don't call it a conference.
SERIOUSLY, THRIVEanooga is Not a conference.
It's a highly-relational and truly interactive event created by ministry leaders for ministry leaders. We took everything we love about conferences, and added more of that. We also threw away the stuff we didn't love and added what we thought was missing. The end result was a four day event unlike anything else you've ever been to.
We call that result "Thriveanooga",
and we think you're going to love it!
"Everything about Thriveanooga felt exactly right. The conflab model that allowed for real expertise to be engaged and shared was perfect. Not once did I find myself being talked at or unseen. This experience was intimate and wonderful."Carol Wiget (Birmingham, AL)
who is this for?
This version of Thriveanooga was created exclusively for people who work in Catholic campus ministry at the high school or middle school level...If you can emphatically answer yes to all the questions below, then you should join us for Thriveanooga Campus Ministry Edition!
- Are you employed by a high school or middle school?
This week has been specifically created for those awesome folks who work at high schools and middle schools. - Is campus ministry part of your job?
It's ok if campus ministry is not your full-time focus. As long as serving young people (middle school through high school) or supporting those who do falls under your job description: Thriveanooga was created for you. - Are you willing to think outside the box?
We're not looking to maintain, we're ready to dream big and innovate. If you're happy with the way things are, this is not the event for you. - Do you like people?
You will be spending a LOT of time with other people during this event. Introverts are welcome – but we want to make sure you know there is going to be way more group time than alone time. (Don't worry: you'll have time to decompress and escape when you need to.) - Do you work well with others?
This is not a "listen to experts talk at you all day" kind of event. This is a "roll up your sleeves and get to work" kind of thing. You'll be spending a lot of times in collaborative sessions and team-oriented workshops that will actually move the needle in your ministry. - Are you ready to be real?
If you're looking for a place filled with people who have everything figured out and haven't struggled in years – this ain't it. Thriveanooga is the place to come figure things out, which means you need to willing to be real and vulnerable about what's working (and not working) in your ministry (and maybe even your life). - Do you like fun?
We're going to get a LOT done during the day, but when evening rolls around it's all about fun, community, and competition. If you're looking for low-energy and boring, you're going to hate Thriveanooga. - Are you ready to finally play a game?
Ministry leaders are always looking for new games, but they never get to play them because they're always running them. Well not at Thriveanooga – you better be ready to lace up your kicks and put your game face on because we've got some awesome games ready for you! - Are you down with not knowing all the details?
We're not going to publish the event schedule – so if that will cause you too much stress to enjoy yourself, you might want to sit this one out.
an important conversation
A HOME FOR High School Campus Ministers
High school campus ministry is unique.
It's sort of like youth ministry, but in a Catholic school context.
It's similar to college campus ministry, but with high schoolers.
When we ask high school campus ministers, they explain that high school campus ministry is about building the Kingdom of God by sustaining and animating the faith life of high school students through retreats, liturgies and prayer, and service and justice. In addition, it includes the ministry of accompaniment, outreach to families, adult spiritual formation, and in some (arch)dioceses, Sacramental preparation.
But despite the importance and uniqueness of their ministry, high school campus ministry leaders have been without a formal home. There hasn't been a real community for them. And while there have been several efforts within national organizations to support those who work as Catholic high school theology teachers and campus ministers over the years, these efforts have always been an "add-on" to an existing organization – not a community built FOR high school campus ministers.
Thriveanooga Campus Ministry Edition was born out of conversation with high school campus ministers in search of a home. Because of that, one of the important conversations we'll be having at Thriveanooga is:
what does a national network for Catholic high school campus ministers look like?
registration
The full cost for thriveanooga Campus Ministry edition is $959 / person – but space is limited!
register by september 30th and save $100!
REGISTER NOW"Thriveanooga is a uniquely awesome week where ministry leaders can dream big together, collaborate on innovative ideas and solutions to challenges, and grow in faith and community together. You won't regret investing in this week for yourself and your ministry!"Tricia Borah(Atlanta, GA)
"Thriveanooga reinvigorated my heart for another year of ministry. It was so special to be surrounded by people that could TRULY relate to the hype and sorrows of ministry and everything in between. All Glory to God for this divine event!"Maria Haas(Des Moines, IA)
so what is it?
THRIVEanooga is COLLABORATIVE.
We're not bringing in big name speakers for this event, the biggest asset of Thriveanooga is you. Every person who comes has their own skills and experience, so we're going to leverage that for everyone's benefit.
Rather than keynotes and lectures, the day is filled with collaborative sessions we call conflabs. We'll work together to create action-oriented solutions to your real world ministry problems.
It's all about learning from and challenging each other.
THRIVEanooga is CREATIVE.
We are not looking for cookie cutter solutions, we're ready to push the envelope, challenge conventions, and dream up creative and innovative solutions. To make that possible, we've structured each day to give time and space for creative thinking and group brainstorming sessions.
THRIVEanooga is CROWDSOURCED.
Our team is not picking the topics to be covered at Thriveanooga, you are!
After you register, you'll get to suggest topics for conversation. Based on upvotes from all the registered attendees, we'll choose the most requested topics and build the content for the event around those.
THRIVEanooga is COMMUNITY ORiENTED.
More than anything else, Thriveanooga is about community. Especially after a year of being in the WORK of doing ministry, we know everyone is in desperate need for real, in-person community. We've built the schedule and intentionally chosen a place that will foster community.
We've built Thriveanooga to be intentionally small. It's far too easy to get lost in the sea of people at a big conference – that won't happen at Thriveanooga. By the end of the week, you'll know everyone's name.
