Grow Your Faith at ENCOUNTER Youth and Adult Leader Retreats at Lake Junaluska
Experience a youth retreat in the mountains of Western North Carolina this winter with an ENCOUNTER Youth Retreat weekend. Enjoy God-filled moments, challenging activities, prayer time, new people, new ideas and fun.
We offer four weekends – three for youth and one for adult youth leaders. Our three youth weekends will focus on either missions, adventure (risk taking), or a United Methodist confirmation weekend. Our one adult-youth-leaders-only retreat will help you learn to navigate cultural shifts. ENCOUNTER weekend lodging, meals and programming for youth groups are $190/person for 2-night retreats (Based on 4 people to a room) and $290/person for 3-night retreats (Based on 4 people to a room). The only ENCOUNTER weekend with time built in for youth groups to add-on skiing or snowboarding at Cataloochee Ski Area is Jan. 24-26. The cost to add-on skiing during that program weekend is $110/person for one afternoon of skiing.
We offer these different program weekends so you can be inspired and grow closer to God and each other. We also offer Ski Lake Junaluska Winter Youth Retreat Packages for groups that want to plan their own retreats!
ENCOUNTER 2025: What is My Part?
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7
- ASK: Who is my Neighbor? Learn to reach out to those who don’t always fit in. Jan. 10-12, 2025
- SEEK: Encouragement and support for youth ministry leaders (Learn how current culture shapes youth ministry and the church.) Jan. 17-20, 2025
- KNOCK: Is Jesus for Real? (Does Jesus really want to know what I think about things?) Jan. 24-26, 2025
- ASK, SEEK, KNOCK: United Methodist Confirmation Retreat 2025 (Gifts and Prayer) Feb. 14-17, 2025
Lake Junaluska is committed to connecting youth to Christ through meaningful ministry, recreation and education. Learn more about our keynote speakers and featured retreat activities below!
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ASK: Who is My Neighbor?
Jan. 10-12, 2025
Keynote speaker the Rev. Joe Hamby, director of community outreach at Roof Above in Charlotte, will use stories of Jesus to speak to youth about people who didn’t always fit in.
You will experience local outreach groups, use the arts to express yourself, and leave the weekend with a plan to help individuals in your community. Register now or complete an interest form.
SEEK: Youth Leader Summit
Jan. 17-20
Keynote speaker Mark Oestreicher, founding partner of Youth Cartel, will speak about current culture and how it shapes youth ministry and the church. JaCynthia Bailey, founder of INTOUCH Ministry, will speak about creating diversity in youth groups and how to reach youth in the community through settings beyond the local church.
Western North Carolina Conference youth leaders will lead networking workshops on topics relating to youth culture and tools for outreach and spirituality. You will have the opportunity to create intentional Sabbath time on the last day of the conference. Registration opening soon. Register now or complete an interest form.
KNOCK: Is Jesus for Real?
Jan. 24-26, 2025
Keynote speaker the Rev. Luke Edwards, associate director of church development for the Western North Carolina Conference (Fresh Expressions), will challenge you to see “church” beyond the walls of your own building.
This session will create “safe spaces” for dialogue within small groups to name questions about faith and living today, and you will leave with a template to discern a strategy for when you return home. This session will offer opportunities for a day of skiing at Cataloochee Ski Area, rappelling at Asheville Treetops Adventure Park or to plan your own adventures. Register now or complete an interest form.
ASK, SEEK, KNOCK: United Methodist Confirmation Retreat 2025
Feb. 14-17, 2025
Speaker Tracy Radosevic, a national biblical storyteller, will use storytelling and Wesley’s Means of Grace as a way to help you engage in your own faith journey.
You will explore your gifts through music, painting, drumming, pottery and more and have time to focus on a prayer life, explore the Walking Trail or the Prayer Labyrinth and hike. Register now or complete an interest form.
Youth & Adult Leader Lodging
We offer several economy lodging options that are popular with youth groups at Lake Junaluska including Mountainview, Lake Junaluska Apartments and Hillside Lodge. All are close to Shackford Hall, York Dining Commons and Lake Junaluska’s recreation areas.
Youth & Adult Leader Dining
Our beautiful York Dining Commons, with its new flooring, gleaming buffet line, new chairs and other upgrades, make dining during youth retreats a wonderful time for fellowship, especially with the spacious deck overlooking the lake. The food is as good as the furnishings are great, thanks to our wonderful culinary team that makes every meal a satisfying experience.
Sample Schedule
FRIDAY
4-9 p.m. Check-in, Bethea Welcome Center (After 5 p.m., check in at the Terrace Hotel.)
7 p.m. | Shackford Hall Game Room Opens
8:30-10:30 p.m. | Opening Worship
11 p.m. | Quiet Hours
SATURDAY
7 a.m.-8:30 a.m. | Breakfast, York Dining Commons
9 a.m.-10:30 a.m. | Opening Worship and Keynote Speaker
10:45 a.m. | Small Group Options
12 p.m. | Lunch
1 p.m.-5:30 p.m. | Ski/Mission Work/Asheville Treetops/Free Time
5:30-7 p.m. | Dinner, York Dining Commons
7 p.m. | Shackford Auditorium Opens
7:30 p.m. | Program & Worship
11 p.m. | Quiet Hours
SUNDAY
7 a.m.-8:30 a.m. | Breakfast, York Dining Commons
9 a.m.-10:30 a.m. | Opening Worship and Keynote Speaker
10:45 a.m. | Small Group Options
12 p.m. | Lunch
1 p.m.-5:30 p.m. | Ski/Mission Work/Asheville Treetops/Free Time
5:30-7 p.m. | Dinner, York Dining Commons
7 p.m. | Shackford Auditorium Opens
7:30 p.m. | Program & Worship
11 p.m. | Quiet Hours
MONDAY
7-8:30 a.m. | Breakfast, York Dining Commons
11 a.m. | Check Out
- Expand WHAT ARE THE MISSION WORK PROJECTS? contentCollapse WHAT ARE THE MISSION WORK PROJECTS? contentWHAT ARE THE MISSION WORK PROJECTS?
Lake Junaluska will be partnering with local organizations to serve our neighbors here in Haywood and Jackson counties.
- Expand WHAT ARE YOUR COVID-19 HEALTH AND SAFETY PROTOCOLS? contentCollapse WHAT ARE YOUR COVID-19 HEALTH AND SAFETY PROTOCOLS? contentWHAT ARE YOUR COVID-19 HEALTH AND SAFETY PROTOCOLS?
Please see our current health and safety protocols for more information on how all of the Lake Junaluska staff is maintaining a high standard of sanitation in all Lake Junaluska facilities.
- Expand ARE SNOWBOARD RENTALS INCLUDED IN THE SKI PACKAGE? contentCollapse ARE SNOWBOARD RENTALS INCLUDED IN THE SKI PACKAGE? contentARE SNOWBOARD RENTALS INCLUDED IN THE SKI PACKAGE?
Yes, if you are attending the January 24-26 weekend. The ski package includes either a set of skis or a snowboard, fitted boots, and your lift ticket. Each person can choose whether they would like to ski or snowboard. Helmets can be rented for an additional fee.
- Expand DOES LAKE JUNALUSKA PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION TO CATALOOCHEE, MISSION SITES OR ANY OFF-SITE DESTINATION? contentCollapse DOES LAKE JUNALUSKA PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION TO CATALOOCHEE, MISSION SITES OR ANY OFF-SITE DESTINATION? contentDOES LAKE JUNALUSKA PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION TO CATALOOCHEE, MISSION SITES OR ANY OFF-SITE DESTINATION?
No. Groups are responsible for off-site transportation.
