don't call it a conference.
SERIOUSLY, THRIVEanooga is Not a conference.
It's a highly-relational and truly interactive event created by youth ministers for youth ministers. We took everything we love about conferences, and added more of that. We also threw away the stuff we didn't love and added what we thought was missing. The end result was a two and half day event unlike anything else you've ever been to.
We call that result "Thriveanooga",
and we think you're going to love it!
"Everything about Thriveanooga felt exactly right. The conflab model that allowed for real expertise to be engaged and shared was perfect. Not once did I find myself being talked at or unseen. This experience was intimate and wonderful."Carol Wiget (Diocese of Birmingham)
who is this for?
This version of Thriveanooga was created exclusively for people who work in Catholic youth ministry at the diocesan level.If you can emphatically answer yes to all the questions below, then you should join us for Thriveanooga Diocesan Edition!
- Are you employed by the diocese?
This week has been specifically created for those awesome folks who work at the diocesan level. - Is youth ministry part of your job?
It's ok if youth ministry is not your full-time focus. As long as serving young people (middle school through high school) or supporting those who do falls under your job description: Thriveanooga was created for you. - Are you willing to think outside the box?
We're not looking to maintain, we're ready to dream big and innovate. If you're happy with the way things are, this is not the event for you. - Do you like people?
You will be spending a LOT of time with other people during this event. Introverts are welcome – but we want to make sure you know there is going to be way more group time than alone time. (Don't worry: you'll have time to decompress and escape when you need to.) - Do you work well with others?
This is not a "listen to experts talk at you all day" kind of event. This is a "roll up your sleeves and get to work" kind of thing. You'll be spending a lot of times in collaborative sessions and team-oriented workshops that will actually move the needle in your ministry. - Are you ready to be real?
If you're looking for a place filled with people who have everything figured out and haven't struggled in years – this ain't it. Thriveanooga is the place to come figure things out, which means you need to willing to be real and vulnerable about what's working (and not working) in your ministry (and maybe even your life). - Do you like fun?
We're going to get a LOT done during the day, but when evening rolls around it's all about fun, community, and competition. If you're looking for low-energy and boring, you're going to hate Thriveanooga. - Are you ready to finally play a game?
Most youth ministers love games, but they never get to play them because they're always running them. Well not at Thriveanooga – you better be ready to lace up your kicks and put your game face on because we've got some awesome games ready for you! - Are you down with not knowing all the details?
We're not going to publish the event schedule – so if that will cause you too much stress to enjoy yourself, you might want to sit this one out.
registration
The full cost for thriveanooga diocesan edition is $879 / person – but space is limited!
* Save $50 by registering early *
Enter EARLY as your registration code.
REGISTER NOW"This week was the most profitable way I have spent my time at the diocese! I have made contacts and friends. The creative collaboration that always ended with an action plan is incredibly fruitful! It was exhausting brain work! But balanced with fun, competition a good food! I left feeling lifted up, educated, seen and heard! God is good!"Bobette Huzovic(Diocese of Steubenville)
who's at the table?
The dioceses below are either signed up to be there this year or have joined us for a previous Thriveanooga Diocesan Edition:
Diocese of
Orange
Diocese of
Reno
Diocese of
Bellevile
Atlanta
Birmingham
Chicago
Cleveland
Dallas
Davenport
Green Bay
Jackson
Los Angeles
Louisville
Metuchen
Milwaukee
Nashville
New York
Oklahoma City
Owensboro
Raleigh
Rockford
Shreveport
Steubenville
We'd Love to add YOUR DIOCESE To the list!
"Thriveanooga Diocesan Edition is the most practical, results producing, and relationship building ministry experience I have participated in to date!"Mark Loyet(Diocese of Belleville)
so what is it?
THRIVEanooga is COLLABORATIVE.
We're not bringing in big name speakers for this event, the biggest asset of Thriveanooga is you. Every person who comes has their own skills and experience, so we're going to leverage that for everyone's benefit.
Rather than keynotes and lectures, the day is filled with collaborative sessions we call conflabs. We'll work together to create action-oriented solutions to your real world ministry problems.
It's all about learning from and challenging each other.
THRIVEanooga is CREATIVE.
We are not looking for cookie cutter solutions, we're ready to push the envelope, challenge conventions, and dream up creative and innovative solutions. To make that possible, we've structured each day to give time and space for creative thinking and group brainstorming sessions.
THRIVEanooga is CROWDSOURCED.
Our team is not picking the topics to be covered at Thriveanooga, you are!
After you register, you'll get to suggest topics for conversation. Based on upvotes from all the registered attendees, we'll choose the most requested topics and build the content for the event around those.
THRIVEanooga is COMMUNITY ORiENTED.
More than anything else, Thriveanooga is about community. Especially after the year we've all just had, we know everyone is in desperate need for real, in-person community. We've built the schedule and intentionally chosen the hotel and meeting spaces that will foster community.
We've built Thriveanooga to be intentionally small. It's far too easy to get lost in the sea of people at a big conference – that won't happen at Thriveanooga. By the end of the week, you'll know everyone's name.
We will be facilitating pre-event and post-event conversations inside of Thrive to make sure that community we build at Thriveanooga doesn't stay at Thriveanooga (though the stories might).
THRIVEanooga is COnstructive.
When you head home from Thriveanooga, you won't be leaving empty handed. Throughout the week, we will be building innovative solutions together. You'll be able to take back these solutions and implement them in your ministry right away and make real change (we're not just talking theory).
