Massanetta Springs Middle School Conference is a transformational program that welcomes hundreds of middlers and their leaders from all over the country each summer. Participants attend keynotes, recreation, workshops, and worship designed by the Advocates (high school leaders) with them in mind. Encounter Groups provide an opportunity to reflect and learn alongside youth from other places, led by Advocates.
—2024 Dates—
Session 1: June 20-23, 2024
Session 2: June 25-28, 2024
Session 3: July 11-14, 2024
Session 4: July 16-19, 2024
Conference arrival is 1:30-3:30 on the first day,
and concludes with worship on the final day, usually ending around 11:30.
Registration deadline is two weeks before the conference starts
in order for our Program Team to finalize details.
Questions about registrations?
Please contact Sarah Grace Hall, Reservations Manager,
if you have any questions about the process: sarahgraceh@massanettasprings.org
Questions about the program itself?
Contact Colleen Earp, Program Director:
540-434-3829 or colleen@massanettasprings.org
Our 2024 theme is “Keep calm and rejoice! The Lord is near.” based on Philippians 4:4-7. The planning team got excited about themes of joy, personal peace, and prayer. The planning team consists of June and July Co-Directors, Tech Directors, Lead Advocates, and the Program Director. We can’t wait to welcome you in summer 2024!
Massanetta Middle School Conference is an active, participatory event with worship, keynote, small group discussions, workshops, and recreation throughout our time together.
Conference registration costs
$444 for Richardson or Cottage housing (suite-style, bathrooms in room or building, linens provided)
$384 for Cabins (rustic camp-style, separate bathhouse, must bring your own linens)
$40 discount per person for all individuals fully registered by Monday 4/15/24—fully registered means all forms have been filled out and full payment is made for the group.
Some scholarships are available. To request scholarship funds, contact Colleen Earp, Program Director, at colleen@massanettasprings.org.
Arrival and Departure
Groups should arrive between 1:30-3:30 on the first day. The conference concludes with worship with communion on the last day, usually ending about 11:30.
Housing
Cabins: do not include linens. Bring your own sheets/sleeping bags, pillows, and towels!
Our rustic cabins are more cost-efficient and provide more of a summer camp experience.
Richardson/suite-style: two rooms with 2-3 twin beds and a shared bathroom. Adults and youth do not share suites unless members of the same household desire to do so. Suites include linens.
Cottages: in some cases during particularly large sessions, we utilize cottages for larger youth groups. We will contact your group before finalizing this housing option. Cottages include linens.
Packing List
Bible
Toiletries
Sunscreen
Water bottle
Raincoat/umbrella
Alarm clock/watch
Prescription medications
Jacket/sweater/sweatshirt for evenings
Swimsuit, t-shirt, shorts, and towel for slip-n-slide
Clothing for being active in warm weather (like t-shirts and shorts)*
Sturdy/comfortable shoes or sandals (flip flops may only be worn poolside)
There will be a monetary offering collected at closing worship to be used for MSC scholarships for next year. There is also a gift shop with snacks and Massanetta swag.
Do not bring: skateboards, scooters, rollerblades; alcohol, tobacco, or drugs; weapons of any kind; anything flammable or explosive; unnecessary technology or valuables.
*Dress code: pack comfortable clothing that will allow you to participate fully in a fun conference! Summertime at Massanetta Springs is hot and humid, and we’ll be active. Please DO NOT bring clothes that run the risk of “wardrobe malfunction” or exposing any underwear. Make respectful choices about logos and symbols on clothing. Conference leadership as well as your own church leaders reserve the right to send participants back to their rooms to change if their clothing will prevent them from actively participating in the conference.
Typical Day
7:45-8:30 Breakfast
9:00-10:15 Energizers, Music, & Keynote
10:15-11:00 Encounter Groups & Travel Time
11:00-12:00 Workshops
12:00-12:45 Lunch
1:15-3:00 Recreation Event
3:00-5:00 Free Time (usually pool or canoes available)
5:00-5:45 Dinner
6:00-7:15 Energizers, Music, & Keynote
7:15-7:45 Encounter Groups & Travel Time
7:45-8:45 Workshops
8:50-9:50 Dance/evening recreation
10:00-10:30 Candlelight Vespers
10:45-11:00 Back Home Group Time
11:30 Lights Out
Frequently asked questions
What grades are included in “middle school”? Because middle school varies, as do the needs and configurations of every congregation and youth program, we try to be flexible about this. In general, we design the program for students who will be rising 6th, 7th, and 8th graders when the conference happens.
