adult Single Occupancy: $740/person
Youth 12-17: $260/person
Child 4-11: $200/person
3 night event (Wed- Fri nights)
Adults Double Occupancy: 3-nights: $345 per person
Single Occupancy (Limited Availability): $555.00 /person
Youth 12-17: $195.00/person
Children 4-11: $150/person
Toddler 0-3: Free
2 night event (Wed-Thu nights)
Adult Double Occupancy: $230/person
Adult Single Occupancy: $370/person
Youth 12-17: $130/person
Children 4-11: $100/person
Toddler 0-3: Free
Thursday Commuter Rate
Includes Programming and Dinner
$50/person (Purchase a ticket by scrolling down this page!)
Click Here to Register for Overnights
Thursday Commuters ONLY: Purchase a ticket below!

The Calm Within: A Clarity of Mind Mahamudra Meditation Retreat
2025-12-05 - 2025-12-07
The Calm Within: A Clarity of Mind Mahamudra Meditation Retreat at The Mountain Retreat Center in Highlands, NC
Friday, December 5 – Sunday, December 7, 2025
Take a break from the busyness and excessive productivity of everyday life, and retreat into the clarity and calm deep within our own mind.
During this special weekend mountain retreat, attendees will be guided in meditations on the nature and clarity of our own mind. These sublime meditations are effective methods for improving concentration and counteracting negative mental habits that result in stress, anxiety and fear.
By training in these meditations, our mind becomes progressively more subtle and peaceful, causing us to experience a profound inner stillness and tranquility. Eventually, we will discover our own inner potential for lasting peace, happiness and true freedom.
These meditations are part of the Mahamudra tradition, the very essence of Buddha’s teachings. Gaining the slightest experience of these blessed instructions will revolutionize our life, transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary.
Sessions will be skillfully guided by the Resident Teachers of Southern Kadampa Centers. Sessions include a brief teaching, silent time for meditation and time for question and answer. All sessions are suitable for beginners and those with some experience of Kadampa Buddhism.
Everyone is welcome!
This regional retreat is organized by Kadampa meditation centers and branches in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi and the Florida Panhandle.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE
Friday
3:00-7:30p.m. | Check-in at The Mountain’s main office
6:00-7:15p.m. | Dinner
7:30-9:00p.m. | Introduction and Session 1
Saturday
8:00-8:45a.m. | Breakfast
9:00-10:15a.m. | Session 2
11:00a.m.-12:15p.m. | Session 3
12:30-1:45p.m. | Lunch
4:00-5:30p.m. | Session 4 and Q&A
6:00-7:00p.m. | Dinner
7:15-8:30p.m. | Session 5
Sunday
8:00-8:45a.m. | Breakfast
9:00-10:00a.m. | Session 6
11:00a.m.-12:30p.m. | Session 7 and Conclusion
RETREAT TEACHERS
Gen Kelsang Norbu was ordained in 2006 by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche, and was requested by him to be the Resident Teacher of KMC North Carolina. He earned the title ‘Gen’ in 2012, indicating that he is a senior ordained teacher in the New Kadampa Tradition of modern Buddhism. He is known for his loving and gentle nature and holds a very clear and sharp understanding of Buddha’s teachings.
Kelsang Dechok is a senior ordained teacher of Modern Buddhism. She has studied and taught in both the US and the UK for many years. She was ordained in 2006 by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche, and was requested to be the Resident Teacher of KMC Georgia in 2023. Whether it be through guided retreats or classes, her playfulness and sincerity allow students to see how the teachings can benefit them in their busy modern lives.
Gen Kelsang Tabkay has been a practitioner of Kadampa Buddhism and student of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso for 18 years. Ordained as a Buddhist monk in 2013, he is the Resident Teacher of KMC South Carolina and previously, KMC Phoenix. He has also guided many retreats at the International Kadampa Retreat Center Grand Canyon. He is known for giving accessible and practical teachings, dedicating himself to bringing peace into the hearts of others.
Kadam Sharon Lovich has been practicing meditation and Kadampa Buddhism since 2003 and is the Resident teacher of the Je Tsongkhapa Kadampa Buddhist Center in Asheville since 2017. She has engaged in numerous focused meditation retreats and is known for teaching others how to develop a peaceful mind with great skill, lightness, and humor.
Ethan Lechner has been a practitioner of Kadampa Buddhism since 2008. In that time, he has traveled throughout the world to receive teachings from Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso and the tradition’s most senior teachers. Ethan is appreciated for his warm, humorous, and relatable style of teaching Dharma.
ABOUT THIS RETREAT
What is a retreat?
In meditation retreat, we take a break from our normal busyness to gain experience of a particular meditation practice.
In a retreat, we have the opportunity to gain deeper concentration by letting go of our usual busyness, preoccupations and worries, to experience a spacious and life-enhancing perspective.
Even with poor concentration, we are generally more peaceful, relaxed, and happy on retreat than in our ordinary fast-paced, externalized lives.
Whether you’re a beginner or simply want to enjoy retreat in ideal conditions, every aspect of these retreats are structured to help you refresh your mind through meditation. During the breaks enjoy meaningful conversation and the beauty and tranquility of the North Carolina Highlands.
How to prepare
A wonderful way to prepare for this retreat is to read Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso’s text Mahamudra Tantra or The Oral Instructions of the Mahamudra.
Retreat Sessions
Sessions run between 60 and 75 minutes. The sessions combine practical instruction and time for meditation that will allow you to:

