FAithfully PResent
July 23-25, 2026 | Covenant College | Lookout Mountain, GA
A Call to Attentive, Relational Education in the Midst of a Distracted Age
Faithfully Present
The 2026 CMI Conference is coming, and we can't wait to gather with you on scenic Lookout Mountain, GA! Mark your calendars for July 23-25, 2026 at Covenant College, where this year's theme, "Faithfully Present: A Call to Attentive, Relational Education in the Midst of a Distracted Age," will inspire, equip, and refresh your heart and mind. Embracing simplicity and humility, we’ll explore what it means to offer an education marked by attentiveness, consistency, and love.
Prepare to immerse yourself in community, hands-on learning, and thoughtful discussions. We hope participants--including teens ages 13 and older! -- will leave the conference excited to incorporate Charlotte Mason's insights into their rhythms of life. We can’t wait to see you on Lookout Mountain!
Our aim in Education is to give a Full Life.
We owe it to them to initiate an immense number of interests... Life should be all living, and not merely a tedious passing of time; not all doing or all feeling or all thinking- the strain would be too great - but, all living; that is to say, we should be in touch wherever we go, whatever we hear, whatever we see, with some manner of vital interest.
~Charlotte Mason, School Education, p.170
Speakers
Come join conversations on Charlotte Mason, atmosphere, and how to live a full life with our students - all set with the backdrop of scenic Lookout Mountain.
Interested in being a speaker at this year's conference? Please view the information about the process and access the call for proposals form by clicking the link below.
Schedule
We'll release the detailed schedule to attendees as the event gets closer. Until then, here is a general schedule for the conference.
Afternoon: Pre-Conference Event
Evening: Tired Travelers Reception
Morning - Preconference Events
Afternoon - Welcome & Keynote
Evening - Casual Conversations
Morning - Matins, Keynote, Breakout
Afternoon - Breakout & Tea
Evening - Keynote & Activities
Morning - Breakouts
Afternoon - Final session and conference ends
Covenant College
Conference Location






more information
FAQ
Yes. However, we do recommend staying on campus if possible so that community connections can be made over breaks, meals, and after sessions. There are many hotels and local Air BnBs in the greater Chattanooga area.
Yes. Groups of four or more are eligible for a reduced ticket rate.
There are no microwaves or fridges in the dorm rooms. You are welcome to bring your own non-perishable snacks, reusable water bottles, etc. If you require a refrigerator due to dietary restrictions or breastmilk storage, please contact us and we will do our best to accommodate.
Chattanooga Airport is about a 40 minute drive to campus. Atlanta International and Nashville International airports are about two hours away.
Yes! A limited number of teen track tickets (for students 13+) will be available. We can’t wait to tell you about all the fun we’ve got planned!
We’re excited to hear of your interest. Please read through the Call for Proposals document and email conference@cminst.org with any further questions.
Refund requests for conference tickets and/or meals and lodging received by June 30, 2026 will receive a refund minus a $30 cancellation fee.
After June 30, we are unable to provide refunds. However, conference tickets only (not meals/lodging) are transferable as long as the transfer request is received by July 15, 2026.
All rooms in Carter and where workshops are located are wheelchair accessible. If you have a specific accessibility need, please do not hesitate to contact us so that we can ensure a smooth conference experience for you.
Yes. There is no additional charge for parking, but you must be sure to park in the lot marked for CMI Conference attendees.
Yes! We are offering a special spouse ticket this year and will be having focused sessions on supporting educators through a Mason journey from the spouse perspective.
Children and families are welcome to come, however there is no programming or childcare for children under 13 years old. Lookout Mountain is a great jumping off point for family fun, with nearby locations such as the National Historical Park Point and the many trails on the mountain, as well as Rock City and Ruby Falls. In addition, the nearby city of Chattanooga is home to the amazing Tennessee Aquarium, the Creative Discovery Museum, The National Medal of Honor Heritage Center, The Bessie Smith Cultural Center, and the Hunter Museum of American Art. To learn more about local attractions, restaurants, and events, and more check out Visit Chattanooga.
Yes, you can purchase meals a la carte at the entrance of the Great Hall and pay by cash, card, or ApplePay. Meal prices are:
- $9 for breakfast
- $12 for lunch
- $12 for dinner
- Children under 3 eat for free
- Layered clothing - weather on top of Lookout Mountain tends to be about 10 degrees cooler than Chattanooga. All indoor spaces on campus will have AC, so plan accordingly.
- Your journals/notebooks, something to write with, nature journal supplies
- Toiletries/Personal items
- Reusable water bottle
- Comfortable shoes
Carter Hall is also home to The Blink - a cafe located on the main floor where you can purchase coffee, tea, snacks, etc.
Yes. The Dining Hall has an area called ‘The Zone’. This station offers menu items that have been prepared without Wheat, Egg, Milk, Soy, Peanuts, Tree Nuts, Fish, Sesame and Shellfish. Please note that while they take every precaution to produce menu items free of all allergens, they are a facility that handles all major allergens in their kitchen. You can read more about the Dining Hall and special dietary requirements here.
Please do specify your needs when purchasing your lodging/meals so that we can communicate this to Covenant dining staff.
our sponsors
Interested in sponsoring? We love to highlight relevant organizations and individuals for attendees and the entire international community influenced by this conference. View our sponsor invitation below and reach out to conference@cminst.org for more information.
Register
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