Events · 2025–2026 in photos

A whole year of showing up together.

From first-week campfires to conference weekends, game nights, meals, and retreats, this is what life in RUF at UGA can feel like.

Explore the year
Confirmed weekend datesFallCon + Winter Retreat

FallCon: October 9–11, 2026 · Winter Retreat: January 29–31, 2027.

Follow @ugaruf for updates ↗

Conferences and retreats

Unparalleled spiritual, relational, and personal growth—and unforgettably fun.

A few times each year, RUF gets out of town with students from around Georgia, the region, and the country. Any enrolled UGA, UNG, or Athens Tech student age 18 or older is welcome, and scholarship help is available.

RUF at UGA students gathered outside together at Fall Conference

A defining weekend

Fall Conference

Next weekendOctober 9–11, 2026SharpTop Cove · Jasper, Georgia
Registration Coming SoonA Friday-to-Sunday weekend for new and old friends, thought-provoking teaching, and time outdoors.See the full story
The full RUF at UGA community gathered together at Winter Retreat

Mountains, worship, and friendship

Winter Retreat

Next weekendJanuary 29–31, 2027Ridge Haven Camp · near Brevard, North Carolina
Registration Coming SoonA Friday-to-Sunday mountain weekend without the distractions of a larger conference.See the full story
A large group of RUF at UGA students together at Summer Conference

A week at the beach

Summer Conference

Next weekendMay 10–15, 2027Laguna Beach, Florida
Registration Coming SoonMonday–Saturday immediately following UGA graduation, with teaching, community, and time to breathe.See the full story

A year in motion

Find your way into the story.

Choose a season, then open any event for its latest description and full photo gallery.

RUF at UGA students gathered outside together at Fall Conference11 photos

Fall · A defining weekend

Fall Conference

Next: October 9–11, 2026A Friday-to-Sunday weekend for new and old friends, thought-provoking teaching, and time outdoors.Explore the event
The full RUF at UGA community gathered together at Winter Retreat15 photos

Winter · Mountains, worship, and friendship

Winter Retreat

Next: January 29–31, 2027A Friday-to-Sunday mountain weekend without the distractions of a larger conference.Explore the event
A large group of RUF at UGA students together at Summer Conference16 photos

Spring · A week at the beach

Summer Conference

Next: May 10–15, 2027Monday–Saturday immediately following UGA graduation, with teaching, community, and time to breathe.Explore the event
Freshman students gathered around a dining hall table4 photos

Fall · Winter · Spring · Every Thursday on campus

Freshman Lunch

Every Thursday, RUF interns meet students at a UGA dining hall for lunch, conversation, and an easy place to hang out.Explore the event
A large group of RUF at UGA students together at Volleyball Friday11 photos

Fall · Winter · Spring · Every Friday on Myers Quad

Volleyball Friday

Every Friday from 3:00–5:00 PM, students meet on Myers Quad to play, relax, and end the week together.Explore the event
A large group of RUF at UGA students together at August Camping Trip17 photos

Fall · Start the year outdoors

August Camping Trip

A simple overnight that trades the first-week rush for campfires and conversation.Explore the event
A large group of RUF at UGA students together at Ministry Team Cookout18 photos

Fall · A year of service starts together

Ministry Team Cookout

Ministry team students head to a farm for grilling, friendship, and time together before a year of serving.Explore the event
A large group of RUF at UGA students together at Transfer Dinner10 photos

Fall · A table for new beginnings

Transfer Dinner

A relaxed dinner created especially for students finding their way into UGA and RUF.Explore the event
A large group of RUF at UGA students together at Watch Parties9 photos

Fall · Game day, together

Watch Parties

Football and basketball are better with a room full of friends.Explore the event
A large group of RUF at UGA students together at Fetch13 photos

Fall · Athens becomes the game board

Fetch

Around 100 challenges. One campus-wide scavenger hunt. A camera roll full of proof.Explore the event
Freshman women smiling together beside a bonfire3 photos

Fall · A warm welcome after dark

Freshman Bonfire

A fire, an open circle, and an uncomplicated way for freshmen to meet.Explore the event
A large group of RUF at UGA students together at Christmas at the Chapel17 photos

Fall · A joyful close to the semester

Christmas at the Chapel

A festive night of welcome, celebration, and Christmas warmth.Explore the event
A large group of RUF at UGA students together at Basketball12 photos

Winter · In the stands and on the court

Basketball

Students play together, cheer together, and turn basketball into community.Explore the event
A large group of RUF at UGA students together at Taste of Athens13 photos

Fall · Saturday at 6:00 PM

Taste of Athens

Explore Athens around the table with a new group of friends.Explore the event
A large group of RUF at UGA students together at Night at the Pit19 photos

Spring · A big night to bring a friend

Night at the Pit

Music, movement, laughter, and the kind of room that makes a shared memory quickly.Explore the event
A large group of RUF at UGA students together at Parents Lunch13 photos

Spring · Welcoming families into the story

Parents Lunch

A shared meal that helps parents see the community their students know.Explore the event
A large group of RUF at UGA students together at RUF Olympics31 photos

Spring · Team colors encouraged

RUF Olympics

Friendly competition, creative games, and a field full of people cheering each other on.Explore the event
A large group of RUF at UGA students together at Ministry Team Kickoff2 photos

Spring · Serve side by side

Ministry Team Kickoff

The people behind the welcome gather, eat, and begin serving together.Explore the event
And more…

More happens throughout the year.

This page is a growing look at RUF life—not an exhaustive calendar. Follow along for welcome-week plans, casual hangouts, service opportunities, and new traditions throughout the year.

Join the GroupMe for current announcements ↗

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You can ask before every detail is figured out.

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