Conference Information & FAQs

 Registration FAQs 

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How often do the classes meet?

Unless otherwise stated, all classes on the schedule meet Monday through Friday for 50-minutes. One-time 50-minute submission-based Interest Sessions led by PAM members on 16 varied topics will be held Monday-Thursday at 10am and 4:30pm.

 

Am I required to register for a class for each hour of the day?

Absolutely not! Depending on the type of person you are, you may want to register for 7 hours of classes each day, but remember, this conference is 5 days long. Our prayer for you is to be refreshed and renewed when you return home, not exhausted. So please do what is best for you to ensure you have a full, but Sabbath-full week at Montreat. We find most registrants average 5 hours of classes daily.

 

Are adults required to attend both daily adult choir rehearsals?

If you plan to sing in the Adult Choir, yes. If not, no.

 

Are there required classes for children and youth?

Yes! All required classes will conclude by 3:20 pm daily.

• Senior High - Sr. High Choir and Small Groups. This age may also choose up to 4 electives.

• Middler - Middler Choir and Small Groups. This age may also choose up to 4 electives.

• Children –Choir, Bible Study, Drama, and Fun and Games. Children will be assigned classes by the Conference Administrator. The team will work to keep children from the same family, church, youth group, etc. together throughout the day. Groups larger than 8 may be placed into two groups. This age may also choose to participate in Meet the King of Instruments or Beginning Ukulele at 3:30 pm.

 

Do I need to register for instrumental ensembles?

No. But, when you register, please indicate that you plan to participate in the ensembles. During conference check-in, you will need to meet with the Instrumental Ensembles Director, Mark Britt, to determine your ensemble placement. Mark will work with you and the needs of the conference to ensure you are placed with the appropriate group. Music is provided!

 

Do I need to register for the Adult or Senior High Chamber Choir or Auditioned Advanced Handbells?

No, these are audition-based ensembles. The directors will host auditions during on-site check-in. Results will be posted by 6 am on Monday. If you are selected for Adult or Senior High Chamber Choir, you will attend those rehearsals twice daily (8 am & 4:30 pm for Adult and 8 am & 1:30 pm for Senior High), rather than the classes for which you originally registered. If you are selected for Auditioned Advanced Handbells, you will attend rehearsal (9am daily), rather than the class for which you originally registered. Music for these ensembles must be purchased on-site at Beethoven & Company (chamber choirs) and Jeffers Handbell Supply (handbells) prior to the first rehearsal on Monday morning. 

 

NOTE: If you are 18-20 years of age, you are invited to audition for the Senior High Chamber Choir OR the Adult Chamber Choir, but not both.

 

May I register for more than one handbell class?

To ensure all conferees may register for a handbell class, all registrants are limited to two classes. However, during on-site check-in you may register for available slots in any of the handbell classes.

 

My child, spouse, etc. does not have an email address. How can I register this person?

Children, Middlers, Senior Highs, Chaperones, and Supporting Adults (church group drivers, cooks, etc.) registering in a family or with a church group do NOT require an email address as long as they are being registered by a group leader with an email address. All Adult participants registering individually must have a unique, valid email address to register for the conference.

 

How do I register a group from my church? Can I add registrants to my group after I’ve already registered?

Check back in December for step-by-step instructions for registering your group.

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Do I need to register “extra” adults that I bring with our group to the conference? (ie, cooks, drivers, etc.)

You have the option to register extra adults – adults who come with a group solely to function as cooks, drivers, etc. – as a Supporting Adult (church group drivers, cooks, etc.) during the registration process. The cost for a Supporting Adult (church group drivers, cooks, etc.) is $50.

 

When coordinating your group, keep in mind that PAM requires a 1:6 adult to child/youth ratio in all its conference offerings. To ensure the safety of all children and youth, groups are required to register one chaperone for every six children they register.

Chaperones will have the opportunity to register for a specific age group: Children, Middler, or Senior High. Children’s chaperones will choose to attend morning or afternoon classes. Middler and Senior High chaperones will choose to chaperone two classes, one evening event, and they will be assigned a small group. Registered Chaperones are expected to fully participate in the classes or events they sign up to chaperone.

 

Are there options for children who are not old enough to participate in the Worship & Music Conference?

Children younger than completed 3rd graders may not register for the conference. However, Montreat's regular daytime childcare and recreation programs - Montreat Clubs - are available by pre-registration for children ages six months through high school. Childcare and Clubs fees are payable to Montreat Conference Center. Evening childcare is available at an additional charge. Registration is required for childcare, and space is limited. You must register at least 30 days in advance of the conference to guarantee enrollment in the program. To register for childcare, go to montreat.org/search/clubs. or call 828-419-9837 after March 1st.

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 Chaperone FAQs 

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How many Adults must I register as Chaperones?

If your church is bringing a group of youth/children, you must register one chaperone for every six children/youth registered. Chaperones must be 21 years of age or older. The church registering the chaperone(s) assumes all responsibility for the behavior and actions of that chaperone. Churches are responsible for conducting appropriate background checks on individuals serving as chaperones. PAM will not be held responsible for the actions or inactions of chaperones.