connect with an experience of true inner peace
develop basic techniques that can help you to create a consistent habit of meditation
leave with practical inner tools to apply what you have learned to your daily life

During the Breaks
Between retreat sessions take time to relax and carry your experience of peace, enjoy the tranquility of the grounds and connect and discuss with like-minded people.
Make it a Digital Detox Weekend
Are you feeling over-stimulated by the modern world and your phone is rarely out of your hand? Are you losing time to tech-based distraction? Is your phone draining you of energy to live with clarity and focus? Instead of sinking into habitual distraction, now is the time to take back control of our mind. Consider leaving your phone in your car and taking a break.
Morning Silence Practice
During this retreat we will be practicing silence in the morning, until after lunch. Silence is not just about not talking, it is about developing an inner quality of stillness.
In silence, we engage with the meditation object in a more intimate way. We start listening to the Dharma from deep within our heart which gives us a special inner experience of the teachings. Penetrating insights arise and since we are able to hold onto them with firm mindfulness we find Dharma experience pervades and nourishes our heart at a very deep level.

REGISTRATION DETAILS
Registration Deadline: November 23, 2025
Registration opens: August 11, 2025
Registration fee includes:

double or single room, or indoor camping bunkhouse
bed linens, towels and shower amenities
all program fees
vegetarian dinner on Friday
vegetarian breakfast, lunch and dinner on Saturday
vegetarian breakfast on Sunday
access to The Mountain grounds, facilities and hiking trails

Adult costs:
IMPORTANT: Expect simple, rustic accommodations, with basic amenities and a focus on nature. Contentment is an essential part of a successful meditation retreat. It will be cold, so please bring a space heater, additional blankets or sleeping bag, and anything that will help you be more comfortable.
Single Room (limited availability)
$490 per person
Single Occupancy rooms are now full. If you’re open to sharing a room, please register for Double Occupancy. If you will only attend the retreat with a private room, please sign up for the waitlist in Campwise. If you’re willing to sharing a room but want to be notified if a single opens up, please register for Double Occupancy and then email your private room request to james.williamson@themountainrlc.org. Extra private rooms, if available, will be assigned about 1-2 weeks before the retreat.
Double or Triple Room
$350 per person
If you don’t specify a roommate when you register, one will be assigned to you in the same gender.
Indoor Camping/Family Bunkhouse
$290 per adult
This is an indoor camping experience in a rustic cabin. Cabins have an indoor bathroom and shower and mini-split heating unit. Perfect for families!
Children and young adults:
Children may attend the retreat at a cost of $150 per child. We regret that children under 16 are not allowed in the main meditation room during sessions. A video link will be available in a comfortable quiet area reserved for families.
Anyone under the age of 16 must be accompanied by two (2) nominated responsible adult carers over the age of 18. Those who are aged 16 and 17 years must be accompanied by an adult over 18. You will be asked to provide the names of the carers/accompanying adult at the point of booking, and will be unable to complete the booking without it. This retreat is a public event and the care and safety of children and young adults remains at all times the responsibility of their parents/nominated carers/accompanying adult. For insurance purposes, NKT-IKBU and the Retreat Organizers cannot take responsibility for children and young adults. Children (of all ages) must be under adult supervision at all times.
How to register:

