Our vibrant network of retreat centers, camps, and conferences offer experiences of growth, connection, spirituality, and community throughout the year. Each of these independent camps and centers identifies with Unitarian Universalist (UU) values and traditions.

Camps and Conference Centers

Camp de Benneville Pines (Redlands, CA)

Located in the pine forest of the San Bernardino Mountains of Southern California, Camp de Benneville Pines hosts youth, family, and adult programs that foster spiritual and personal growth, environmental stewardship, leadership development, and social justice and action. Programs include UU congregration camps, LGBTQ and holiday family camps, summer and winter camps for youth, and grown-up camps for yoga, folk music, and art aficionados. Visit Camp de Benneville Pines.

Camp Unistar (Cass Lake, MN)

Ten weekly camps, June-August. Visit Camp Unistar.

Chalice Sparx (Sturgis, MI)

At Chalice Sparx camp and retreat for families you will experience a truly multigenerational community. There are no camp counselors here to whisk away the children separate from their families. Here we learn together, worship together and explore together in a community of all ages – including elders who complete our multigenerational village. This Midwestern camp and retreat for Unitarian Universalist families gathers for a long weekend each July in Sturgis, Michigan at the lovely Amigo Centre in southwestern Michigan — only 90 miles from Chicago, 120 miles from Ann Arbor and 195 miles from Indianapolis.

Ferry Beach (Saco, ME)

Year-long weekly conferences and retreats. Visit Ferry Beach.

The Mountain Retreat & Learning Center (Highlands, NC)

Surrounded by the natural beauty of the Southern Appalachians, The Mountain offers camps, conferences, and educational programs for all ages. Comfortable accommodations are available for congregation retreats and programs sponsored by UU groups and community-based organizations. The Mountain is a place for exploring nature, hiking and other outdoor adventures. Visit The Mountain.

Murray Grove Retreat and Renewal Center (Lanoka Harbor, NJ)

This historic site is where John Murray preached his first Universalist sermon in America in 1770. Located on twenty peaceful acres in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey, Murray Grove offers year round lodging for up to sixty-six people, meeting spaces, commercial kitchen and a (seasonal) salt water pool. Visit Murray Grove.

Rowe Camp and Conference Center (Rowe, MA)

Rowe Center is nestled in Western Massachusetts’ Berkshire Mountains, offering year-round weekend workshops led by nationally known presenters on nature, spirituality, creative arts, personal growth, and politics. Summer camps are for children, youth and adults, and a community service internship program allows participants to live and work in a value-based community. Visit Rowe Center.

Shelter Neck UU Camp (Burgaw, NC)

Youth camps and rental facilities. Visit Shelter Neck UU Camp.

Sierra Ancha Wilderness Unitarian Universalist Religious Association — SAWUURA (Young, AZ)

SAWUURA is located in the Sierra Ancha Mountains of Arizona, providing a sense of seclusion and serenity to members and visitors. A membership based non-profit corporation, SAWUURA is governed by a board of nine trustees elected by the membership. The SAWUURA property may be used for camping and events by members, with submission of a signed liability agreement. Visit SAWUURA.

Star Island Family Conference and Retreat Center (Isles of Shoals, NH)

At Star Island, enjoy rugged living six miles off the coast of New Hampshire. Summer programs include spirituality, world affairs, arts, ecology, yoga, history, and children’s activities. Kayak in the harbor, unwind in a porch rocker, or reflect during a candlelight service. Experience your best self at Star Island. Visit Star Island.

UBarU (Kerville, TX)

An IDA designated Dark Sky Park, is a Unitarian Universalist Camp and Retreat Center located on 142 rugged acres in the storied Hill Country near Kerrville, Texas. UBarU serves UU congregations as well as individuals and groups who believe in the importance of our mission. Our mission is to provide a welcoming, peaceful place to gather for spiritual, educational, and recreational purposes in harmony with our Unitarian Universalist principles and the land. Visit UBarU.

Unicamp (Honeywood, ON)

Located within the UNESCO Niagara Escarpment Biosphere Reserve, Unicamp has 50 beautiful, peaceful acres of meadows, coniferous and deciduous forests, marshes, streams, caves, and a spring fed pond. Unicamp is a place to relax, explore, meet new people, re-connect with self, community and nature. Visit Unicamp.

Unirondack (Lowville, NY)

A welcoming and unique community located in the forever-wild Adirondacks, Unirondack provides summer camp experiences for young people within a community where UU values are lived and every aspect of the program is filled with opportunities for self-expression, creativity and belonging. Visit Unirondack.

Gatherings and Institutes

• SUUSI: Southeast Unitarian Universalist Summer Institute: July, Radford University in Radford, VA
• Eliot Institute: July and August, Seabeck, WA
• WUULF: Western Unitarian Universalist Life Festival: June, Ghost Ranch, NM
• Unitarian Universalist Mid-Atlantic Community: July, Center Valley, PA
• Central East Region Summer Institute (CERSI): July, Oberlin, OH
• SWIM: Southeast Winter Institute: December-January, Miami, FL
• Midwest Unitarian Universalist Summer Assembly: June or July, Potosi, MO
• Bayside Unitarian Universalist Family Camp: July, Elkhorn, WI
• More Unitarian Universalist camps: listed at the archived website of the former CU2C2, the Council of Unitarian Universalist Camps and Conferences

UUA Camps, Conferences & Events

Some of the family camps and festivals listed above are co-sponsored by UUA Regions. Additionally, the UUA sponsors:

• An annual General Assembly meeting and convention, in different locations each year.
• QUUest Camps residential summer camps for middle and high school youth.
• College of Social Justice experiences for high school youth and young adults.
• Multicultural and anti-oppression focused conferences and trainings, as announced by our Multicultural Growth and Witness staff.
• Trainings for religious professionals, as announced by our Ministries and Faith Development staff.

Other Conferences & Events

Unitarian Universalists across the United States organize a great variety of local and regional conferences and camps for children, youth, and adults. Contact a congregation near you to learn more about what’s available in your area.

MidAmerica and Pacific Western Region Grant Opportunity

The Elandria Williams Grant Program, administered by the Midwest Unitarian Universalist Conference (MUUC), provides financial support for Unitarian Universalist youth in the MidAmerica and Pacific Western Regions to attend UU camps, conferences, and retreats.

This grant program honors the legacy of Elandria Williams, whose tireless leadership and commitment to centering youth and young adults in Unitarian Universalism continues to inspire.

How to Apply

• More information and the application link can be found on the Midwest UU Conference website.
• Note: Applications must be approved by the Board of your Congregation before submission.