Camp and something more.

This isn’t your typical youth trip. Gathering Expedition Camp brings together the best of overnight camp and the energy of a large-scale youth gathering — worship, inspiring speakers, real community, and the kind of adventures you only find in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Your youth will spend a week living in cabins with college-aged counselors, making friends across church traditions, and going deeper — in faith, in courage, and in themselves.

What a week looks like

Days are full: pool, archery, crafts, climbing, and an offsite tubing trip on a local mountain river. One afternoon is set aside for hands-on service in communities still recovering from Hurricane Helene — a chance to put faith into action alongside peers from across the region.

Evenings open up into something bigger — speakers, live music, and worship that feel closer to a festival than a church service. Afterward, campers choose their night: dance, movie, night swim.

Mornings begin with a short devotion before breakfast. The week’s theme is Beyond — exploring what it means to go beyond comfort, beyond expectation, and into a deeper, more active faith.

Who this is for

7th–12th graders from any Christian tradition who are ready for a week that’s more than a camp — and more than a conference. Youth groups are welcome. Individual campers are welcome.

Adult leaders attend too, with their own programming during the day and the option to join their youth at certain points throughout the week.

What’s included

Cabin lodging with private bathrooms, all meals (our kitchen accommodates food allergies), licensed nursing staff, medications management, and a full program from arrival to departure. We offer tiered pricing so cost doesn’t stand in the way of a great week, and additional scholarships are also available.