Go to The Mountain’s Portal
On the top right click on Registration Portal.
Create an account
Complete your personal profile
Under “Program Classifications” select OTHER RETREATS
Select your room option
Specify dietary needs, housing options and mobility needs
Specify roommate options. If this is left empty one will be assigned to you
Submit payment. Your spot is not secured until payment has been submitted.

Winter GSV Retreat
2026-01-16 - 2026-01-18
For our 2026 Winter Meditation gathering, we will address the challenge of keeping our joy while all around us we find chaos or confusion. Thus, the title of our 2026 Winter Meditation gathering: Keeping Our Joy (While the Dumpster Burns).
When: January 16 – 18, 2026
Registration: Now open!
Registration deadline: January 2, 2026
Gay Spirit Visions Website
Click Here to Register!

Spring PAL Planning Weekend
2026-01-30 - 2026-02-01
Spring PAL Planning Weekend
​Youth “CONs” are weekend-long events planned by youth with adult support for youth from third grade through high school. At heart, a youth CON is an experience in building a covenantal community and empowering youth leadership.
​Each con has a different theme and focus, but they all incorporate community building, fun, worship, and exploration of spirituality. Each event has its own covenant and is in covenant with The Mountain’s safety policies. Youth experience both the safety of being in a covenantal community and the responsibility to repair relationships when difficult situations arise.
Youth have the opportunity to serve in leadership roles to help plan events, help run events, help the con community live in covenant, or be peer chaplains for emotional support.
Thank you for your interest. We look forward to receiving your application and working together for the Spring CON season.
Peer Advocate Leaders (PAL) and Mentors (Age 16 & up) gather to plan the upcoming Youth CONference season at The Mountain Retreat and Learning Center. The focus of this weekend is to build a program for all ages that is aligned with our Unitarian Universalist values as a supplement to congregational Religious Education programs. Space is limited to 25 registrants for the weekend. Only register if you plan on attending one or more of the Youth Conferences during the season.
Fee
There is no fee for becoming a PAL or Mentors
Includes food and housing
When
January 30 – February 1, 2026
Check in begins at 7pm on Friday
Check out at 11am on Sunday
Registration: Coming soon!
Registration deadline: TBD

UU Emerson Choir Retreat
2026-02-06 - 2026-02-08
The annual retreat of the UU Church of Emerson’s choir. Registration is done through your group. Contact Kathy Mittelman for more information.

UU Columbia Work Week
2026-02-13 - 2026-02-22
Members of the UU Columbia church gather at The Mountain to help us open back up for the spring. All skill sets welcome. Build community while making a difference!

Spring Elementary CON
2026-02-20 - 2026-02-22
Youth Conventions or “CONs” are weekend long events planned by youth with adult support for youth from third grade to high school. At heart, a youth con is an experience in building covenantal community and empowering youth leadership.
Supported by the larger work of The Mountain, each con has a different theme and focus, but they all incorporate community building, fun, worship, and exploration of spirituality. Each event has its own covenant and is in covenant with The Mountain’s safety policies. Youth experience both the safety of being in a covenantal community and the responsibility to repair relationships when difficult situations arise.
Youth have the opportunity to serve in leadership roles to help plan events, help run events, help the CON community live in covenant, or be peer chaplains for emotional support.
When
PAL Training: January 30 – February 1, 2026
Elementary (3rd – 5th graders): February 20-22, 2026
Intermediate (6th – 8th graders): March 6-8, 2026
Senior High (9th – 12th graders): March 27-29, 2026
Registration opens: Now open!
Registration deadline: 2 weeks prior to CON start date.
If your youth coordinator has given you a transfer code number please enter the number at the payment portion of the registration process
In our registration system, select Youth CONferences
Fee
We’ve seen great success with the sliding scale fee for the Fall CONs and will continue the system into 2026. Please email youthcamp@themountainrlc.org with any questions or concerns regarding the fee.
Youth
Traditional Cost: $100/person (Covers part of the cost of the weekend)
True Cost: $215/person (Covers the whole cost of the weekend)
No Cost: Free
Advisor
Supporter 2: $100/person (Covers part of the cost of the weekend)
Supporter 1: $50/person (Covers part of the cost of the weekend)
No Cost: Free
Click Here to Register!