 

Do I need to register “extra” adults that I bring with our group to the conference? (ie, cooks, drivers, etc.)

You have the option to register extra adults – adults who come with a group solely to function as cooks, drivers, etc. – as a Supporting Adult (church group drivers, cooks, etc.) during the registration process. The cost for a Supporting Adult (church group drivers, cooks, etc.) is $50.

 

When coordinating your group, keep in mind that PAM requires a 1:6 adult to child/youth ratio in all its conference offerings. To ensure the safety of all children and youth, groups are required to register one chaperone for every six children they register.

 

During registration, will Chaperones need to select classes?

Yes, Chaperones will have the opportunity to register for a specific age group: Children, Middler, or Senior High. Children’s chaperones will choose to attend morning or afternoon classes. Middler and Senior High chaperones will choose to chaperone morning or afternoon classes, one evening event, and will be assigned a small group. Registered Chaperones are expected to fully participate in the classes or events they select to chaperone.

 

Will Chaperones of Middlers and Senior Highs be in a small group with youth from their church group?

Youth are intentionally assigned to small groups so that there are not two individuals from each back-home group in the same small group. Therefore, it is likely that Chaperones will be assigned to a small group with some youth from their church group, but not all. We ask that you trust the process of small group placement - it works! Year after year, strangers on Monday morning have become life-long friends by week’s end. There will be no fewer than 3-4 adults in each small group. All Small Group Leaders have undergone background checks.

 

Will Chaperones of Middlers and Senior Highs be in classes with youth from their church group?

It is likely that Chaperones will chaperone classes with youth from their church group. Because Chaperones are able to select which classes they would like to chaperone, it depends on whether or not there are youth from the chaperone’s church group attending the same class.

 

Will there be a training for Chaperones?

Yes, there will be a Zoom meeting in early June for all registered Chaperones to learn more about the expectations and schedules. 

 

May I sit in on additional children/youth classes?

Of course! As a registered Chaperone, you are welcome to chaperone in more than the classes you are assigned to chaperone.

 

What if I am bringing my own children, grandchildren, etc. and do not meet the 1:6 ratio?

You are not required to provide a chaperone. However, you are responsible for getting your children/youth to/from classes throughout the day.

 

What if I am bringing a church group made up of adults, youth, and children conference participants? Do I have to bring more adults to serve as Chaperones?

PAM requires a 1:6 adult to child/youth ratio in all its conference offerings. To ensure the safety of all children and youth, groups are required to register one Chaperone for every six children they register. These chaperones will go to classes and activities with the children and youth.

 

May Chaperones serve as Small Group Leaders?

Yes! Small Group Leaders (SGLs) provide critical guidance to the Middler and Senior High small groups at the conference. SGLs receive a FREE Chaperone registration and one discounted child or youth conference registration, but they also expend lots of time and energy. The required Zoom SGL training will be held in June prior to the start of the conference. You are expected to serve as a Chaperone in addition to your SGL duties. Apply to be a Small Group Leader here.

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 Small Group FAQs 

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Why small groups?

Youth attend the Worship & Music Conferences with their choirs, their youth groups, their churches, their families, and so on. Some youth may know many youth from their own church, while other youth may know very few. The idea for Small Groups is to provide an opportunity to make new friends and form better relationships among all youth.

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How does it work?

Youth will be placed in small groups with no more than 25 youth per small group.

Middler and Senior High registrants will have separate small groups. Small groups will explore fellowship, Scripture study, discussion, and creativity.

 

Who will lead the small groups?

Each small group will be led by one Small Group Leader (SGL). Small Group Leaders are 21 years of age or older. Selected Small Group Leaders will receive a free registration.

Small Group Leaders must:

• Attend Zoom SGL training  in June prior to the start of the conference

• Attend daily conference worship

• Pass a background and reference check

• Attend daily SGL meetings Monday-Thursday

• Lead two daily small groups (one Middler and one Senior High) 

Chaperones are required to attend small group as part of their chaperone duties. They will assist SGLs with discussions and activities.

 

How do I apply to serve as an SGL?

You may apply by filling out the form here. In gratitude for your time and talents, PAM will waive the Chaperone registration fee and provide one discounted child or youth conference registration. You are still expected to serve as a Chaperone in addition to your SGL duties.

 

Will there be required background checks on SGLs?

Yes, all SGLs are required to undergo a background check and reference check.

 

Will materials be provided to SGLs to lead the small group discussions and activities?

Yes, small group materials for middler and senior high small groups will be coordinated by the Small Group Facilitator, who will also assemble the small groups, communicate with the SGLs, and lead daily SGL meetings. The small group manual will be distributed via email to SGLs no later than May 15th. SGLs will be responsible for printing copies of the manual for themselves or providing an appropriate device (for instance, a tablet) from which they can lead a small group.

 

Will SGLs receive training prior to the start of the conference?

Yes, the Zoom SGL training will be in June prior to the start of the conference. There will also be daily SGL meetings Monday-Thursday.