We have answers.
What are the ground rules for the Con?
The expectations for Con participants are on the REGISTER page. All participants must agree to these ground rules in order to attend.
What if my youth needs to come late or leave early?
Participants must arrive at 12:30pm on Saturday and stay for the entire Con, until dismissal at 10:00 a.m. Sunday. We recognize this means that youth with other family, sport, club, performance, social, work or school commitments during these hours will not be able to attend the Con. That's the unavoidable downside of this well-considered policy.
On the plus side, the policy ensures: we can easily monitor the presence and safety of all participants; everyone is present for introductions, covenanting, and reviewing ground rules; the whole group is part of the whole arc of the Con, allowing for shared experiences and meaningful connections to develop; and there are minimal interruptions. The benefits -- for the individuals in attendance and for the group as a whole -- are significant.
This is a hard and fast policy. No exceptions. Thanks in advance for supporting us in offering this unique opportunity to slow down, focus in, and be fully present to ourselves and one another.
Who is in charge of the Con? How are adults selected to chaperone the Con?
The Con is organized collaboratively by staff and youth from all the participating congregations. Each congregation has at least one paid staff present at the Con, and recruits adult volunteers to serve as chaperones. There is a ratio of at least 1 adult to each 7 youth participants. All chaperones are at least 25 years old, sign a volunteer code of ethics, and have undergone a background check through their home congregation. If you are interested in volunteering, please reach out to the religious education staff at your congregation.
We cannot guarantee that youth will be under constant direct adult supervision. For example, at times, youth will be in youth-led activities with adults monitoring various rooms by circulating through the building. Youth who attend should be trustworthy and capable of honoring the Con ground rules at all times.
Where will youth sleep? How will they be supervised?
Youth self-select from three sleeping areas at the Con: ALL GENDER, FEMALE-IDENTIFIED ONLY, and MALE-IDENTIFIED ONLY. Con staff ensure that the sleeping room designations are respected. Youth are not permitted to share bedding, and there must be visible floor space between their bedding and others'. Sleeping space is available starting at about midnight and all lights are out at 3 a.m.
If you have expectations about which space your youth will select and/or when they will sleep, please discuss and make these agreements with your youth directly.
Adult volunteers take shifts during the night, so there are always at least two on awake-duty just outside each room, and doors to sleeping rooms remain open. Adult volunteers who are not on awake-duty have a sleeping area separate from youth participants.
What if our family can't afford the $50 registration fee?
Simply let your congregation's youth program or religious education staff know you need a scholarship. They are available upon request.
Can you accommodate my youth's dietary/accessibility/other needs?
We will do everything we can to make the Con accessible for all. This is a central principle of the Con. Please make sure your youth includes a detailed explanation of their needs on the Con registration form. We will be in touch with any questions or if we need support to meet their needs.
Still have questions?
Please contact your congregation's youth program or religious education staff!
The expectations for Con participants are on the REGISTER page. All participants must agree to these ground rules in order to attend.
What if my youth needs to come late or leave early?
Participants must arrive at 12:30pm on Saturday and stay for the entire Con, until dismissal at 10:00 a.m. Sunday. We recognize this means that youth with other family, sport, club, performance, social, work or school commitments during these hours will not be able to attend the Con. That's the unavoidable downside of this well-considered policy.
On the plus side, the policy ensures: we can easily monitor the presence and safety of all participants; everyone is present for introductions, covenanting, and reviewing ground rules; the whole group is part of the whole arc of the Con, allowing for shared experiences and meaningful connections to develop; and there are minimal interruptions. The benefits -- for the individuals in attendance and for the group as a whole -- are significant.
This is a hard and fast policy. No exceptions. Thanks in advance for supporting us in offering this unique opportunity to slow down, focus in, and be fully present to ourselves and one another.
Who is in charge of the Con? How are adults selected to chaperone the Con?
The Con is organized collaboratively by staff and youth from all the participating congregations. Each congregation has at least one paid staff present at the Con, and recruits adult volunteers to serve as chaperones. There is a ratio of at least 1 adult to each 7 youth participants. All chaperones are at least 25 years old, sign a volunteer code of ethics, and have undergone a background check through their home congregation. If you are interested in volunteering, please reach out to the religious education staff at your congregation.
We cannot guarantee that youth will be under constant direct adult supervision. For example, at times, youth will be in youth-led activities with adults monitoring various rooms by circulating through the building. Youth who attend should be trustworthy and capable of honoring the Con ground rules at all times.
Where will youth sleep? How will they be supervised?
Youth self-select from three sleeping areas at the Con: ALL GENDER, FEMALE-IDENTIFIED ONLY, and MALE-IDENTIFIED ONLY. Con staff ensure that the sleeping room designations are respected. Youth are not permitted to share bedding, and there must be visible floor space between their bedding and others'. Sleeping space is available starting at about midnight and all lights are out at 3 a.m.
If you have expectations about which space your youth will select and/or when they will sleep, please discuss and make these agreements with your youth directly.
Adult volunteers take shifts during the night, so there are always at least two on awake-duty just outside each room, and doors to sleeping rooms remain open. Adult volunteers who are not on awake-duty have a sleeping area separate from youth participants.
What if our family can't afford the $50 registration fee?
Simply let your congregation's youth program or religious education staff know you need a scholarship. They are available upon request.
Can you accommodate my youth's dietary/accessibility/other needs?
We will do everything we can to make the Con accessible for all. This is a central principle of the Con. Please make sure your youth includes a detailed explanation of their needs on the Con registration form. We will be in touch with any questions or if we need support to meet their needs.
Still have questions?
Please contact your congregation's youth program or religious education staff!