Spring Intermediate CON
2026-03-06 - 2026-03-08

Metro Atlanta Contemporary Quilters
2026-03-12 - 2026-03-15
Our guild started in 2010 as the Atlanta Modern Quilt Guild to offer a place for the more non-traditional and modern quilters to connect and create, and our meetings reflect this casual energy.
We rebranded as the Metro Atlanta Contemporary Quilters (MACQ) in 2022.
This is the annual retreat for the MACQ at The Mountain!
Registration
Retreat dates: March 12 – 15, 2026
Registration status: Now open!
Registration closes: February 26, 2026

Fees (not including 6.75% NC sales tax):
Includes meals, lodging and amenities for 3 nights!
Adult Double Occupancy (sharing a room): $405
Adult Single Occupancy (private): $615
Click here to register!
In our Registration Portal, check the box for “Other Retreats” and scroll for “2026 Metro Atlanta Contemporary Quilters” to find options.

TVUUC Annual Retreat
2026-03-13 - 2026-03-15
The annual Tennessee Valley UU Church retreat.
Registration
Registration status: Now online!
Registration deadline: February 27, 2026
Fees
Adult Double Occupancy: $240 per person
Adult Single Occupancy (limited availability): $380
Youth 12-17: $140 per person
Child 4-11: $110 per person
Toddler 0-3: Free
Click Here to Register

Spring 5Rhythms Dance Movement Retreat
2026-03-19 - 2026-03-22
HORIZON: This is the year to move forward on your dreams. What are you calling in?
2026 in Chinese astrology is the year of the Fire Horse and a 1 year in numerology, which means this is THE year when everything–your hopes & dreams for your life and the world–moves forward.
This is THE year to initiate a:
substantial creative project
new life direction
long-held but not acted on calling
small seed that needs tending
Whatever it is you wish to call forward, this is THE moment andTHE workshop where we do that work, together.
“There is an unseen life that DREAMS us. It knows our true direction and destiny.” ~~John O’Donohue
“DREAMS are a technology, a guidance system, an idea factory, a reality. ~~Jen Lemen
“One of the biggest things for the DREAMER to remember is that their body is a seer, a dowsing rod, an oracle.” ~~Daje Aloh
When we step out of our daily lives for a moment and into the dreamtime, we can access what our soul path wants us to know by listening to the guidance from our bodies and the nature-based intelligence around us. We feel into what is calling to us from deep within our longing. We conjure this desire forth and embody it so it begins to take a palpable shape, a wish that seductively says “hello you, I’m ready to be real.” But fair warning, this is often life-altering work that demands your presence, attention and nurturing to make happen.
This is the alchemical power of our dance practice in which we embody, enchant and ignite those desires so they are no longer ignored or delayed. The astrological weather of this year fully supports bringing them to life. The time is NOW to go after what you want and what the world needs from you that ONLY you can create.
“We can REDREAM this world and make the DREAM come real. Human beings are gods hidden from themselves. The only hope is in daring to REDREAM one’s place in the world–a beautiful act of IMAGINATION, and a sustained act of self-becoming.” ~~Ben Okri
“If we build dreams for ourselves they will be too small, it has to be for others.” ~~Billy Almon
“Really play with the idea of becoming unrecognisable a year from now. Play with the idea of being bolder. Softer. More confident. Supported. Known. Met. Free. Liberated. Get curious about what it means to shapeshift. Really allow yourself. ~~Daje Aloh
We do this dreaming together in a residential workshop, holding each other’s dreams as sacredly as we hold our own because often our dreams feel daunting. We need witnessing and support from the collective as fuel for our desires, and the community created at these workshops is a magic unto itself as lifelong friendships emerge.
“Dancing is an ancient form of magic, an act of creation. It brings about a new situation and summons into the dancer a new and higher personality. It has a cosmogonic function, in that it arouses dormant energies which may shape the world.” ~~Heinrich Zimmer
“When we give ourselves over completely to the dance, it becomes a prayer.” ~~Gabrielle Roth
You will be guided by the wisdom of the 5Rhythms map and by Julie Stuart, an accredited 5Rhythms teacher and skilled practitioner of the art of emergence.

