Northeast District Junior Youth Con/Rally

Helen Zidowecki
Religious Education/Youth Specialist
Northeast District, UUA

Many congregations provide junior youth group experiences in addition to regular junior youth programming. Some districts hold conferences or rallies for junior youth. The following is one description of a district con/rally.

Pat Hoertdoerfer, co-editor

Junior youth are involved in the planning and running of the con. The adults definitely need to be present to support the youth, but in actuality, most of the adults who attend the junior con are attending cons for the first time! This presents a great opportunity for modeling from the very beginning the ability of youth to take responsibility, with the adults in a supporting role and as a resource. Because of the number of new participants, the conference coordinator (adult) needs to have experience in working with both youth and adults. Youth-adult relations here seem to be fairly fluid, meaning that adults are welcomed by the youth. I find that the adults are so anxious about this being a good experience that they want to provide "suggestions for success." When they are able to go with the creativity of the youth, adults are often surprised at the outcomes and absolutely awed by what youth can accomplish when allowed to do so.

The agenda is definitely packed tightly with various activities – probably more tightly packed than for senior youth cons. This includes discussions, worship, leadership development, and workshops in addition to games and eating. We plan junior youth cons for one overnight rather than two overnights, which is typical at larger cons. The energy level is high, because of the age group and because of the sense of anticipation at a con. Everyone is worn-out at the end of the time. (At the larger cons, the junior youth are tempered more by the presence of older youth.)

In Northeast District, our year starts with a Fall Con for grades 7-12, followed a month later by a separate junior con specifically geared to grade 6 and other youth who are new. This is a smaller con with about 35 youth and adults. Other cons (Winter Weekend, Social Justice Con, and Spring Con) are run by the district youth adult committee and include grades 6-12, ranging in size from 60-90 youth and adults. I mention this overall schedule because the conferences do all tie together. The rules are the same for youth and adults. We also build in the traditions of the youth community and develop leadership from the very beginning of the con experiences.

Here is a recent example that gives the flavor of our junior youth cons:

We have expanded our con to include 9th graders, and we have added a whole slew of new activities. This conference offers terrific new ways to honor and nurture these key aspects of ourselves.
MIND – Great discussions with fellow UU youth, fun and stimulating workshops, games, and meditation to relax the mind.
BODY – Many opportunities for creative physical activity including yoga and theater. And, of course, we'll feed our bodies with terrific food (that you help make!).
SPIRIT – Connecting with others, having fun and creating art together – laughing, singing, playing music, nurturing our spirits through yoga and meditation.

Don't Miss It!

Grades: 6-9
Cost: $25
Adults: At least one adult is needed for every ten youth from a church. (See notes for adults.)

What You Need To Know:

Discuss questions of participation with the conference coordinator prior to the activity. People from outside the district may participate if there is space to accommodate them and conditions of participation are met.
There is no discrimination based on gender, race, ethnic background, or sexual orientation; factors of age, ability, religious connection, and residence are noted above.

Hold a Pre-conference meeting

Discuss the conference itself; the conference codes on the registration form; and local arrangements, including travel, for youth, their parents, and the adults who will be attending the conference. The guidelines for determining who should attend follow. This can also be signed by participants as a covenant with the congregation.
[ ] Is within the age specifications of YRUU events or adult advisors over 23 years of age;
[ ] Has connection with/participates in the church activities, such as being a part of the youth group, or other connections;
[ ] Able/willing to be responsible for own behavior;
[ ] Able/willing to participate in conference activities;
[ ] Has an understanding of what happens at the con;
[ ] Adult advisor(s) are comfortable/willing to take responsibility for the youth;
[ ] Special needs can be met during the event.

Other Logistics

Transportation guidelines to/from conference, and within conferences is up to the churches.

• License and insurance coverage of drivers is verified.
• Concerns about driving behavior will be reported to the church coordinator.
• The parents of youth traveling with a youth driver must give consent to the adult from the church that is coordinating the event. The adults attending the event must also be aware of the plans.
• If the driver is a youth, be aware of current laws regarding new and youth drivers.
• Seatbelts need to be available for all occupants.
• Travel arrangements and destinations of participants are confirmed, especially if the terminal points and travel times differ from general plans.
• Drivers should plan to get enough sleep.

Overnight arrangements at conferences:

• This will be reviewed at the conference. Generally, participants sleep in same-gender areas. Awake areas are co-ed. Adults and youth deans are needed in each area.
   
• The boundaries and expectations will be reviewed in detail and posted at the conference.
• Everyone signs in by room or building.

Notes for adults

• At least one adult is needed/10 youth from a church for accountability/responsibility, and connection and support for youth between church and district events.
• Adults may job-share, but the youth need to know the arrangements. One adult needs to stay until the other arrives, and the adult coordinators or conference leader must be aware when the change actually occurs. The two adults will be placed in the same touch group. One registration is charged for both adults.
• Adults may cover youth who are not from their congregation. The parents and youth need to communicate, the plan must be known/agreeable to churches involved, and the arrangement must be noted on the registration form.
• Adults need to be aware of special considerations of the youth for whom they are responsible.

Adults at conferences:

• Participate in conference activities,
• Are resources for youth and need to be available and visible to interact with youth,
• Need to be aware of how youth for whom they are responsible are doing/will be informed of injury /illness,
• May need to assist in monitoring Saturday night activities with other adults,
• Trust, respect, and like teens,
• Meet with the adult coordinators during conference,
• "New" adults will be placed with "experienced" adults in various activities.