Peer Leader - Steubenville Atlantic Information

Peer leaders are young adults aged 18-21 – basically, those who are too old to be participants but still too young to be chaperones. Peer leaders attend with a group and are expected to take on some leadership roles (at their group leader’s discretion). These roles can include things like leading (or assisting with) a small group, being a bus captain when travelling to and from the conference, helping with paperwork and organization in advance of the conference, etc. The important thing is that peer leaders are not just coming back as youth participants again – this role is intended to help young adults learn new skills and encourage them to step up to leadership in the faith.

Most peer leaders are former youth participants, but this is not mandatory. Anyone can be a peer leader, so long as they are aged 18-21, have a desire to grow in leadership and in their relationship with Christ, and have undergone our diocesan Responsible Ministry and Safe Environment Protocol.

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We highly recommend you take our online training program for Peer Leaders. The program is free and can be viewed whenever, wherever you want. Click here to sign up online.

Steubenville Atlantic
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Since peer leaders are legally adults, they must comply with the same Responsible Ministry and Safe Environment Protocol as group leaders, chaperones, and volunteers.

Check out a video overview from our diocesan Responsibly Ministry Coordinator.

Peer Leaders from Parishes in the Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth

The archdiocese has a moral, spiritual and legal obligation to safeguard, in all respects, all of those to whom we minister (Matthew 18:6). We are committed to exemplifying integrity and accountability. Our Protocol is directed at enhancing the well being and safety of all who participate in the Church’s programs and services, demonstrating care for the faith community and those we serve. Chaperones, from Parishes within the Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth are required to complete the following documents and return them to their Parish Responsible Ministry Coordinator.

• Volunteer Information Form
• Reference Document
• Covenant of Care
• Obtain a Criminal Records Check and Vulnerable Sector Search (or have had one completed within the past three years)

Peer Leaders from Parishes outside of the Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth

are required to complete the following documents and return them to the Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth Responsible Ministry Coordinator.

• Volunteer Information Form
• Certificate of Approval
• Covenant of Care

More information and forms can be found here

Steubenville Conferences are an outreach of Franciscan University of Steubenville. The conferences serve nearly 50,000 high school youth and their leaders at 25 different conferences across North America every summer. The conferences seek to invite teens into a life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ and his Church, empowering them to live as his disciples. These conferences are high energy events featuring inspiring talks, dynamic worship, and profound encounters with Jesus Christ in the Eucharist and sacrament of reconciliation.

Steubenville Atlantic is sponsored and organized by the Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth and brings together groups from across Atlantic Canada.

The weekend conference is open to high school students aged 14-18 (generally, those entering grade nine in the coming school year and this year's high school graduates) and their chaperones (aged 21+). We also need volunteers (aged 19+) to help everything go smoothly. if you’re between 18 and 21, you can attend as a peer leader! Peer leaders come as part of a group and can attend all the conference sessions (unlike volunteers). For more information, see Peer Leaders.

This year's Steubenville Atlantic Conference is July 5-7, 2024.
Check-in opens at 1:00 pm on Friday and the conference ends at 12:00 pm on Sunday.

The conference is held at Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, NS.
Main sessions are in McNally Main Auditorium.
Workshops and small groups are held in various spaces on the campus.

Meals take place in Dockside Dining Hall.
Participants remain on campus for the duration of the weekend.

Our 2024 conference t-shirt is available for pre-order until June 7, 2024 for $20.00.
Pre-ordered shirts will be ready for pickup in our conference bookstore.
Some will also be available for sale during the conference. 

However, we recommend pre-ordering to guarantee you get a shirt.

Registration for youth participants, group leaders, and chaperones is $250 per person. All registrations include all talks and sessions, residence accommodations for the weekend Saint Mary’s University, and five meals over the weekend (Friday dinner through Sunday breakfast). A $50 per person deposit is due immediately upon registration. Last day to register, and final payment due date, is June 7, 2024.

Registration is Now Opening

Regular registration is $250

Registration closes June 7, 2024

Late registration (after June 7, 2024) is sometimes possible. A $20 service fee applies to all late registrations.

You must be part of a participating group to attend Steubenville Atlantic. Many parishes, communities, or dioceses form groups to attend the conference. If you are already part of a group you can register on our website.

If you would like to attend Steubenville Atlantic and there is no group in your home parish contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to make arrangements!