Hastings Youth Conference
The summer Hastings Youth Conference at Hastings College is for middle and high school students — rising fifth graders to graduated seniors. It aims to help young people come to know and believe they are loved by God. It’s an inclusive place where community, connection and God’s truth thrive.
Held June 15-19, 2026, HYC is a wonderful opportunity for students to deepen their faith in a vibrant, supportive community. This week is packed with engaging worship, meaningful small group discussions and fun recreation, creating the perfect environment for spiritual growth and connection with other young people.
We look forward to welcoming youth groups for a transformative experience!
2026 Hastings Youth Conference
Dates: Monday, June 15 to Friday, June 19, 2026
Location: Hastings College campus
Cost: $200 per person (including chaperones)
Cancellations made before April 1, 2026 will be refunded $150.
Deadline: The deadline to register is May 14, 2026.
Registration is coming soon!
Small Groups – Big Mission
A central part of the Hastings Youth Conference is the daily small group experience, which is mandatory for all youth and chaperones. These groups are intentionally formed to help participants meet new people of faith from other churches and areas.
While some youth from the same church may be in a group together, the focus is on building a wider community. To ensure a quality experience, all small group leaders follow a dedicated manual with activities and discussions appropriate for their group’s age and abilities.
Chaperones
Each church is required to bring at least two chaperones (if more than 20 youth, add one chaperone per 10 conferees – for example, five youth require two chaperones, while 21 youth require three). Additional chaperones are welcome!
All chaperones must submit evidence of a background check completed by their church or complete forms allowing Hastings to complete a background check.
Any adult willing to undergo online training and serve as a small group leader can attend at no cost. Please indicate this in the registration form. Churches may submit up to one chaperone per church as a small group leader.
Back Home Groups: While we encourage churches to bring their students and chaperones to experience the conference together, we can accommodate youth traveling to the conference without a chaperone. Youth attending without their own church chaperone will be assigned to a “Back Home Group” led by a trained college student who will stay with them in the dorms, ensuring their safety and participation throughout the week.
Typical Daily Schedule
8:00am – Breakfast in the cafeteria
9:00am – Energizers, announcements, music and keynote
10:30am – Small group time (groups will be formed by age and interest)
12:00pm – Lunch and rest time
2:00pm – Small group
3:30pm – Recreation
5:00pm – Dinner
7:00pm – Worship
8:30pm – Recreation
10:00pm – All participants in dorms, time with back-home groups
11:00pm – Quiet hours begin
Housing
Housing is provided in Hastings College residence halls.
Youth are expected to room two people per room. (Exceptions may be made, please contact Rev. Doodle Harris at doodle.harris@hastings.edu.)
About Our Leaders
HYC Keynote Speaker
Rev. Doodle Harris is the Chaplain at Hastings College. Doodle has served Presbyterian and Lutheran Churches since earning her MDiv from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and being ordained as a minister in 2008. She also has a BA in Music Performance from Presbyterian College and a MM in Music Theory from the University of South Carolina.
When not working, she can be found reading, playing board games and planning her next trip to Disney World! She lives in Hastings with her wife, Amanda, her twins, and her obnoxious dog, Lorelai.
HYC Preacher
Rev. Anthony “Tony” Larson is pastor of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Surfside, South Carolina. He was active in the student congress and served on the leadership team of Presbyterian Campus Ministry while a student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he graduated with degrees in public policy analysis and religious studies. He received his MDiv from Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond, Virginia. He’s served in a number of capacities, including co-leader of the Synod Youth Council for the Synod of the Mid-Atlantic and as a planning team member for Montreat Youth Conference.
Anthony describes himself as a “semi-professional nerd” and backs that up as a Level 50 Pokémon Go Trainer, captain of the RogueRev Trivia Team and is officially sorted into House Ravenclaw. He loves to cook, listen to jazz, and spoil his cat and dog.
HYC Musician
Dr. Amanda Boyd, soprano, enjoys performing and teaching in and around the Hastings area. Her favorite works to perform include Handel’s Messiah, John Rutter’s Requiem, and Cantata 51 by Bach. Amanda is the K-12 music educator at Red Cloud Community Schools where she teaches general music, choir, band and dual-credit music appreciation courses with Central Community College. In addition, she serves as the Director of Music Ministry at First Presbyterian Church of Grand Island. She lives in Hastings with her wife, Doodle, and two children, Julia and Sam.
HYC Recreation Lead
Rev. Jeremy Wilhelmi is a PC(USA) minister and currently serves as University Chaplain at University of the Ozarks in Clarksville, Arkansas. He’s spent 20 years in ministry with youth and young adults because he loves the spiritual formation and transformation that takes place at this juncture of our lives.
Jeremy enjoys traveling, following college baseball and building his own Lego sets.
Questions?
If you have questions about the Hastings Youth Conference, contact Rev. Doodle Harris at doodle.harris@hastings.edu.
Hastings Youth Conference is a component of ASPIRE at Hastings College. ASPIRE is an intergenerational program focused on cultivating preaching that compels diverse audiences, especially young adults, by communicating Biblical teachings in ways that are timely, relevant and inclusive of contemporary culture and digital platforms.