Will a youth with special needs be able to attend? We have worked with youth groups and families to support individuals with autism, anxiety, mobility and other accessibility needs. This program might not be the right fit for everyone, but we’d be glad to talk through potential challenges and solutions! Contact the Program Director, Colleen Earp, with questions: colleen@massanettasprings.org or 540-434-3829.
What does the registration fee include? All programming, housing, meals (from dinner on the first day through breakfast on the last day), and conference t-shirts are included in the registration fee.
How many adult chaperones does my group need to include? You will need ONE adult advisor (21 years+) for every SEVEN youth you bring of each gender. Adult advisors are expected to fully participate in the conference.
How does registration and housing work for non-binary and transgender participants? Massanetta Springs is a place for all people! Our Campwise registration system will force a binary option under “gender”, but then allow non-binary as an option under “sex”. While that’s not a perfect system, we trust people to know their gender, and will contact individual families and youth leaders to discuss housing options that best suit our non-binary participants. Colleen is happy to answer any questions about this—give her a call at 540-434-3829.
What is Massanetta’s refund policy? Groups that cancel before May 15 will receive a full refund less a 3% processing fee. After May 15 will receive a 50% refund up until 10 days prior to the start of your session start date. Generally, there are no refunds for cancellations within 10 days of the conference start date.
Do you offer scholarships? Yes. At each Middle School Conference, an offering is collected at closing worship to support a scholarship fund for participants the following summer. To request a scholarship for a participant, the group leader should contact the Program Director (colleen@massanettasprings.org). We will ask for a name because a discount needs to be applied to an individual registration; no other information is needed. We will award scholarships as we are able until funds are exhausted for the year.
Registration Process
Please follow the instructions below CAREFULLY.
ONLINE REGISTRATION
Step 1: Your church/group leader must fill out this form with general group information and estimated numbers to reserve spaces for your group. We will then generate a “group hold code” and send it to your leader. If you have questions, please call 540-434-3829 to speak to our registrar.
Step 2: Once your church/group leader has the “group hold code,” they will distribute it to your group. Parents/guardians will be able to register their youth (completed 5th - 8th) and adult advisors will be able to register themselves using that “group hold code.” They will not pay individually online. The church/group leader will pay for everyone registered at once through the separate leader account.
Step 3: For church/group leaders only. Leaders will be able to log into their separate account to view who has registered and the remaining bill for the group. This is where the full group payment will be made.
Step 4: Your church/group leader will receive an information packet. It is also linked below. The church/group leader and all adult participants and parents should read this information packet in FULL. It contains critical information about the conference and registration.
2024 Cost per person
Standard Lodging (Richardson & Cottages): $444 per person
Cabins: $384 per person
After April 15, 2024 the cost of the conference will increase by $40.
SCholarships
To request a scholarship for a participant, the group leader should contact the Program Director (colleen@massanettasprings.org). We will ask for a name because a discount needs to be applied to an individual registration; no other information is needed. We will award scholarships as we are able until funds are exhausted for the year.
FOR STUDENTS FINISHING 5-7 GRADES
GOT A NETTA DAY CAMP GRADUATE, OR A TEENAGER WHO DOESN’T HAVE A REGULAR YOUTH GROUP TO JOIN?
For Netta Day Camp graduates and other middlers without a youth group: join us for Massanetta's Middle School Conference, July 15-19. Our NDC counselors will accompany campers through keynotes, recreation, workshops, and worship designed by the Advocates (high school leaders) with them in mind. Encounter Groups provide an opportunity to reflect and learn alongside youth from other places, led by Advocates. Middle School Conference is a transformational program that welcomes hundreds of middlers and their leaders from all over the country each summer.
This five day, four night program is $559, including all programs and a t-shirt. Sign up before 4/17 to receive a $40 early bird discount.
Group size is limited! Register today.
DETAILS
Schedule: Overnight program, Monday morning-Friday Afternoon, July 15-19
Cost: $559
Includes overnight Massanetta Springs Housing and meals during the program
Each year Massanetta Springs invites up to 44 leadership-minded high school youth, called Advocates, to serve and lead within the Middle School Conferences. This dynamic program provides a place where youth can lead alongside adults as mentors, facilitators, encouragers, and older siblings in faith.