We’ll be dancing at the top of a mountain in the southern Appalachians, the world’s oldest mountains, on ancestral Cherokee land and weaving our explorations with the land and the sentient beings who live there.

This workshop is for people who are new to 5Rhythms or who have danced the practice for decades. We welcome people of all cultures, colours, creeds, all genders and sexualities, all sizes, abilities and life stages. You don’t need to feel strong or energetic to join us. You can do this whole practice from a chair or the floor.
If you’re interested in contributing to a scholarship fund so that we can offer this workshop to folks who can’t self-fund, you can send money to Julie which will be passed along directly. Venmo: julie-stuart-12 and paypal: jnbstuart@gmail.com
I can’t wait to welcome you there. Please send me any questions or concerns you may have.
with so much love,
Julie
5Rhythms is a guided dance practice that powerfully catalyzes our body’s wild intelligence in a freely expressed movement meditation.
Schedule
Check in as early as 3 pm on Thursday, dinner is at 6 pm and we begin in the Treehouse at 7:30 pm. We conclude on Sunday at 11:30 am and have lunch, which is optional, at noon.
Registration
Status: Open now!
Deadline: March 5, 2026. After this, registration is not guaranteed.
Fees
You will be making TWO payments. One to Julie for the program fee and another to the Mountain for your lodging and meals.
Room & Board
Double Occupancy: $420 + tax
Single Occupancy (limited availability): $630 + tax
Bunkhouse: $360 + tax
Commuter: $210 + tax
Program Fee
Required, pay Julie directly via Zelle (preferred): julie@makingideasvisible.com
Paypal: julie@makingideasvisible.com
Venmo: @juliestuart-workshops
$415 regular
$295 5RTA
$260 crew (with approval)
Note: You can register now and full payment for Room and Board is not due until March 5 2026.
Click Here to Register!

Spring Senior High CON
2026-03-27 - 2026-03-29
Youth Conventions or “CONs” are weekend long events planned by youth with adult support for youth from third grade to high school. At heart, a youth con is an experience in building covenantal community and empowering youth leadership.
Supported by the larger work of The Mountain, each con has a different theme and focus, but they all incorporate community building, fun, worship, and exploration of spirituality. Each event has its own covenant and is in covenant with The Mountain’s safety policies. Youth experience both the safety of being in a covenantal community and the responsibility to repair relationships when difficult situations arise.
Youth have the opportunity to serve in leadership roles to help plan events, help run events, help the CON community live in covenant, or be peer chaplains for emotional support.
When
PAL Training: January 30 – February 1, 2026
Elementary (3rd – 5th graders): February 20-22, 2026
Intermediate (6th – 8th graders): March 6-8, 2026
Senior High (9th – 12th graders): March 27-29, 2026
Registration opens: Open now!
Registration deadline: 2 weeks prior to CON start date.
If your youth coordinator has given you a transfer code number please enter the number at the payment portion of the registration process
In our registration system, select Youth CONferences
Fee
We’ve seen great success with the sliding scale fee for the Fall CONs and will continue the system into 2026. Please email youthcamp@themountainrlc.org with any questions or concerns regarding the fee.
Youth
Traditional Cost: $100/person (Covers part of the cost of the weekend)
True Cost: $215/person (Covers the whole cost of the weekend)
No Cost: Free
Advisor
Supporter 2: $100/person (Covers part of the cost of the weekend)
Supporter 1: $50/person (Covers part of the cost of the weekend)
No Cost: Free
Please email youthcamp@themountainrlc.org with any questions or concerns regarding this new price structure.
Click Here to Register!

