College Groups or Individuals

Are you, your friends, or your students looking to really experience faith in action? Nazareth Farm is the place for you! Spend a week on an immersion retreat with us, focusing on Prayer, Community, Service, and Simplicity in new ways. During the week you’ll put down the books and get out of the classroom. You’ll meet students from other parts of the country, share in real conversations while making a tangible impact with us in Appalachia. You’ll be challenged in new ways, have quiet time to connect with yourself, and learn a few new skills.  

You can register as a campus ministry group or as an individual. Students must be 18 years or older in order to participate in our college weeks. Students must also not be enrolled in a high school. Grad students are encouraged to attend as are campus ministers. However, college groups do not need a chaperone.

The participant fee is $350 per person ($300 for West Virginia residents). Please read all provided policy information, including our vehicle policy because groups will be held responsible for following all specified policies. 

You are also highly encouraged to check out the “About Us” and “Resources” sections to learn more about the Farm, Doddridge County, Appalachia, and many of the intricacies about what a week with us might look like. Click here for driving directions or for our group week calendar.  

Registration and Forms

• Registration for a College 2025-2026 Group Week is currently open! Register HERE! The priority registration deadline for the lottery is May 1, 2025.
  
  • Please review the registration policy below.
• Volunteer Forms
• Group Week Calendar

Before You Arrive

• • Transportation policy
  • Winter packing list
  • Summer packing list

College Registration Policy

In response to an overwhelming amount of interest in bringing a group to Nazareth Farm and in an effort to provide equal opportunity to each group who would like to come to Nazareth Farm, the following Registration Policy has been set by our Board of Directors. Please review it carefully as you complete the registration application for your group.

For schools that are interested in volunteering, the priority deadline will remain May 1, 2025 for college Service Retreats. All applications submitted on or before the registration deadline will be treated as having been received on the registration deadline. Every attempt will be made to accommodate the desired weeks for those applications submitted by the registration deadline. When more applications have been received than there are slots available, slots will be assigned by means of a lottery system. Any group not selected by the lottery system will be put on a waiting list and will be contacted if any spots open up. Any applications submitted after the registration deadline will be put on the ‘late’ waiting list and will be offered slots, if any are available, in priority of submission dates as previously described.

For group weeks, payment in full for the number of spots reserved must be paid in full prior to 90 days before the school or parish’s retreat week begins. If payment is not received by that date, Nazareth Farm will notify you and will fill the spot with another group. If no new volunteer group is found to fill those volunteer spots, the original group will be responsible for full payment 90 days before the volunteer weeks. If an entire group must cancel after the 90 day deadline, your payment will NOT be refunded. Payment will only be refunded prior to the 90 day deadline. If groups show up with fewer volunteers than reserved and paid for, the amount will NOT be refunded unless the group called ahead and­ Nazareth Farm was able to replace the spots. If Nazareth Farm can fill the spot, you will be refunded for every person we replace. The deposit of $50 per person is non-refundable unless your group is not selected in the lottery system. The 90 day deadline is the last date to make any changes in numbers or cancellations without penalty.

Groups who submit a completed application by the designated date, yet due to capacity constraints do not receive a group week will be given priority the next year if a completed application is received by the annual designated date. Groups associated with staff and board members do not receive preferential treatment in the selection process.

COVID-19 Policy

All overnight guests at Nazareth Farm (volunteers, board members, friends of the Farm, etc) are required to test for Covid-19 on the day of their departure and prior to arriving at the Farm. This testing should be done prior to meeting with any other guests traveling with them. An at-home rapid test is adequate for this test.

Nazareth Farm, Inc. does not require guests to be vaccinated against Covid-19. Nazareth Farm, Inc. does not require that homeowners on worksites either test or vaccinate against Covid-19. Additionally, the communal nature of Nazareth Farm’s accommodations makes consistent social distancing infeasible. Therefore, given the effectiveness of the Covid-19 vaccine at reducing contraction and reducing the severity of impact for breakthrough cases, it is strongly recommended that all guests be fully vaccinated and boosted against Covid-19 in accordance with CDC guidelines.

Any guest is welcome to wear a mask whenever they desire. While on a worksite or visiting a community friend, guests may be asked to wear a mask. All guests are required to comply with these requests and masks will be provided as needed.

Allergy Information

Nazareth Farm is not a peanut-free environment. However, we will do our best to create a safe environment for participants with allergies. If you do have allergies, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator at [email protected] well before your trip so we can best prepare our facilities.

Cell Phone Policy

Cell phones do not receive service in the valley where Nazareth Farm is located. Volunteers and chaperones should not expect that they will be able to use cell phones while they are here. We expect chaperones and group leaders to collect cell phones prior to the group’s arrival. We have a lock box available to store cell phones in our office. Nazareth Farm’s office phone number (304-782-2742) will be available in case of emergencies. Otherwise, please do not plan to contact participants during the retreat week to help create an immersive experience for all.