incoming student registration — frequently asked questions

i’m enrolled in summer b classes at uf & august 7 is the last day of class.

can i still attend the mount if i have to arrive later than 4:30 that day?

Of course! We understand that classes & exams most of the time cannot be moved. The Mount is happy to provide proof of our event and professors have accommodated students in the past (for example, letting them take an exam Friday morning instead of during the afternoon). However, we understand this isn’t always the case. Additionally, students often fly into Florida to attend the Mount. Flights can be delayed and issues with travel are always a possibility.

We would much rather you attend the Mount by arriving late than not attend at all. You don’t want to miss out on everything the rest of the weekend has to offer!

my roommate/friend is also coming to the mount. can we be in the same cabin?

While our registration team accepts cabin requests, we cannot guarantee them. We’re confident that you’ll make even more friends and form genuine friendships with those in your cabin (known as your family group) if you’re open to new faces! Many students have met their closest friends at the Mount and have even become roommates later on in college. You’ll have plenty of time to hang out with your friends during free time throughout the weekend. The best part: you’ll be starting college with even MORE community!

i don’t know anyone coming to the mount. do most people come with friends?

Definitely not! Most incoming students attend the Mount without knowing anyone else. Just 3 days later, they leave the weekend with lasting friendships rooted in similar values. Incoming students will be intentionally placed in cabins with counselors (current UF/SF students) and fellow first-year students. Students will have free time to mingle and will participate in large group games to help meet others outside of their cabins as well, and they’ll receive information about campus ministries and local churches in Gainesville that can’t wait to encourage their walk with Christ.

i had a LAST-MINUTE change of plans & can’t attend anymore. do you offer refunds?

The Mount does not offer refunds on incoming student or staff registration fees. The Mount functions annually on an extremely small donor-funded operational budget, and we work very hard to charge all students (staff & incoming students) less than what we pay Southwind per person. Registration fees from those unable to attend help to keep the overall cost of attendance low and support scholarships, so our ministry is accessible to even more students. We thank you in advance for your understanding!

I think i already know what local church & campus ministry i want to join.

why should i still come to the mount retreat?

The Mount has tremendous value in addition to connecting incoming students with a local church and campus ministry. While getting students plugged into community so they may be empowered and equipped to follow the Great Commission is the main focus of our mission, it doesn’t encompass the entirety of the impact the retreat has every year.

First of all, we believe a weekend set aside specifically for growing in one’s faith and knowledge of the Lord, amongst fellow Christians, before the chaos of the collegiate school year begins is invaluable. Many students, including first-year, counselors and leadership, say the Mount was a life-changing weekend for them. This is a common reason stated by students as to why they keep coming back to be a part of the retreat weekend.

During the retreat, we try to balance structured sessions with time for personal reflection and encountering God individually, while adding in small group discussion, large group games and competitions, and free time as well. We host four main sessions during which a local church leads worship, followed by a Scripture-based teaching given by a local pastor.

Saturday mid-day activities consist of the ministry fair, where 30+ local churches and campus ministries will come table to meet incoming students face-to-face and provide information. We believe that students can and should have life-giving friendships with fellow believers even outside of their campus ministry. This not only encourages them personally but also creates more unity throughout the body of Christ.

All of the churches and ministries share a common goal — to disciple students as they choose to grow in their faith and devote their collegiate years to Christ, and to ultimately grow the Kingdom of God in Gainesville. Lastly, we believe the Mount is a movement for a diverse group of Christians, from various churches and ministries, to come together for one weekend of worship, community, growth, and celebration to welcome first-year students into a new chapter of their lives.