YC’09 Leader Update
Some things you need to know about bringing a group to the convention
Registration and Fees
The final deadline for registration is May 31. The registration fee is $350. This covers room, meals, insurance, and convention costs.
Refunds: The balance less $100 deposit of a paid in full registration will be refunded if notice of a cancellation is given before May 31. After May 31, you may transfer the full amount to another person but there will be no refunds.
For those who might be staying off-site or who are arranging their own YMCA lodging apart from the YC’09 convention, there will be a $50 per day charge ($150 for whole convention) to attend the convention. This does not include meals. It does include insurance, program, and the $10/day YMCA charge. Please be sure to check in at the registration desk if you are in this category. You will be given a day pass that will allow you to participate in the sessions.
Check-in Procedures
The convention begins with check-in at 4:00 on Sunday afternoon.
If you arrive early you may explore the YMCA of the Rockies grounds, check out the coffee shop and the gift shop in the Administration Building. Or you may want to explore nearby town of Estes Park with all its fun shops and eating places. Wayne Stender will be leading games between 3:00 and 4:30 in the field across from the Administration Building.
When you arrive with your group, your leader (you or another chaperone) will come to the YC’09 registration office in the lobby of the WGR Auditorium (above the Cafeteria) while everyone else will chill with some impromptu recreation on the big field in front of the big Administrative Building. They can walk around and explore the campus if they want. Instructions and room assignments will be given to the leader. She/he will be given a tour and packets for each student. After that the leader will bring the rest of the group to their rooms and pass on the information that was received by the registration people and tour guide.
Each registrant will get a lanyard (to hang around their neck) with a name tag and key to their room. This lanyard and nametag is their pass to get into the dining hall and convention sessions. It will cost a person $10 for any lost keys.
The packet given to each registrant, along with the lanyard, name tag and key, will also include a “YC’09 Magalogue” which contains the convention program, instructions, Bible study questions, the schedule, and other very important information on the convention. There will also be promotional gifts and info in the packet.
Housing
The YMCA provides bedding and towels. The rooms are like hotel rooms -- each with their own bathroom and shower. They give us fresh towels every other day. Four to five people will stay in a room. In July we will be asking youth group leaders for room assignment lists.
YC’09 Schedule
Sunday
4:00 p.m. Registration *
3:00 p.m. - 4:30p.m. Organized group games **
5:00 p.m. Dinner ***
6:45 p.m. General Session 1 *
8:30 p.m. Youth group meetings
9:15 p.m. Concert with Agape *
11:00 p.m. Everyone in dorms
11:30 p.m. Lights out. Everyone in rooms.
Monday
7:00 a.m. – 7:30 a.m. Leaders’ devotional time ****
7:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. Breakfast ***
8:00 a.m. Prayer and Scripture reading for all
8:30 a.m. General session 2 *
10:15 a.m. Breakout session 1
11:15 a.m. Breakout session 2
12:15 p.m. Lunch ***
1:30 p.m. 10 minute youth group check in
2:00 p.m. Dodgeball Tournament **
2:00 p.m. Recreation options
5:00 p.m. Dinner ***
6:45 p.m. General Session 3 *
8:30 p.m. Youth group meetings
9:15 p.m. Concert Lost & Found *
11:00 p.m. Everyone in dorms
11:30 p.m. Lights out. Everyone in rooms.
Locations:
* WGR Auditorium
** Big field by flags
*** Aspen Dining Room
**** Rainbow Fireside Room
Tuesday
7:00 a.m. – 7:30 Leaders’ devotional time ****
7:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. Breakfast ***
8:00 a.m. Prayer and Scripture reading for all
8:30 a.m. General session 4 *
10:15 a.m. Breakout session 3
11:15 a.m. Breakout session 4
12:15 p.m. Lunch ***
1:30 p.m. 10 minute youth group check in
2:00 p.m. Volleyball/ Basketball Tournaments **
2:00 p.m. Recreation options
5:00 p.m. Dinner ***
6:00 p.m. General Session 5 *
7:50 p.m. Youth group meetings
8:00 p.m. Evening Options
9:45 p.m. Concert: Shaw McDonald *
11:30 p.m. Everyone in dorms
12:00 a.m. Lights out. Everyone in rooms.
Wednesday
7:00 a.m. – 7:30 Leaders’ Devotional time ****
7:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. Breakfast ***
8:00 a.m. Prayer and Scripture reading for all
8:30 a.m. General session 6 *
10:15 a.m. Youth Group meetings
11:15 a.m. Pack up and check out
12:15 p.m. Lunch ***
1:30 p.m. leave
Recreation/Free Time
There will be time for extra recreational activities on Monday and Tuesday from 2:00 to 5:00. There will be scheduled activities:
Monday afternoon: Ultimate Dodgeball Tourney
Tuesday afternoon: Slam Volleyball Tourney
Tuesday evening: Darkness Capture the Flag
Free Recreation Activities
There is LOTS of recreation that is free that can be enjoyed during the afternoon free time. Besides some organized activities that will be announced, there is:
• Basketball
• Fishing
• Hiking
• Horseshoes
• Swimming in an indoor pool
• Mini-golf
• Sand volleyball
• Softball
• Tennis
• Wildlife viewing
• Game room - ping pong, pool table, foos ball, marble football
• Skate park*
*For those who would like to use the skate park they must bring their own skateboard and HELMETS ARE REQUIRED. Furthermore, a required waiver MUST be filled out and signed by parents/guardians. This waiver form will be sent to you upon request.
Though the above activities are free, the park requires a deposit of $5-$10 to check out the equipment.
