STS December Conference FAQ
WHAT IS THE STS CONFERENCE?
The Strength to Stand Conference is designed to offer a well-balanced, intense experience that will challenge your students to go beyond the surface of casual Christianity and bring them into a lifetime commitment to Jesus Christ. Born of a vision to see thousands of students congregating in the Great Smoky Mountains these conferences are designed for students yearning for a deeper, more effective relationship with Christ. In addition to discipleship, students will be given the opportunity to respond to the Gospel. We make no apology in confronting lost students with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
The conferences are under the supervision of the Scott Dawson Evangelistic Association, Inc., which is recognized by the IRS as a nonprofit organization. Since 1987, this Association has been actively involved in conference ministries throughout the United States.
WHO CAN ATTEND THIS EVENT?
The conferences target students from sixth grade through college. Due to insurance regulations, it is Strength to Stand's policy to require each person to be in the sixth grade or at least twelve years of age. Because we try to effectively minister to such a wide range of students, please refrain from bringing younger children unless you acquire special permission from Strength to Stand.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO ATTEND?
Basic Housing
4 per room: $139 per person
3 per room: $149 per person
2 per room: $169 per person
Standard Housing
4 per room: $159 per person
3 per room: $169 per person
2 per room: $189 per person
Deluxe Housing
4 per room: $179 per person
3 per room: $209 per person
2 per room: $249 per person
Premium Housing:
4 per room: $199 per person
3 per room: $229 per person
2 per room: $279 per person
*Prices include two nights, three days lodging, the conference registration fee and all the conference attractions. The prices do not include meals. Most hotels offer a continental breakfast.
Stay an extra night for a discounted rate! Call the STS office for those rates!
Commuters (No Hotel)
For persons not staying at a conference hotel, there is an $89 per person conference fee.
Remember: You may reserve spots at the conference by paying a non-refundable deposit of $50 per person.
Receive a $10 per person discount when you are paid in full by October 11, 2023 (DEC) or October 23, 2023 (JAN).
December Conference registrations postmarked on or before October 11, 2023, will receive a $10 per person discount. Any registrations postmarked after December 7, 2023, will incur a $5 per person late fee. All fees are transferable. Changes must be made known to Strength to Stand no later than 24 hours prior to arrival.
January Conference registrations postmarked on or before October 23, 2023, will receive a $10 per person discount. Registrations postmarked after December 27, 2023, will incur a $5 late fee per person. All fees are transferable. Changes must be made known to Strength to Stand no later than 24 hours prior to arrival.
HOW DO I REGISTER?
Thank you for taking the first step in registering for the Strength to Stand Student Bible Conferences. Due to insurance and safety regulations, special identification badges will be given to all attendees. Fill out the summary sheet and group leader agreement for the entire group. Make sure that you include your groups rooming list with your check. The hotel will not recognize your group as registered guests without a completed rooming list.
Send all forms, along with one check for your deposit or total amount payable to the Scott Dawson Evangelistic Association, Inc., to:
Strength to Stand
PO BOX 59405
Birmingham, AL 35259
We will receive confirmations until we reach our maximum capacity of meeting space. You may fax your reservation, including your American Express, Discover, Visa or MasterCard number, to 205.833.9138, or online here ( December / January ).
Any payments received within 30 days of the Conference are ONLY payable by church check, money order, cash, Discover/Visa/MasterCard or American Express..
WHAT MEAL OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE?
After the conference fee is paid, the only expense your group will have is meals. You have three options for mealtime:
Many fine and fast food restaurants are located within a seven mile radius of the conference center. During designated times for meals, your church will be responsible for your group's transportation to and from the eating establishment.
There are many restaurants that deliver. Please remember there may be an additional charge for delivery.
Concessions - There are a variety of food options available at concession stands throughout the Convention Centers. Prices vary.
To see dining options for Pigeon Forge Visitor’s website at mypigeonforge.com .The Strength to Stand Conference has no involvement with any meal plan.
WHAT IS EXPECTED OF ADULT VOLUNTEERS/LEADERS?
Strength to Stand requires that for the first three (3) students of the same gender, one (1) counselor of that gender must be present. Then, for every five (5) students of the same gender at least one (1) counselor is required. We encourage you to bring as many counselors as possible.A counselor should be mature, a member of your church, a Christian, at least 21 years of age, and should be balanced according to genders. You must have one counselor highlighted as the person in charge of your group. Unless otherwise noted, this will be the Student Minister. Please choose your counselors carefully.
ARE THERE ANY VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADULTS (18+)?
Strength to Stand Conference is an important event for thousands of students every year, because they are able to sit under the life-changing message of the Gospel and grow spiritually with the help of speakers and worship leaders. It also takes a team of dedicated people like you to help make this event happen! We are looking for applicants who are committed to furthering the Kingdom and glorifying God in whatever they do. Each area of service is an opportunity for you to help spread the Gospel. Apply to join us today, and help others come to know Christ! The dates are December 28-30, 2022 and January 14-16, 2023.