Current 10th, 11th, and 12th graders are eligible. The application involves a few short-answer questions as well as references (two supportive adults from outside of your family, at least one of whom you know from church like a pastor, youth leader, or Sunday school teacher).
Applications will be accepted until all positions are filled. Questions? Please reach out to Colleen Earp, Program Director: colleen@massanettasprings.org.
Ann Elyse Hicks
June Co-Director
Marion, VA
Peyton Jenkins
June Co-Director
Newbern, NC
Keynote: Rev. Erin Counihan (she/her)
Erin serves as Pastor at Church of the Pilgrims in Washington, DC where she gets to be church with a bunch of folks who love to worship, serve, play, and wonder together. Erin is pretty passionate about working with her community to seek justice, collaborating to dream up creative worship experiences, and gathering to eat cheetos and engage in general silliness and joy with all kinds of folks. Erin's actually not great at "keeping calm" but looks forward to exploring what that means with a whole lot of middle school students and high school leaders this summer!
Music: Rev. Casey Carbone (he/him)
is the Director for Congregational Connection in Hudson River Presbytery. He has a deep love for the various music genres in the church. Whether it is classic hymns re-envisioned anew, more contemporary pieces, or "secular" music with sacred themes, Casey enjoys finding ways to introduce new songs in worship.
Recreation: Genevieve Brooks (she/her)
is the Director of Youth Ministry at White Memorial Presbyterian Church in Raleigh, North Carolina. She is on a mission to make every Sunday a fun-day and infuse youth programs with joy! Before joining the youth staff at White Memorial in 2016, Genevieve worked at a United Methodist Church in Raleigh after serving as a summer camp coordinator at Camp Don Lee. Genevieve has a passion for recreation and Massanetta Middle School Conferences! When she's not busy leading the charge on Sunday nights, Genevieve loves to sip on coffee, sail the open seas with her husband, Alex, and dance to the Bluey theme song with her toddlers.
Jonathan Moelker
July Co-Director
Roanoke, VA
Cortney Morgan
July Co-Director
Durham, NC
Keynote: Anne Galliher (she/her)
Anne Galliher serves as Associate Pastor for Small Groups and Young Adults at White Memorial Presbyterian Church in Raleigh, NC. She was born and raised in Statesville, NC and attended Appalachian State University and Candler School of Theology. She is married to her high school sweetheart Aaron. Anne is happiest when outdoors or busy in the kitchen, gathering friends around a crowded table. She loves hot yoga, iced coffee, and good books.
Music: Kim Mendoza (she/her)
Kim (she/her) is finishing up her pastoral residency at First Presbyterian Church in Libertyville, IL. She believes everyone has a song in their heart to share and hopes to help create space for those songs to be shared (whether it’s through singing, dancing, or both)! Her favorite things include In-n-Out, cheering on the LA Lakers & LV Aces, an early morning, the song “September” by Earth, Wind, and Fired, and seeing the gifts of the Church grow and work together.
Recreation: Erin Rugh (she/her)
Erin is the associate pastor for youth and college ministries at Faith Presbyterian Church in Tallahassee, FL. She believes that the church has a unique and special opportunity to be a space of radical belonging - the kind of place that is hard to come by - and is excited to help create that space through play at Massanetta this summer. She loves mountain views, good books, lattes, and the "ooh, ahh" part of the "Firework" energizer.
communion bread recipe
We share a common loaf for communion that is gluten free, nut free, soy free, and vegan (but the mix sometimes comes made with honey). Below is a link to the bread mix we use (we do not receive compensation for sharing this link!) as well as the recipe. We make a batch for every 100 people or so. The recipe below is shared by Union Presbyterian Seminary and Ginter Park Presbyterian Church in Richmond, Virginia, where our Program Director attended seminary and church!
From the Pamela’s website
Ingredients
Sorghum Flour, Tapioca Flour, White Rice Flour, Sweet Rice Flour, Brown Rice Flour, Evaporated Cane Sugar, Inulin, Millet Flour, Honey, Rice Bran, Sea Salt, Xanthan Gum, Yeast Packet (active dry yeast).
Pamela's Products are manufactured in a Gluten-Free Certified Facility and peanut-free facility. Our products are produced on equipment that processes Tree Nuts, Coconut, Eggs, Soy, and Milk.
June resources
Theme Song by Rev. Casey Carbone
List of songs used in theme and worship
All June resources (theme, worship, workshops, etc)