Upward Challenge (2023)

Upward Challenge is a weeklong summer camp that encourages high school students to go deeper in their Christian faith walk. Based in the mountains of Western North Carolina, students are given the opportunity to get away from the busy and distractions of everyday life and come to the Community of the Cross. The CoC is a teaching center of PRMI on 24 acres that is set apart for Encounters with Jesus. Our hope is that those that come will walk way having had an encounter with Jesus Christ that deepens their faith as they walk back into their everyday life after camp.

During camp, we will intentionally have teachings and discussions that help give students the tools they need to live out their faith. This includes personal solo times, worshiping together, listening to the Holy Spirit, and practicing discernment together.

We will look to answer some questions like these: What does hearing the voice of God look like for me and how do I discern if it is God? What does it mean to be a Christian in our world today? Who is the Holy Spirit? What does it look like to cooperate with the Holy Spirit and walk in step with him in your day-to-day life?

Upward Challenge is a week filled with laughter and making new friends, being pushed to try new things and wrestling with hard questions, having fun exploring trails and relaxing in the afternoon quiet hour.

When: 

Sunday Evening, July 23rd - Friday Afternoon, July 28th, 2023.

We will start with dinner at 6:00 on Sunday the 23^rd. Check-in will open at 4:00 that afternoon. We will go until 12:30 on Friday, the 28^th.

What does the week look like:

During the week, you will participate in interactive teaching sessions, small group discussions, personal solo times, powerful times of worship, group games, and times of wonderful fellowship and service. 

Where:

Community of the Cross in Black Mountain, NC (optional camping experience).

In the past, UC has strictly been a camping experience, this year we are mixing it up and there will be some indoor options for those that do not prefer sleeping in tents. On the registration form, please let us know your choice of where you prefer to sleep during the week. 

Who:

Those going into High School through graduated seniors are welcome!

**If you have already graduated and would like to volunteer to be a leader, contact Victoria at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Cost: $0

Yes, that's right, we don't require you to pay a dime to be part of this amazing event!

Instead, we invite you to make a donation towards costs as we take up an offering at the event (eg: about $300 would be the cost per student, but the exact amount is up to you. Go pray about it!).

Host:

Presbyterian-Reformed Ministries International.

PRMI is a non-profit organization, and all of the Upward Challenge leadership are volunteers.

After expenses, whatever is in excess will be used to thank the leadership volunteers and lay a financial foundation for future Upward Challenge events.

Forms:

Here is the welcome packet for camp.  There are a couple of release forms that need to be signed at the bottom before camp starts. They are also attached to the registration email you will recieve. 

Deadlines

Fill out and return to PRMI at least 2 weeks before camp:

• the medical and emergency contact form 
• the social media permission form.

You can fax the completed forms to 828-669-7373, scan them in and email them to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or mail them to Presbyterian Reformed Ministries, International, P.O. Box 429, Black Mountain, NC, 28711.