FAQ
What is a youth gathering?
A youth gathering is an opportunity for youth from 8th - 12th grade to gather as one community in order to meet other Lutheran youth, worship together, serve together, and play together. It is an inspirational and inspiring trip for any teen.
Where and When is this event?
The next national youth gathering is July 15 - 19, 2015 in Detroit, Michigan.
Where will you stay?
The ELCA works very hard to assign each congregation to a hotel in the area of the gathering. We do not have a choice in our location or hotel, but we are guaranteed lodging.
How will you get there?
We fly!
How many people go to a youth gathering?
In 2012, we took 15 youth from WLLC. The total amount of people at the gathering was about 36,000.
That is a LOT of people. Is it safe?
Yes. Our own group from WLLC stayed together at all times. The ELCA also provides many safety features throughout the gathering. All youth are required to wear bracelets the entire time. These allow them access to all gathering events. Those without bracelets are not allowed to attend. On the bracelet is an emergency help line where a gathering staff member will assist if needed.
What if my child gets lost or separated from the group?
For traveling purposes, we split the youth into small groups with one of the adult leaders. One leader may have been in charge of 6 or 7 kids when entering or exiting the large gathering space or traveling through the airport and security. This helped to ensure all youth were with an adult at all times. Since the crowds were large, being in our smaller groups helped us to stick together. We also exchanged cell phone numbers with everyone and printed out lists for each youth.
If this isn't until 2015, why are you telling us about it now?
The trip is in 2015, but registration and fundraising begins WAY before then. We will begin to ask for commitments in the fall of 2013 and registration fees. We are telling you now so that you have time to think it over.
How much will this trip cost?
That will depend on the amount of fundraising we are able to do. We start in 2013 so we can raise as much as we can for the trip. In 2012, we estimated the trip to cost around $1300 per person. We were able to raise enough money so that each youth had to pay very little out of pocket. The more you show up and help us raise, the better off we will be. The estimated cost included lodging, travel, and all meals. The youth only had to pay for their own souvenirs.
How can I be a chaperone?
This is a trip for the youth and not adults so we must limit the number of adults that we bring with us. We will be sure to let everyone know, once we know how many youth are definitely going, if we need any additional chaperones.
Is there any more information available on the gathering from the ELCA?
At this time, there is not a whole lot of information. They are still in the early planning stages of the next gathering. You can follow their progress through their facebook page or the ELCA Youth Gathering Page.
I have more questions. Who can I ask?
Our first interest meeting will be held on Sunday, April 27th at 4:30pm in the fellowship hall. If you have questions you would like answered before then, please email [email protected]
A youth gathering is an opportunity for youth from 8th - 12th grade to gather as one community in order to meet other Lutheran youth, worship together, serve together, and play together. It is an inspirational and inspiring trip for any teen.
Where and When is this event?
The next national youth gathering is July 15 - 19, 2015 in Detroit, Michigan.
Where will you stay?
The ELCA works very hard to assign each congregation to a hotel in the area of the gathering. We do not have a choice in our location or hotel, but we are guaranteed lodging.
How will you get there?
We fly!
How many people go to a youth gathering?
In 2012, we took 15 youth from WLLC. The total amount of people at the gathering was about 36,000.
That is a LOT of people. Is it safe?
Yes. Our own group from WLLC stayed together at all times. The ELCA also provides many safety features throughout the gathering. All youth are required to wear bracelets the entire time. These allow them access to all gathering events. Those without bracelets are not allowed to attend. On the bracelet is an emergency help line where a gathering staff member will assist if needed.
What if my child gets lost or separated from the group?
For traveling purposes, we split the youth into small groups with one of the adult leaders. One leader may have been in charge of 6 or 7 kids when entering or exiting the large gathering space or traveling through the airport and security. This helped to ensure all youth were with an adult at all times. Since the crowds were large, being in our smaller groups helped us to stick together. We also exchanged cell phone numbers with everyone and printed out lists for each youth.
If this isn't until 2015, why are you telling us about it now?
The trip is in 2015, but registration and fundraising begins WAY before then. We will begin to ask for commitments in the fall of 2013 and registration fees. We are telling you now so that you have time to think it over.
How much will this trip cost?
That will depend on the amount of fundraising we are able to do. We start in 2013 so we can raise as much as we can for the trip. In 2012, we estimated the trip to cost around $1300 per person. We were able to raise enough money so that each youth had to pay very little out of pocket. The more you show up and help us raise, the better off we will be. The estimated cost included lodging, travel, and all meals. The youth only had to pay for their own souvenirs.
How can I be a chaperone?
This is a trip for the youth and not adults so we must limit the number of adults that we bring with us. We will be sure to let everyone know, once we know how many youth are definitely going, if we need any additional chaperones.
Is there any more information available on the gathering from the ELCA?
At this time, there is not a whole lot of information. They are still in the early planning stages of the next gathering. You can follow their progress through their facebook page or the ELCA Youth Gathering Page.
I have more questions. Who can I ask?
Our first interest meeting will be held on Sunday, April 27th at 4:30pm in the fellowship hall. If you have questions you would like answered before then, please email [email protected]