THRIVEanooga is CATHOLIC.
At ProjectYM, everything we do is rooted in our Catholic faith – Thriveanooga is no different. We'll have dedicated time to pray, worship, and celebrate the Sacraments together. We're honored to be joined throughout the event by various clergy and Catholic worship leaders.
"You know how the best part of a conference is the work that gets done in the real conversation over lunch, in the lobby, and at the hotel bar? Now imagine a whole conference with those conversations. That's Thriveanooga Diocesan Edition."Doug Ulasek(Archdiocese of Milwaukee)
a few more details
- Beautiful Lookout Mountain.
We'll stay, play, eat, and gather just south of downtown Chattanooga – on Lookout Mountain! - Three Night Stay Included.
When it comes to accommodations, we've got you covered! We'll be staying in a beautiful house just south of Chattanooga on Lookout Mountain, GA. - Meals Included.
Our team will take care of breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks galore – but we'll be going out for lunch on Thursday (not included). - Only $829/person.
We'll cover your lodging, your meals (except lunch on Thursday), supplies, snacks, and more. - Intentionally Small.
This is NOT a conference. We're creating a different type of event, and we're keeping it small and community oriented.
- Very Limited Space.
Because this event is intentionally small, it means registration will sell out quickly! So register early. - Thrivers Only.
Thriveanooga is exclusively for members of our Thrive community. Not a member? Go join for free before trying to register.
STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?camphouse?
the diocesan edition of Thriveanooga is hosted IN A UNIQUE VENUE EACH YEAR.
In 2024, our house was on 5 beautiful acres on the top of Lookout Mountain – the venue for 2025 is still in the works.
"The collaboration and insight gained from others in the field was invaluable and will have a lasting impact upon our long term planning in our Diocese. It’s also important to be refreshed and uplifted by peers and shared prayer."Tommy Nelson(Diocese of Green Bay)
early bird rate
ONLy 10 spots available at this rate
$299
per person
Early bird rate is only available as double-occupancy.
This fee is non-refundable (unless we cancel the event).
what does it cost?
We've talked to a LOT of diocesan directors, and we know budgets are VERY tight this year, so our team made the decision to INVEST IN YOU this year.
We've slashed the price of Thriveanooga Diocesan edition because we believe in the work you're doing, and we know that what you get out of this week will bring HUGE VALUE to the parish youth ministry leaders you work with.
So yes, we're LOSING MONEY on this event. It actually costs us $729/person to make this event happen, but this year we're only charging...
$189
per person
Two Important Notes:
(1) Registration fees are non-refundable.
(2) If you budgeted more than $189 for this event, consider adding a donation to your registration cost when you sign up.
what's the catch?
To do it at such a ridiculous price point means we are VERY LIMITED on space. So don't wait to register: claim your spot now!
2
Spots left
"Thriveanooga Diocesan Edition was very worthwhile to my formation in diocesan-level ministry with young people and those who serve
them. It brought a renewed energy and many valuable insights to my ministry – and strengthened community with ministry peers. Highly recommended!"Karl Dolson(Archdiocese of Louisville)
registration opens august 1st
There's ONLY 12 Spots Available,
So BE Ready TO SNAG ONE WHEN
THEY BECOME AVAILABLE!
WANT TO BE ABLE TO REGISTER THE DAY BEFORE EVERYONE ELSE?
ENTER YOUR INFORMATION BELOW TO BE ADDED TO THE PRIORITY REGISTRATION LIST
scholarship fund
We want to make it possible FOR every diocese TO SEND SOMEONE TO THRIVEANOOGA
while that goal isn't a reality (yet), we do have a small scholarship fund available for those who need it. Enter your details below to find out more:
FAQs
While we aren't giving out ALL the details about Thriveanooga, we do want to give you the information you NEED to know.If you have other questions, click the red chat bubble in the corner and ask – we just might answer them!
- When does it start and end?
Please plan to arrive in Chattanooga no later than 4pm Eastern on Monday and depart no earlier than 3pm Eastern on Thursday.
- Where do I fly into?
You can fly directly to the (awesomely small) Chattanooga airport. We'll even pick you up! Atlanta, Nashville, and Knoxville are all two hours away if you prefer to fly in there – but you'll have to arrange transportation to and from those bigger airports. - Do I need a car?
Nope. All transportation during the event is taken care of. Just make sure you get us your flight information, so we can pick you up from the airport! - Where are we staying?
Exact location is still in the works, but as long as you make it to Chattanooga, we'll take care of getting you where you need to go. - What meals are included?
Your registration fee covers all meals except for lunch on Thursday. Contributions to the house bar are always welcome. - Do I get my own room?
At the Thriveanooga Camphouse, there will be multiple people in each room – but everyone will have their own bed. - Can I bring my baby?
No. As much as we love babies (and we really do), the format of this event is not conducive to having that much cuteness in the room. - What's the cancellation / refund policy?
Because this is a very limited registration event, there are no refunds if you cancel. If we have to cancel the event for some reason, everyone will get a full refund. - Can I pay by check?
Yes, but because we have a very limited number of spots, you'll need to pay a minimum deposit of $100 via credit/debit card during registration.
"Thriveanooga Diocesan Edition is an incredible opportunity to be renewed in the vision and mission of youth ministry at the diocesan level! This is a great opportunity to collaborate with like minded ministers and establish friendships from all over the country!"Megan Vantslot(Diocese of Metuchen)