We will be facilitating pre-event and post-event conversations inside of Thrive to make sure that community we build at Thriveanooga doesn't stay at Thriveanooga (though the stories might).
THRIVEanooga is COnstructive.
When you head home from Thriveanooga, you won't be leaving empty handed. Throughout the week, we will be building innovative solutions together. You'll be able to take back these solutions and implement them in your ministry right away and make real change (we're not just talking theory).
THRIVEanooga is CATHOLIC.
At ProjectYM, everything we do is rooted in our Catholic faith – Thriveanooga is no different. We'll have dedicated time to pray, worship, and celebrate the Sacraments together. We're honored to be joined throughout the event by various clergy and Catholic worship leaders.
"You know how the best part of a conference is the work that gets done in the real conversation over lunch, in the lobby, and at the hotel bar? Now imagine a whole conference with those conversations. That's Thriveanooga."Doug Ulasek(Milwaukee, WI)
a few more details
- Beautiful Lookout Mountain.
We'll stay, play, eat, and gather just south of downtown Chattanooga – on Lookout Mountain! - Three Night Stay Included.
When it comes to accommodations, we've got you covered! We'll be staying in a beautiful house just south of Chattanooga in Lookout Mountain, GA. - Meals Included.
Our team will take care of breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks galore – but we'll be going out for lunch on Thursday (not included). - Only $959/person.
We'll cover your lodging, your meals (except lunch on Thursday), supplies, snacks, and more. Register early for a big discount! - Intentionally Small.
This is NOT a conference. We're creating a different type of event, and we're keeping it small and community oriented. This year is capped at a max of 20 participants.
- Very Limited Space.
Because this event is intentionally small, it means registration will sell out quickly! So register early. - Thrivers Only.
Thriveanooga is exclusively for members of our Thrive community. Not a member? Go join for free before trying to register.
STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?camphouse?
the CAmpus ministry edition of Thriveanooga is hosted IN one of our favorite venues
The Thriveanooga Camphouse is large house on 5 beautiful acres on the top of Lookout Mountain.
"For those who work in ministry whether for one year or 40 years we have tons to learn and share with each other. Thriveanooga provides the community and collaboration to work together and pray together in an intentional way that really allows us to grow and embrace God's call for our ministry and our life!"Tori Polhill(Detroit, MI)
early bird rate
ONLy 10 spots available at this rate
$299
per person
Early bird rate is only available as double-occupancy.
This fee is non-refundable (unless we cancel the event).
what does it cost?
We've talked to a LOT of diocesan directors, and we know budgets are VERY tight this year, so our team made the decision to INVEST IN YOU this year.
We've slashed the price of Thriveanooga Diocesan edition because we believe in the work you're doing, and we know that what you get out of this week will bring HUGE VALUE to the parish youth ministry leaders you work with.
So yes, we're LOSING MONEY on this event. It actually costs us $729/person to make this event happen, but this year we're only charging...
$189
per person
Two Important Notes:
(1) Registration fees are non-refundable.
(2) If you budgeted more than $189 for this event, consider adding a donation to your registration cost when you sign up.
what's the catch?
To protect the communal nature of the Thriveanooga experience, space is VERY LIMITED. Don't wait to register: claim your spot now!
2
Spots left
"Ministry can be isolating, challenging, and discouraging. We have to remember that we are not alone! Thriveanooga brings us together and gives us a supportive community that prays with and for each other through our struggles and celebrations, and we find that we are not so alone after all."Anna Albrittain(Washington DC)
registration opens august 1st
There's ONLY 12 Spots Available,
So BE Ready TO SNAG ONE WHEN
THEY BECOME AVAILABLE!
WANT TO BE ABLE TO REGISTER THE DAY BEFORE EVERYONE ELSE?
ENTER YOUR INFORMATION BELOW TO BE ADDED TO THE PRIORITY REGISTRATION LIST
scholarship fund
We want to make it possible FOR every diocese TO SEND SOMEONE TO THRIVEANOOGA
while that goal isn't a reality (yet), we do have a small scholarship fund available for those who need it. Enter your details below to find out more:
FAQs
While we aren't giving out ALL the details about Thriveanooga, we do want to give you the information you NEED to know.If you have other questions, click the red chat bubble in the corner and ask – we just might answer them!
- When does it start and end?
Please plan to arrive in Chattanooga no later than 4pm Eastern on Tuesday and depart no earlier than 3pm Eastern on Friday.
- Where do I fly into?
You can fly directly to the (awesomely small) Chattanooga airport. We'll even pick you up! Atlanta, Nashville, and Knoxville are all two hours away if you prefer to fly in there – but you'll have to arrange transportation to and from those bigger airports. - Do I need a car?
Nope. All transportation during the event is taken care of. Just make sure you get us your flight information, so we can pick you up from the airport! - Where are we staying?
We'll be on Lookout Mountain, but as long as you make it to Chattanooga, we'll take care of getting you where you need to go. - What meals are included?
Your registration fee covers all meals except for lunch on Thursday. - Do I get my own room?
At the Thriveanooga Camphouse, there will be multiple people in each room – but everyone will have their own bed. - Can I bring my baby?
No. As much as we love babies (and we really do), the format of this event is not conducive to having that much cuteness in the room. - What's the cancellation / refund policy?
Because this is a very limited registration event, there are no refunds if you cancel. If we have to cancel the event for some reason, everyone will get a full refund.
"Thriveanooga is an intentional space of community, joy, and shared growth for leaders who serve and love young people. This is a space to not only grow in your ministry, but also grow in your faith. You may come feeling isolated and alone, but you'll leave fully aware of your flock!"Charlie Hardesty(Owensboro, KY)
