High School Program
Photo by Emma Trisolini
Who Is in the High School Program?
The High School program is open to young people who have
completed ninth grade, and have not yet turned 19 as of July 1, 2012.
Welcome From the High School Coordinators
We whole heartedly welcome you to join more than one hundred high school-aged Quakers from all over North America in one of the most spiritually uplifting experiences of your life.
High schoolers are housed together and create their own self-governing community (with a little help from their adult f/Friends). The program includes workshops, worship, support groups, an afternoon out-trip, interest groups and a final celebration. There are also opportunities for dancing, sports, singing, committee work, sleep and hanging out.
Twice during the week, the entire high school program convenes for a meeting for worship with attention to business. These meetings are integral to our community-building process; we seek discernment of the Spirit and hold relevant issues in the Light.
Choose a Morning Workshop
For many participants, workshops are the heart of their Gathering experience. Some workshops are designed specifically for high schoolers or high schoolers and young adults. Intergenerational workshops include several high schoolers along with other adults. You are also welcome to register for the "Open to All" workshops. Short descriptions of workshops will be available online by January 1. Consider workshop selections carefully, as program participants must attend their assigned workshop throughout the Gathering.
Shared Expectations
The high school program is a unique and wondrous community. All who participate are asked to commit to the safety and health of all community members, to use common sense and to meet the following expectations:
- No sexual activity is permitted;
- No illegal drugs or alcohol are allowed;
- All participants attend the entire Gathering and all required activities;
The complete program guidelines will be mailed in advance of the Gathering, as will the all-Gathering expectations. These may also be viewed online.
The general Gathering expectations also apply to all in the High School program. This includes the helmet expectation:
Friends of all ages are required to wear helmets when using wheeled vehicles (e.g., bicycles, skate boards, roller blades). Pedestrians have the right of way and vehicle operators should be cautious in their presence. Use of these vehicles on access ramps, steps, and inside buildings is prohibited and may be further restricted by campus regulations. This policy does not apply to users of personal mobility devices (e.g., wheelchairs) or registered motor vehicles.
We welcome people with specific needs of a medical or non-medical nature. If a young person, parent or sponsor believes the young person has any needs of which the program should be aware, they should contact the coordinators.
High School Parents & Sponsors
A sponsor is a parent, family member or other conscientious person 25 or over who knows the high school program participant well. If the sponsor is not the parent, the sponsor should be someone who is actively concerned with the young person's activities and well-being. We request that a sponsor be responsible for no more than two high schoolers. Both the participant and sponsor must be fulltime Gathering attenders residing on campus.
High schoolers may not arrive before sponsors or remain at the Gathering after sponsors have departed. Please make travel plans accordingly. The sponsor (or designated alternate) must be on campus (or with the sponsee) at all times during Gathering. Alternate sponsors are designated in writing in advance. Complete sponsor guidelines may be viewed at our website in June, and will be explained in detail at the high school sponsor orientation on Sunday evening. Submit High School registrations no later than June 10. Late fees begin June 1. All participants, even those already 18, must identify their sponsor when registering for Gathering and submit a parental release form.
