The Mountain Retreat & Learning Center — Highlands, United States

Retreat and learning center on a 4,200-foot granite cliff in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Highlands, NC

The Mountain was founded in 1979 by a group of friends and Unitarian Universalists from across the southeast who discovered Little Scaly Mountain and recognized it as the perfect place to deepen their engagement with their congregations and create a peaceful retreat for their families. Perched on a 4,200-foot-high granite outcropping on the Eastern Continental Divide in the Blue Ridge Mountains of southwest North Carolina, the center sits high above the Nantahala National Forest, four miles from the resort town of Highlands. For more than 40 years, The Mountain has held true to its original vision of serving as a nonprofit camp for all ages, as well as a learning and conference center. The location itself defines the experience. The quiet remote setting, year-round temperate weather, stunning vistas, proximity to pristine national forest, and clear night sky create what the center describes as an atmosphere of unmatched clearness and levity. The campus includes eight casual and comfortable lodging options with sleeping capacity for 80 to 100 adults and up to 150 adults and youth combined. More than a dozen unique indoor and outdoor meeting spaces accommodate groups of all sizes, from intimate gatherings to large conferences. The Mountain's commitment to ecological consciousness extends through every aspect of operations. The Many Hands Peace Farm, located on the property, supplies seasonal produce including tomatoes, beans, lettuce, kale, potatoes, chard, microgreens, and edible flowers. Free-range chickens and ducks produce farm eggs featured on the salad bar and in morning meals and baked goods. The kitchen sources regionally grown produce and works with local, humane purveyors. Food scraps are composted on-site to enrich the soil. The center observes Meatless Monday to reduce its carbon footprint and expose guests to alternative proteins, while maintaining flexibility to accommodate dietary needs including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free meals. Programming spans youth camps, adult retreats, conferences, workshops, family gatherings, and wellness events. MountainCamp serves youth with activities including pottery, white water rafting, tubing, cooking over campfire, dance, and ecology-focused games. Youth CONferences bring together young people for community-building experiences. The center also hosts Music Week, farm apprenticeships, and farm-to-table dinners featuring seasonal harvests. Personal retreats allow individuals to seek renewal and deepen spiritual practice amid the natural landscape. All programming is grounded in Unitarian Universalist principles celebrating inclusion, interconnectedness, and the building of compassionate communities.

Traditions: Unitarian Universalist principles, Ecological stewardship, Community building, Nature-based learning, Sustainable food systems, Interfaith and secular gatherings

Programs: MountainCamp (youth residential camp), Youth CONferences, Music Week, Farm apprenticeships and volunteering, Forest-to-Table farm dinners, Group retreats and conferences, Personal retreats, Educational workshops