january 29-31, 2027
Registration will open in June 2026.
Whether your congregation has one confirmand or a large group,
we can all learn something from each other’s
church experience and faith journey!
This retreat is not intended to replace your own congregation’s curriculum
or practices for a confirmation class,
but to come alongside it and support what your students are learning.
We’ll focus on broader questions of why we join the Church, what we want our churches to be like,
and how we can actively engage in that work.
Participants will join mixed small groups to hear ideas from people from different congregations,
and also have time with their home group to continue with their own lessons and curricula.
The retreat is intended for whatever ages your congregation counts in their confirmation program,
and whatever stage of the confirmation process you’re in, recognizing churches do this differently all over.
scholarships available (contact colleen@massanettasprings.org)
Arrival Friday: 6:30-8:00 PM
Departure Sunday: after worship, by noon
Questions about the retreat?
Contact Colleen Earp, Program Director: colleen@massanettasprings.org
To be announced!
Massanetta’s Confirmation Retreat is designed to come alongside your congregation’s confirmation program. This is a time of fellowship and retreat, so plan to stay on site and enjoy fellowship, learning, and rest!
Every church does confirmation a little bit differently, so this retreat is intentionally planned to gather confirmation students together in meaningful ways while giving space for home church groups to continue their own work, whatever that looks like!
We anticipate most youth participants will be in 8th or 9th grade, but we welcome whoever is in your confirmation class and will adapt our small groups as best we can to match the age groups present. We typically group older students in their own small groups.
The program will include small groups made up of participants from different churches to discuss some of the similarities, differences, hopes, and dreams for our faith and our churches.
The schedule will include time for home church groups to meet and work on their own lessons and curriculum, statements of faith, or whatever they need to get done for their own confirmation!
Housing will be in Richardson, our dorm-style suites. Youth can expect to have one or two roommates and share a bathroom with two or three suitemates of the same gender. Adults will be housed nearby, and will share suites and possibly rooms with other adults of the same gender depending on registration numbers— what a wonderful opportunity to meet friends and colleagues in ministry! All linens provided.
Registration Process
HOW TO REGISTER
Registration will open in June 2026.
$175 per person, some scholarships available (contact Colleen at colleen@massanettasprings.org)
IMPORTANT DATES:
Monday, November 30, 2026: group holds expire, extra spots made available to wait list
Monday, January 18, 2027: final day to register
For questions about registration, contact Cherokee Adams, Registrar, at cherokee@massanettasprings.org or 540-434-3829.
PAYMENT DETAILS
A nonrefundable $25 deposit is due upon registration; 50% of the balance is due 60 days before the beginning of the program; the remaining balance is due by the start of the program.
INFORMATION ABOUT REFUNDS
Cancellations 60 days or more before the program begins will receive a refund, less the $25 non-refundable deposit per registration (and a 5% processing fee if a credit card was used for payment). Cancellations between 59 and 10 days of the start of the program will receive a 50% refund. Generally, there are no refunds for cancellations within 10 days of the program start date.
Scholarships are available thanks to a generous gift from the Jerry Smith Memorial Golf Tournament hosted by Hedgesville Presbyterian Church in West Virginia in May 2024.
Jerry Smith
Gerald Preston Smith, Jr. passed away peacefully in August 2023. Jerry was many things: a husband, father, and grandfather; an outdoorsman; a sports fan; a business owner; a beloved friend and neighbor.
Jerry was also an active, lifelong member of Frederick Presbyterian Church in Maryland. He served as a deacon and worship assistant, and took great joy in mentoring youth through confirmation and mission trips.
Jerry is survived by his devoted wife, Rev. Vanessa Smith of Hedgesville Presbyterian Church. In loving memory of his commitment to the youth of his congregation, Rev. Smith offered the proceeds of the May 2024 golf tournament to support scholarships for the Massanetta Springs Confirmation Retreat.
To request a scholarship, contact Rev. Colleen Earp, Program Director: colleen@massanettasprings.org.