Encounter is an annual event led by the Allegheny West Conference Youth Ministry Team. It is for churches to bring groups of students in grades 6-12 for a weekend retreat/conference style event focused on equipping students to grow in their faith and connecting students across the annual conference.

Encounter is open to any church in the Allegheny West Annual Conference! Unfortunately we are not able to accommodate individual students without leaders, but churches may bring a group of any size, even if its only 1 student! Our age range for students is 6th-12th grade.

We have a very full weekend planned that will involve student led worship, teaching, breakout sessions, and lots of activities! All main sessions are taught by leaders on our conference youth ministry team.  These leaders are all pastors and leaders who have experience in youth ministry and teaching students. Breakout sessions are taught by youth leaders, pastors, and laity across our annual conference.  Occasionally we are blessed to have special guests lead breakout sessions from other organizations that help equip students!

Every year we pick a theme for our main teaching sessions.  The 2027 theme will be announced in the future! Stay tuned for more details!

In addition to our main sessions, we will also have three breakout sessions.  Students and leaders will get to choose from 10-12 different sessions and attend the ones that are most relevant to them. These are taught by pastors and youth leaders from around the Allegheny West Conference.

Heartland has a variety of activities for students to choose from during the free times.  Activities include basketball, gaga ball, 9 square in the air, rock climbing, zip lining, and so much more! We will have a better list of exactly all that will be offered as we get closer to the event!

We have multiple dorms reserved for Encounter.  Each dorm building is divided into 4 quads (two on each side).  In each quad there are roughly 4 rooms sleeping 10-12 each (in bunk beds).  On each side of the building, there is a large bathroom that can be accessed and and will be shared by 2 of the quads.  The bathrooms are very large and include many shower and restroom facilities. In order to accomodate the size of Encounter, we may have multiple churches sharing a room.  This means you get a chance to meet new people! Each room will have at least 2 adults along with students.

While we want everyone to be able to be there or our main session on Friday night (which starts at 9pm), we understand that many are traveling long distances to get to Encounter and that might not be possible. Reach out to us and we will be sure to make arrangements for your group!  However we encourage you to be there for as much as possible so your students don't miss out!