2026 Easter Volunteer Stewardship Weekend
2026-04-02 - 2026-04-05
About
Join our staff April 2 – 5, 2026 for our annual spring volunteer work weekend. This is a fun and gratifying weekend helping us get The Mountain ready for another season. This will help us get some much needed projects done and cleanup after a long winter.
There will be a wide variety of projects for all skillsets. We will be doing road and trail clearing, repairing of cabin decks, simple housekeeping, building some shelving/clothing racks for cabins, wood trim repairs etc. Or you can work in the kitchen to help feed us all! This is a great opportunity to meet new friends and learn new skills if you want. Plus, you get to spend time at The Mountain!
When
Dates: April 2 – 5, 2026
Registration deadline: March 26, 2026
Registration: Opening soon!
Registration
Each person must be registered.
Shared lodging will be provided at no charge to all who work 6 hours a day
Registration fee is to cover cost of food.

4 day / 3 night per person (ages 8-99) $75.00
3 day / 2 night per person (ages 8-99) $50.00
Children under age 8 FREE
1-Day Commuters (Saturday lunch) $10.00
2-Day Commuters (Sat & Sun lunch) $20.00
Click Here to Register!

SEUUMA Spring Retreat
2026-04-06 - 2026-04-09
The annual spring SEUUMA retreat!
Registration
Registration status: Now open!
Registration deadline: April 5, 2026
Fees
Adult Double Occupancy – $360
Adult Single Occupancy – $570
Youth 12-17 – $189
Children 4-11 – $148.50
Toddler 0-3 – Free!
Registration Instructions:

Go to The Mountain’s Portal
On the top right click on Registration Portal.
Create an account
Complete your personal profile
Under “Program Classifications” select CHURCH RETREATS
Select your room option
Specify dietary needs, housing options and mobility needs
Specify roommate options. If this is left empty one will be assigned to you
Submit payment. Your spot is not secured until payment has been submitted.

Click here to register!

2026 Zenergy: Opening to Life Retreat
2026-04-09 - 2026-04-12
Opening to Life: A Women’s Retreat
Opening to Life is a four-day mountain retreat for women ready to slow down, reconnect, and return to themselves. Led by Jenni Morris, this immersive experience blends gentle yoga, guided breathwork, nature walks, women’s circles, and deeply restorative evening practices. Set among sweeping mountain views and fresh air, the retreat offers space to step away from the pace of daily life and come home feeling clearer, calmer, and more connected to your inner vitality. Thoughtfully held and intentionally paced, Opening to Life invites women into rest, reflection, meaningful connection, and renewed aliveness.
Learn More and Register!

Spring Retreat: Rise Up Rooted, A Women's Retreat
2026-04-16 - 2026-04-19
As spring emerges, the creative potential of new beginnings and possibilities awakens within us. We will, as eons of women before us have done, intentionally align with the energies of spring to anchor deeply into ourselves. Together, we will unfurl from the stagnation of winter and rise up to embody the fullest expression of ourselves and create the foundation to bring our passions to fruition this year. As part of our journey together, we will reclaim and nurture parts of ourselves that have not been tended to or have been forgotten with the passage of time. It is a time to remember, reclaim, celebrate, and heal.
Within the sacred space of ceremony, you will be supported to release old patterns that have caused you to feel stuck. Through masterfully curated yoga, somatic, energy medicine, mindfulness, and nature practices, you will reclaim your center and restore flow to experience more abundant energy and vitality to thrive where you are planted.
As part of this experience, you will learn strategies for integrating the retreat experience into your everyday life for continued healing and transformation. To rise up rooted is a journey, and with this extended retreat, you will be taken through a journey of reclamation—which is the medicine of spring.
Click here to learn more and register.

Holy Trinity Parish Women's Retreat
2026-04-17 - 2026-04-19
The inaugural retreat for the Holy Trinity Parish Women’s Retreat!
When
Retreat dates: April 17 – 19, 2026
Registration status: Now open!
Registration deadline: April 3, 2026
Fee
Double Occupancy (sharing a room) – $270 per person
Single Occupancy (by yourself, with Ellen’s permission) – $410 person
How to Register

Go to The Mountain’s website
Click on Registration Portal in the top right
Create an account
Complete your personal profile and register for a retreat
Under “Program Classifications” select CHURCH RETREATS
Find and select your retreat
Specify dietary needs, housing options and mobility needs
Specify roommate options. If this is left empty one will be assigned to you
Submit payment. Your spot is not secured until payment has been submitted.

