High School Program Guidelines

These guidelines have been created and approved through the High School Gathering’s Meeting for Business in the Spirit of Worship and reflect our collective wisdom on creating a safe and nurturing community. Acceptance of these guidelines is indicated by attendance in the program.

Each year, we review the guidelines to insure that they still serve the purpose of helping us to create community and keep each other safe. We have found through experience that behavior contrary to these guidelines can lead to hurt feelings. fractured community, and physical harm. Certain guidelines are all-Gathering policy and therefore cannot be changed, but if the Business Meeting determines that certain HS-only guidelines no longer serve our purpose, they may be changed. Participants who are unable to function within the context of the High School Program and/or Gathering guidelines may be asked to spend time away from the program (housing with parents/sponsors) or may be asked to leave the program.

Please note that a high school participant cannot register at Gathering until a parent/sponsor has arrived, so please make travel plans accordingly.

1. In general, each participant is expected to treat all persons at the Gathering with respect, and to respect the property of Friends and of the University.

Reason: Self explanatory.

2. No illegal drugs or alcoholic beverages. This is not only a High School Program guideline but a Gathering policy as well.

Reason: Apart from the obvious legal implications, use of mind-altering drugs undermines the purpose of the community. It can lead to disruptive behavior and reduced ability to participate in the program.

3. High School participants will refrain from sexual activity during the Gathering.

Reason: This is dictated by the purpose of the Gathering: to create a spiritual community. It is also a commitment made to the larger Gathering and to parents to observe for the conditions upon which they support the High School Gathering.

The intensity of relationships at the Gathering can affect individual judgment, leaving persons open to exploitation or to consenting to actions they would not engage in at home.

Further, couples tend to give less attention to group activities and other participants. Sexual activity intensifies this distraction and brings further isolation from the group.

Those who are sexual partners prior to the Gathering indicate by their attendance their agreement to remain celibate during the week, in order to participate on the same basis as others.

4. Smoking guidelines are determined by the High School Business Meeting.

Smoking has been a major area of concern within the High School Program for several years. The following guideline has evolved over many Gatherings. The most recent changes were approved by the High School Program during Meeting for Worship with a Concern for Business in 2005.

5. No one is to visit at any time in the High School Dorm who is not registered for the FGC Gathering. This is not only a High School Program guideline but a Gathering policy as well.

Reason: We have no commitment on the part of non-registrants to respect the purpose of the program, nor have we control over their conduct. In the past we have had disruptions.

6. High School Dorm residents are to be in the dorm by midnight each night for check-in. Only High Schoolers and staff can be in the dorm after this time. The Business Meeting will decide whether to allow Young Adult Friends to join us for the midnight videos. After 2:00am, all residents are to be in their assigned rooms.

Reason: Counselors must know that their counselees are in for the night. The midnight check-in allows counselors to go to bed at a reasonable hour. The 2:00am curfew provides a check on a natural tendency to talk and play all night, which can result in burnout and reduced participation in the program.

7. All participants must attend their workshop and their support group each day unless excused by their counselor. You are expected to arrive on time and to stay until the activity is over.

Reason: The workshop provides the main focus for the week. The support group is a place for giving and receiving support, getting to know a few people well and for keeping informed about events and activities. Sporadic attendance or late arrival can disrupt the process and lower the trust level
in the group.

8. During High School Program quiet hours, set by the Business Meeting, participants are not to play music or talk loudly in the High School Program dorm. Outside of the dorm, all-gathering quiet-hours are from 11:00 pm-7:00 am and should always be respected.

Reason: Everyone is to have time to sleep or relax in quiet.

9. High School Dorm residents may visit in other rooms at all times except between the hours of 12am and 7am, when you are expected to be in your own room. Doors are to be kept open when visitors are in the room.

Reason: Privacy and the need for sleep must be respected. Keeping doors open is a sign that the host values the community's respect, and strengthens the community's trust in one another.

10. All participants in the High School Program must attend the orientation sessions. Parents/sponsors must attend the first session.

Reason: It is important that everyone be familiar with the program, and that each person participates in the decision-making that sets the tone for the week.

11. No fireworks or sparklers. This is not only a High School Program guideline but a Gathering policy as well.

12. At the close of the Gathering, all rooms are to be cleaned by the persons using them. Approval by the designated counselor is required before leaving the Gathering.

Reason: No one is to leave their room in a condition requiring cleaning by others. Additional fees may be imposed by the University. Such fees can be required to be paid by the participant, the sponsor or the family.

High school community minute on smoking

Beyond legal considerations there is the growing discomfort of many Friends of all ages that we are failing young people by taking the easy way out on this difficult issue. Faced with the fact that smoking is addictive and harmful to health of those who smoke and those who breathe smoke second hand, love compels us to act. Our goal is not to create the appearance of a smoke free high school program by forcing smokers underground, but to do what we can during the week to help people quit and to discourage others from starting.

In various years, Friends have minuted the importance of the history of this minute and the weight of the smoking issue. The need to continue to re-visit and discuss it each year is imperative, so as not to lose a sense of ownership and to show extreme care, love and respect to one another in this sensitive matter.

The following guidelines for smoking were approved:

• There will be no smoking in University buildings.
• There will be no smoking within fifty feet of buildings.
• There will be no smoking on walkways located near buildings.
• There will be no designated areas for smoking.
• Butts should be properly disposed of.
• Those who are unable to function without smoking a cigarette will be asked to smoke outside, away from non smokers and to voluntarily refrain from turning smoking activity into an extended group social interaction.
• Those who need to smoke after curfew will ask a counselor to accompany them outside for a brief smoke and then return promptly to the dorm.
• Those who smoke will be asked to observe a strict "no bumming" rule as a means of discouraging people from starting to smoke.
• A group will be formed, open to people who smoke, those who do not smoke, and those who have been able to quit, to explore how best to support each other and free ourselves from this addiction.