Junior Gathering
Join our staff!
Opportunities may still exist for adults to be part of Junior Gathering. Read more about joining the Junior Gathering staff.
General Information
Junior Gathering is a vital part of the Gathering, nurturing young Friends, from newborns to 8th graders. We have planned a spiritually-based week of fun, learning and community. Each group meets in its own space, morning and evening. The groups are coordinated by Friends experienced with children, assisted by other Gathering attenders bringing a variety of gifts.
For the very youngest Friends (infants through kindergarteners), Junior Gathering provides a rich, nurturing, Spirit-filled program with abundant staffing. Each morning children worship, learn, and have fun with indoor and outdoor play. Evenings are especially relaxed, and relatively unstructured.
Children who are currently in 1st through 4th grades will consider our theme, Courageously Faithful, while spending time with similarly aged friends (old and new), working on projects, singing, worshipping, playing and learning. All groups will have a broad mix of activities—indoors and out, quiet and active. Groups will be composed of children similar in grade and age, balanced for group size.
Young Friends in 5th and 6th grades (Group J) will indicate a preference of workshop when they arrive at Gathering; this takes place during open house on Saturday evening. Young Friends in 7th and 8th grades (K Group) will choose from their own array of morning workshops at a mandatory orientation meeting (including their parents) at 9:00 pm on Saturday evening. Both of these groups spend a portion of each evening in small worship-sharing groups and the remainder in less structured free choice activities with their entire group.
Family Time
Junior Gathering program times are mornings (between breakfast and lunch) and evenings (during plenaries). At all other times parents are responsible for supervision and activities of their children.
- The Family Place offers a gathering place for play, reading, relaxation and some organized activities each afternoon as well as a central point for sharing of resources and care.
- Multi-Generational Activities include Capture the Flag on Sunday afternoon and Passion Attraction on Monday.
- Tuesday Evening Plenary is for all ages; there will be no evening Junior Gathering program on Tuesday.
Registration
Registrations for Junior Gathering must be submitted (online or by mail) no later than May 31. Please use care in providing accurate and precise dates of birth and of grade level when registering your child. If your child is homeschooled, use the grade level they would be in if they were enrolled right now, and additionally indicate that they are homeschooled. Please note that we are not able to accommodate part-time participation in Junior Gathering.
Parental Release Form: Registration for each child must include essential medical and emergency information. Download and print copies of the Parental Release Form from the Gathering website or request forms by mail. Return all completed forms by fax or mail to the FGC office. Let us know any special needs your child may have. Help us prepare to give your child the best possible week by sharing with us joys, struggles, achievements, challenges and/or recent significant changes in your child’s life.
Preparing for Gathering
Children will receive welcome letters from their coordinators in mid-June. Please read and discuss the letter with your child. This will help establish shared expectations.
Orientation
There is a mandatory orientation meeting for K Group attenders and their parent or sponsor, and “open house” orientation for all other Junior Gathering groups Saturday evening.