Farm Event: Earth Day Celebration
2026-04-18 13:00 - 16:00
Rain Policy
All of our events have indoor rain plans as backups in case of adverse weather. Please dress accordingly and bring rain gear if the forecast looks to be really wet!
Refund Policy
If you must cancel your reservation to one of our events then please let us know, at the latest, 48 hours before the scheduled time. If an unexpected emergency occurs then please let us know ASAP by emailing farm@themountainrlc.org. For both options, we can offer you the opportunity to attend a future event.

UUWomenspirit Spring 2026: Be Where Your Feet Are
2026-04-22 - 2026-04-26
UUWomenspirit Spring 2026: Be Where Your Feet Are
April 22 — April 26
This spring, we return to Little Scaly Mountain — a place of ancient stones, rushing water, and deep-rooted presence. Our theme, Be Where Your Feet Are, invites us to reconnect with the natural world, the Feminine Divine, and the grounding wisdom of the land.
What to expect:
· Workshops in poetry, sound healing, birding, creative arts, movement, and more
· A retreat aligned with Earth Day, honoring our relationship with the planet
· Sacred circle, community, laughter, reflection, and renewal
· Beautiful mountain vistas, forest paths, and quiet spaces for restoration
UUWomenspirit has gathered women in sacred circle since 1987, celebrating Earth-centered spirituality and the Feminine Divine. All women are warmly welcomed.
We can’t wait to greet you on the Mountain.
Click Here to Learn More and Register!

Farm Event: Nurture with Nature - Wild Foraged Herbal Salve Making
2026-04-25 13:00 - 16:00
Please join us for this hands-on workshop where you will learn to identify and sustainably forage your own herbs, learn to infuse and blend oils and combine them into a deeply nourishing, healing salve. Whether you are new to natural remedies or simply interested in self care, this is a skill you will be grateful for. You will even leave with a completed salve made by YOU and customized to the care you need.!

Learn to identify wild medicinal herbs and their uses
Learn to sustainably forage and harvest these herbs
Learn the steps needed to infuse oils at home
Learn the ingredients necessary
Customize your own nourishing salve

Rain Policy
All of our events have indoor rain plans as backups in case of adverse weather. Please dress accordingly and bring rain gear if the forecast looks to be really wet!
Refund Policy
If you must cancel your reservation to one of our events then please let us know, at the latest, 48 hours before the scheduled time. If an unexpected emergency occurs then please let us know ASAP by emailing farm@themountainrlc.org. For both options, we can offer you the opportunity to attend a future event.

2026 Chris Purcell's Celebration of Life
2026-04-27 00:00
Come to The Mountain to celebrate the life of Christopher Purcell with his family and friends.
Attend his memorial service on June 6th at noon in the field by the Craft Barn at the bottom of The Mountain, and lunch at 2pm in the dinning hall up at the top. Rain site will be in The Commons ( the room on the left side of the dining hall building) Come spend the rest of your time enjoying the place and people he loved. Christopher attended Mountain Camp for the first time in 1981, became a counselor, year round employee and much later returned for Act 2 as arts and crafts director.
Bring a favorite story to share, pictures, Christopher’s art/artifacts or just yourself!
*If you are only coming for the service and lunch, PLEASE RSVP to Jen Lucas, Chris’s wife, with your dietary restrictions and accessibility needs. Her email is : jenlucasuu@gmail.com *

Registration
Event Dates: June 5 – 7, 2026
Registration status: Open
Registration deadline:
Registration Instructions

The Highlands Retreat
2026-05-01 - 2026-05-03
The Highlands Retreat is an annual weekend-long gathering of the LGBTQIA+ community and their friends celebrating recovery and those interested in finding out what recovery has to offer.
The Retreat offers the perfect blend of workshops and activities as well as an opportunity to meet and fellowship with others in recovery from different parts of the country.
The Highlands Retreat Website
Registration
Retreat dates: May 1 – 3, 2026
Registration status: Now open!
Registration deadline: April 27, 2026 at 12pm
Fees
Double Occupancy: $270 + tax
Single Occupancy (limited availability): $410 + tax
Tent Camping/Commuting: $120 + tax
All participants must pay a REQUIRED $45 program fee.
Click Here to Register!
In our registration system, select “Other Retreats” then your “2026 The Highlands Retreat” package.
