ASCENT | PdF

Ascent is a Bible school where God’s creation is the lecture hall. A transforming learning experience that involves body, soul and spirit.

Week	Weekly Schedule
1	Introduction, Team Building and Training for outdoor activities
2	Survival Week in the Carpathian Mountains
3	Rock Climbing Week: Climbing, Rappelling and Via Ferrata
4	Mountain Bike Tour in the Transylvanian hill country, visiting rural villages and medieval fortresses.
5	Reflection Week

What to expect?

ASCENT is an English-speaking Adventure Bible School based on experiential learning. This concept implies that most activities are self-lead by the students under the supervision of our trained instructors.

It is a holistic experience that involves body soul and spirit. Learning happens through Bible lessons, discovering parallels between scripture and experience and reflecting regularly. Our lecture hall will be God’s creation. The program is designed to bring students into a deeper relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ while challenging and equipping them to grow not only as individuals, but also as a members of a team.
The lecturers are teachers from PdF Romania and guest lectures from the Torchbearer community.

The outdoor activities happen in the beautiful and wild nature of the Carpathian Mountains and Transylvanian hill country. (See “Where it happens”). Surprise is part of the concept of this program, therefore we cannot reveal too many details.

Our program is based around four principles:

Challenge
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that he testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4

It is important for our participants to be pushed out of their comfort zones because we believe that this is where the true learning starts. Our program is designed to challenge participants in ways they may not expect, so that they may be challenged to grow in the areas of their lives where they most need it.
Community
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” Phillipians 2:3-4

Life is not possible alone, we all need to function/be connected within a community. Our program provides many opportunities to learn the meaning of ‘teamwork’. The program includes teaching on the topic of leadership and provides opportunities to apply these principles.

Reflection
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” Matthew 7:24

It is important not to just experience and move on, but to reflect on what you’ve experienced so that you may learn and grow from it. Our program provides participants with plenty of time to reflect on their experience; not only in a group, but also alone.
Spiritual Growth
We want to include Jesus in all that we do. Much time will be spent in prayer, studying His word, and simply worshipping Him at any chance we get! We encourage our participants to be mindful of Him not only in the beautiful moments but especially in the challenging ones.

^“He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
Psalm 46:10

Where it happens?

Romania is a beautiful and very diverse country in Eastern Europe and is part of the European Union. In recent years it increasingly attracts tourists due to its rich nature and cultural diversity found in the rural villages. The landscape includes the Carpathian Mountains, the Danube delta, the Black Sea and Transylvanian hill country.

The country has developed enormously over the past 30 years after the fall of communism and now has modern infrastructure. Brasov has become a major tourist city with a medieval old town full of restaurants and shopping centers. However, the countryside is a stark contrast and still offers a journey into the past.

Our center is located in the Transylvania region of Romania, at the foot of the Carpathian Mountains. It is a great location from which to go walking, hiking and mountain biking. On campus we offer a variety of activities: high ropes course, 150m zip line, lake, sports fun court (soccer, basketball, handball, hockey, volleyball, etc), and a beach volleyball court. From our location, students can travel to see medieval castles and other cultural and historical attractions.

Learn more about the local terrain and attractions

Why an adventure Bible School in Romania?

The diverse landscape of Romania makes possible many outdoor activities like hiking, climbing, caving, biking, survival, horseback riding. The mountains are much less populated than the Alps and have a wild character, and there is a lot of freedom for outdoor activity. This environment creates a unique and different experience, ideal for our Adventure Bible School.

Romania is different than most people think. It is a modern and safe country. It has a good tourist infrastructure. Traveling to Romania is simple and not costly. In 2023 an airport will be opened in Brasov, but also flying into Bucharest and Sibiu is possible.

Romania is part of the EU but not of Schengen. Travelers from the western countries can enter the country for three months without a visa.

Our center has an international staff team with trained and certified instructors in many different outdoor activities.

Questions?

FAQs

Apply Now!

Applications

In order to apply to our program, please click on the link below. If there are any problems in accessing the form, please contact us at: registrar@pdf.ro

Please note that there is a 30 EURO non-refundable application fee required before we can review your application.

Dates & Fees

	DATES	FEES
2025	August 03 – September 06	1900* Euro
2026	August 02 – September 05	2000* Euro

*Fees are for international students. For Romanian student fees, please visit the Romanian language page

	Dates	Fees
2025	August 03 – September 06	1900* Euro
2026	August 02 -September 05	2000* Euro
		*Fees are for international students only. For Romanian student fees please go to the Romanian language page.

Questions?

FAQs

Apply Now!

What to bring?

Equipment list

Download the equipment list

Rental equipment at our center:

Equipment	Rental fee for the entire program
Large backpack (60 liters)	15 Euro
Daypack 20 liters	5 Euro
sleeping bag (comfort zone 0°C)	20 Euro
sleeping mat/foam	5 Euro

Ascent is a Bible school where God’s creation is the lecture hall. A transforming learning experience that involves body, soul and spirit.

What to expect?

Our program is based around four principles:

Challenge

Community

Reflection

Spiritual Growth

Where it happens?

Why an adventure Bible School in Romania?

Questions?

Applications

Dates & Fees

Questions?

What to bring?

Rental equipment at our center:

Donation

CONTACT

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PARTNERS