WHERE CAN I SERVE?
Merchandise
Security
Prayer Team
Invitation Follow-Up
Registration
Greeters
Camera/Spotlight Operators
WHAT IS THE STS STATEMENT OF FAITH?
We believe that the Bible is the infallible Word of God; that it is His holy and inspired Word; and that it is the supreme and final authority in doctrine and practice.
We believe in one God, existing in three persons – Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
We believe in the deity of our Lord and Jesus Christ, born of the Virgin Mary.
Christ led a sinless life; took upon Himself all our sins; died and rose again; is seated at the right hand of God the Father; and is coming again in power and glory.
We believe all men are lost and face the righteous judgment of God and need to receive Jesus Christ in their heart by faith and repentance through His shed blood upon the cross.
We believe Christ rose from the dead and is coming again.
We believe in the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and eternal life.
We believe in holy Christian living and that we must have concern for the social issues of others.
We believe in the unity of the Body of Christ, composed of all those who have received Christ into their heart.
We believe in taking the gospel to all parts of the world by preaching salvation, producing disciples and partnering with Christian leaders around the globe.
WHAT HAPPENS IN THE EVENT OF BAD WEATHER? IS THERE AN OFFICIAL WEATHER/SNOW POLICY?
As you know, the conferences will be held in resort cities in the Smoky Mountain regions. As such, snow is not unusual for these areas. The conference will only be canceled in the unlikely event that the roads inside Pigeon Forge are closed for the entire three days of the conference. If an event is hosted as scheduled and your group cancels or reduces numbers due to weather conditions, all payments are non-refundable. If we are unable to host an event due to weather conditions, the $70 registration fee cannot be refunded. Refunds of final balance payments will be made only if properties and/or locations refund Strength to Stand for these costs. For your peace of mind, please know we have never had to cancel an event due to snow.
WHAT IS THE REFUND POLICY?
90-365 Days Out
Strength to Stand will offer a full refund minus the non-refundable $50 deposit. No questions asked.
46-89 Days Out
Strength to Stand will offer a half refund minus the non-refundable $50 deposit.
45 Days Out
No refunds unless approved by Strength to Stand.
The following are acceptable reasons for a refund:
(1) A person is unable to attend due to medical conditions. A signed statement from a medical doctor advising the person not to attend the conference must be presented with a letter of request. The letter from the doctor must be written for the sole purpose of requesting the refund and/or the dates of the conference must be mentioned in the time period forbidding travel by the person registered for the conference. If the person is hospitalized on any day of the conference, a letter from the hospital showing the dates of hospitalization shall serve in place of a letter from a medical doctor.
(2) Death of an immediate family member. The immediate family shall be defined as parents, step-parents, grandparents, children, step-children, grandchildren, sisters, step-sisters, brothers, step-brothers, aunts or uncles. This policy does not apply to cousins. A copy of the obituary showing the date must be attached to the refund request. In cases where the obituary does not show the family relationship, a letter from a pastor or funeral director handling the services must be attached to the refund request.
(3) A person is married to an individual who meets the criteria of (1) or (2) above.
(4) The requirement of a governing school body of a registered individual to attend classes.
(5) Service on jury duty or active military duty by a registered individual. Documentation of proof of the above situations may be required before a refund will be issued.
(6) A pastor or paid church staff member is required to participate in a funeral service during the conference. An obituary, or a letter from a funeral director of officiating minister stating the person's involvement in the funeral must be attached to the refund request.
The refund will be minus a $40 per person administration fee.
Each refund date is counted back from the opening day of each conference.
The person making the original registration or the designated group leader must make all refund requests.
The refund check or certificate will be made payable to the party upon whom the original registration check was drawn. No refund can be issued until at least fifteen (15) days after the deposit of the original check.
All group accounts must be paid in full before refunds can be made to any person in the group. Such refunds shall be credited to the account of the group.
Rules and regulations are subject to change without notice.
The conference office must receive any required documentation before the end of thirty (30) days after the close of the conference.
All refunds will be paid within 30 days after the event.
All requests for refunds must be in writing and sent to:
Strength to Stand
PO BOX 59405
Birmingham, AL 35259
Contact the office with additional questions:
205.833.9163
WHAT IS THE NATIONAL DISASTER CANCELLATION FEE?
Since Strength to Stand began, we have always been committed to do everything in our power to follow through with hosting planned events. However, in these uncertain times post-9/11, a national disaster or act of terror could render us both unable to host a planned event and unable to return your deposits. We hire staff, purchase equipment, and rent non-refundable facilities based on your reservations. Please be advised that if a Strength to Stand event is cancelled due to such extraordinary circumstances, we cannot refund the $70 registration fee regardless of other published cancellation dates and deadlines.