The UUCT Mountain Scholarship Fund was established to provide financial assistance as needed to enable UUCT youth and adults to attend programs at The Mountain Retreat and Learning Center, our Unitarian Universalist camp and conference center in Highlands, NC. Scholarships have mainly been awarded for youth to attend MountainCamp during the summer, with preference given to first-time campers. The Mountain does award some scholarships, but these are limited. Sometimes UUCT families need to combine both a UUCT and Mountain scholarship for their children to be able to attend camp. UUCT Scholarships have also enabled youth to attend weekend conferences (CONs) during the school year, one youth to attend a multigenerational Climate Justice conference, and adults to attend a UUCT congregational retreat held at The Mountain.

In 2019, four UUCT youth were awarded MountainCamp scholarships. Since then, we’ve been building the fund back up to enable more UUCT youth and adults to experience the “magic” of The Mountain. Encompassing Little Scaly Mt. and an area at the base which includes a thriving farm, The Mountain overlooks the Nantahala National Forest. Members of our congregation were among the founders of The Mountain and have served on its Board of Trustees and as volunteers. Numerous UUCT youth over the years have attended CONs and MountainCamp and worked as camp staff. Many adults have attended a variety of inspiring and transforming programs held throughout the year.

The Mountain is grounded in Unitarian Universalist values. Its mission is to enrich lives, foster an appreciation of the natural world, honor the interconnectedness of all things, and inspire people to build inclusive, meaningful, sustainable communities throughout their lives. The Mountain provides an intentional community where our youth and adults can practice our UU values, and it introduces many others of all ages to these values.

The UUCT Mountain Scholarship Fund is a Share-the-Plate partner this month. The scholarship fund exists so that financial constraints are not a bar to attending Mountain programs. Please give generously as you are able. To learn more about The Mountain, its programs, and MountainCamp visit: https://www.themountainrlc.org/