Deposits
• Board games...$5
• Frisbee...$5
• Puzzles...$5
• Tennis Racket/3 balls...$10
• Day Packs...$5
• Horseshoes...$5
• Child Carrier...$5
• Mini-Golf...$5
• Ice Skates...$5
• Ping Pong...$5
• Foos Ball...$5
• Videos...$15
• Basketball, Football, Soccer ball, Volleyball, Softball & Bat...$10
• Pool Table...$10 plus $1 per hour user fee
Craft and Design Center
The Craft and Design Center is 5000-square-feet of craft space that continues to offer “old favorite” crafts along with many new ones for kids ages 2-92. They offer tie-dye, a jewelry section (thousands of beads), ceramics to glaze or paint, woodcrafts, & mosaics. There may be a cost for crafts.
Recreation Activities to Schedule Ahead of Time
There are many activities offered at the YMCA of the Rockies that your group my want to take part in during afternoon free time, or before or after the convention. To schedule the following events, visit the websites or call the phone numbers provided.
• Fly fishing – www.sasquatchflyfishing.com
• Horseback riding – jacksonstables.com
• Mountain biking – www.coloradobicycling.com
• Challenge Course – (970) 586-3341 ext 1106
• Outdoor Climbing Tower – 970-586-3341 ext 1106
• Rafting – www.rapidtransitrafting.com
Information on all these recreational activities can be found at
http://ymcarockies.org/home/our-locations/EPC/EPCrecreation
** A waiver MUST be filled out and signed by a parent/guardian in order to do the rock climbing. Log onto the YMCA website to download the waiver.
Besides these activities inside the YMCA, there are many other possibilities outside the camp. The Rocky Mountain National Park adjoins the YMCA campus on three sides and includes endless trails to hike and explore. The Trail Ridge Road (over 12,000 feet above sea level) is the highest paved road in America. You will need a National Park pass to get into the park.
Within a few miles of the YMCA is “Fun City” were you can rent go-carts, bumper cars, slide down a Super Slide, and jump on a Salto Trampolino (like a trampoline + bungee).
Seminars
We had an overwhelming positive response to the seminars hosted at YC07. Just as we did last time, we are planning on offering fresh seminars with dynamic, relevant speakers and presenters teaching on topics that relate to students and leaders alike.
• The Fight Against American Christianity – Brandon Pangman
• Making the Most of High School – Tony Rogness
• Timothy Project* – Greg Anderson
• God’s Yup and Nope – Matt Oxendale
• Help I’m a Church Kid – Michael Levang
• Time with Lost and Found
• Hip Hop, Culture, and Christianity – Dave Scherer AKA “Agape”
• Mean Girls – Liv Ronnevik
• Guys Only – Dean Rostad
*This seminar is a four-session Youth Ministry training seminar intended for college-age chaperones as well as students who have just graduated from high school.
Students do not need to sign up for seminars ahead of time, but if they want, they can begin thinking about which seminars they would like to attend.
You as a leader will have the opportunity to attend the seminars with the students.
Concerts
Shawn McDonald is a 28-year-old singer-songwriter from Seattle, WA. Shawn mixes his faith with abundant musical talent as a singer/songwriter to create moving storylike epics and praise anthems.
Agape (Dave Scherer) has inspired youth from San Juan, Puerto Rice to Spokane, WA with his relational ministry “Hip Hop Outreach.” Using Rhythmic American Poetry (rap,) he is able to reach the young people of today in a way that they really “get it.” He combines dancing, rapping, storytelling and his fluency in Spanish to captivate his audience and challenge them to explore their faith in God. With his passion for diversity, he invites people to bridge the gaps that exist in today’s society. He has produced three CDs and travels across the county with his ministry.
Lost and Found is a Christian rock band from the United States. While happy to wear the title, Lost And Found never sought to be labeled as a "Christian band." The style of their music is called speedwood; a genre or subgenre of their own creation, also referred to as acoustic thrash. The band consists of two members. Michael D. Bridges plays guitar and George R. Baum plays piano, recorder, drums, and occasionally the slinky.
Role of the Leaders
• Model fun – Join in the fun and games. Playing along side your students will gain you more respect then you can image – plus, it’s a lot of fun!
• Model learning – We trust that you will grow in your faith at the convention too.
• Build Relationships – Trips like this are ideal for building relationships with the youth. A heart-to-heart discuss may be the thing they remember most from the convention.
• Lead Discussion – Help the students apply what they’ve learned as you discuss it in small group times following the evening sessions.
• Pass on Information – We will have 10 minute check-ins after lunch, during which you can connect with your students and brief them on the rest of the day.
We want to make this convention a fun experience not only for the youth, but for you as leaders too. We hope to equip you by giving you information, like this packet, so you can know what to expect when you arrive. During the convention, we will have leader meetings at 7:00 each morning to give you more details about the day.
Park Information
The YMCA of the Rockies is situated at over 8000 feet above sea level. The altitude does strange things to those who are not used to it. Altitude sickness can affect anyone, no matter what age or fitness level. You may notice shortness of breath and in some cases also experience fatigue, dizziness, headaches and nausea. In order to avoid altitude sickness, be sure to drink plenty of water. The sun burns much more quickly in higher altitudes. Therefore, be sure to use sunscreen and wear sunglasses.
There are usually wild animals (mostly elk) wandering through the camp. They look tame, but they are NOT. Please inform your youth that these animals are wild and should not be approached. Watch them from a distance. Also it is important to wear shoes when hiking (not sandals).
Packing List
A sample packing list:
• Toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, and other personal hygiene items
• Water bottle
• Watch
• Camera
• Sunglasses
• Flashlight
• Bible
• Tennis shoes
• Casual clothes (shorts, t-shirts, jeans, etc)
• Light jacket
• Pajamas
• Travel alarm
• Swimming suit (Modest)
• Pain / fever reliever
• Cold / flu / allergy medication
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