Secular Student Alliance 2026 National Conference
About The Conference
The Secular Student Alliance national conference is the largest gathering of secular students in the country. For students and the entire secular community, this unique conference experience blends amazing speakers, grassroots training, leadership enrichment, and a secular perspective.
What is the focus of the conference?
The SSA National Conference is the largest gathering of secular students in the United States, and it only happens once a year. This is your chance to connect in person with other nonreligious, atheist, agnostic, and questioning students from across the country who share your values and your drive to make a difference.
Over the course of the weekend, you’ll gain practical tools to grow or start your campus chapter, build your leadership skills, and take action on the issues that matter to you. You’ll hear from dynamic speakers, participate in hands-on workshops, and leave with new ideas, renewed energy, and lasting friendships.
You’ll also strengthen your resume and grow your professional toolkit. Attending the SSA National Conference helps you develop real-world experience in areas like:
- Public speaking and communications
- Community organizing and chapter-building
- Event planning and peer engagement
- Advocacy and coalition-building
- Network-building with national leaders and fellow students
This year’s conference will take place in person at the University of Maryland, College Park. We’re bringing together the next generation of secular leaders and we want you to be there.
While the conference is designed with students in mind, it’s open to all who support secular values. Whether you’re a student, recent grad, educator, or ally, you’re welcome to join us for this unforgettable weekend.
Who should attend?
If you’re a nonreligious student looking for community, inspiration, and practical tools to make a difference, this conference is for you.
Whether you’re just starting to explore your secular identity, actively organizing on campus, or thinking about how to get more involved, the SSA National Conference is designed to meet you where you are and help you grow.
You’ll be in the right place if you're a student and:
- You identify as atheist, agnostic, humanist, freethinker, or nonreligious in any way
- You want to build a secular student group on your campus—or make your existing chapter stronger
- You’re interested in activism, leadership, advocacy, or building inclusive community
Or if you're not a student, and:
- You’re a faculty or staff advisor who supports secular students
- You’re a recent grad, SSA alum, or community member who wants to stay connected and give back
- You’re part of a local atheist, humanist, or freethought group and want to strengthen your grassroots organizing
- You care about the future of the secular movement and want to be part of shaping it
No matter your level of experience, you’ll leave the weekend energized, equipped, and connected to a powerful network of students and allies.
How do I register?
Registration is simple and affordable at only $59 for students! Go to our registration page to register now.
What is the conference conduct policy?
The SSA National Conference is a harassment-free space. The safety of all conference attendees is very important to us.
Our Conference Conduct Policies can be found here. Please familiarize yourself with these important policies.
As a student, how do I pay for the conference, housing, and travel?
We know cost can be a barrier, so we’ve designed the SSA National Conference to be as affordable and accessible as possible.
Registration is only $59, and includes access to all workshops, speakers, events, and meals for the full weekend.
Housing is available in student residence halls at a reduced rate, which keeps lodging costs low and offers a unique experience. High school students can get a taste of campus life, often for the first time. And college students have a chance to explore a new campus!
We also work hard to help you find funding to cover travel and lodging.
Our campus organizing team is here to support you with:
- Guidance on requesting student government or student activities funding for leadership development (download or email us for a quickstart guide!)
- A customizable online fundraising campaign template to raise support via social media
- Tips for connecting with local community members who may want to sponsor your trip
- Access to SSA’s travel grants, available by application here
Email us at organizers@secularstudents.org to get personalized guidance throughout the fundraising and planning process. We’re here to make sure that you can attend the conference without paying your own way!
Whether you’re coming from across town or across the country, we’re committed to helping you get there. You’re not in this alone, and this is an experience worth showing up for.
What about housing or hotels?
Students
We encourage students to stay in the on-campus residence hall during the conference. It’s affordable, convenient, and part of the experience!
You can register for on-campus housing. The residence hall is available to arrive on Thursday, July 16, and depart after the conference on Sunday, July 19, for $50 a night for a shared room. If you would like to stay an extra day (leaving on Monday, July 20) to explore Washington, DC, you can do. The residence hall room will be $81 for the extra night.
Non-Students
There are several hotels near the University, with a wide range of prices and amenities. Most are within 5–10 minutes of campus by car or rideshare.
What airport should I fly into?
You should fly to the Washington, D.C. area airports. The closest major option is Reagan National Airport (DCA), and you can also fly into Dulles International Airport (IAD) or Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI). From the airport, you can take a Lyft rideshare or public transit to the University of Maryland, College Park campus.
What about parking on campus if I drive?
On-campus parking will be available for the duration of the conference at the University for $80. Please register and pay for parking using this form
What about meals?
All meals during the conference are included in your registration. Most will be served in a centrally located campus dining hall. You’ll receive a meal card at check-in to access your meals while on campus.
Here’s what’s included:
- Thursday, July 16 (Arrival Day):
Pizza Social – 5:30 PM - Friday, July 17 (Conference Day 1):
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner - Saturday, July 18 (Conference Day 2):
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Water and light snacks will also be available throughout the conference to keep you going between sessions.
Meals will take place in University dining hall, which features a wide variety of options, including stir-fry stations, made-from-scratch pizza, tacos, Asian cuisine, Choolah bowls, and more. Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-friendly, and allergy-sensitive options are available at every meal.
For college students, this is a fun way to explore how another campus approaches dining and student needs. For high school students, it's a great opportunity to experience campus dining firsthand, an important part of college life that isn’t always covered on a tour.
If you have any dietary restrictions or allergies, please let us know during registration or contact organizers@secularstudents.org so we can make sure you’re taken care of.
What is the conference hashtag?
The official hashtag for the SSA Conference is #SSACon. Be sure to tag @secularstudents when you use Twitter, Tiktok, and Instagram, and feel free to add other hashtags like #secularstudents #secularism #atheist or #humanist.
The SSA staff will be posting regularly on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram before and during the conference. Be sure to follow us for updates and share!
You are welcome to use your mobile phone, laptop, or tablet to tweet or post photos during conference sessions; free wifi will be available on campus and in the residence halls, however, please be respectful and do your best to not be disruptive to the speaker(s) or those around you.