Travel options for the 2023 Gathering, held July 2 – July 8 at Western Oregon University in Monmouth, OR.

When to Arrive

The first Gathering event is dinner on Sunday, July 2. Any Friends who wish to are welcome to arrive Saturday, July 1 (additional charges will apply.) Some Friends will arrive Friday, June 30 to participate in pre-Gathering events or to serve in particular volunteer roles.

Before you finalize your travel plans consider reasons to arrive early.

  • Attend a pre-Gathering event.
  • Attend the mandatory training for Junior Gathering staff (starts Sunday at 10am) OR the mandatory training for High School staff (starts Saturday 9AM).
  • Explore the Willamette Valley of Oregon

Not all clusters may be available when you select early housing. Friday night housing is available only for pre-Gathering attenders and invited volunteers.

Travel Options

Car

The Western Oregon University (WOU) is located in Monmouth, Oregon, about 20 minutes west of Salem, OR and 90 minutes south of Portland, OR. View driving directions to Western Oregon University. An email will be sent about a week before the Gathering with details on where to arrive on campus for Check-In.

Carpools

Whether you are looking for or can offer a ride to Monmouth, OR, you can indicate your interest in carpooling when you register for the Gathering. You’ll receive an email from FGC to tell you how to contact other carpoolers.

Airplane

The closest major airport is the Portland International Airport (PDX), ~74 miles / 90 minutes by car from campus.

We highly recommend purchasing a refundable ticket or travel insurance, as all participants must have a negative COVID test before arriving at the Gathering.

Airport transit

Groome Transportation runs a shuttle every 90 minutes between the Portland International Airport and Salem, OR, with a stop at the Salem Holiday Inn. More information or to book.

FGC will be running a shuttle van to connect between Western Oregon University, the Salem Holiday Inn, and the Salem Amtrak Station. Registration for the FGC connector shuttle closes June 8.

We are planning the FGC connection to run during the following times:
Friday 6/30 (earliest connects to 11:45am shuttle, latest to 8:30pm shuttle)
Saturday 7/1 (earliest connects to 11:45am shuttle, latest to 8:30pm shuttle)
Sunday 7/2 (earliest connects to 9:15am shuttle, latest to 9:45pm shuttle)
Wednesday 7/5 arriving (earliest connects to 11:45am shuttle, latest to 8:30pm shuttle)
Wednesday 7/5 departing (earliest connects to 6:55am shuttle, latest to 8:40pm shuttle)
Saturday 7/8 (earliest connects to 6:55am shuttle, latest to 11:55am shuttle)

Salem is about a 25 minute drive from Monmouth. Learn more about the shuttles and how to sign up for one. We are also looking for shuttle drivers!

There is also an option on the Gathering registration form to sign up for carpooling (offer or request a ride, or to share a rental car).

We ask all passengers and drivers to wear masks during transport to limit COVID exposure leading up to the the Gathering.

Amtrak Train

For the train to Gathering, the closest station is the Salem, OR Amtrak Station. Salem is served by six trains a day.

We highly recommend purchasing a refundable ticket or travel insurance, as all participants must have a negative COVID test before arriving at the Gathering.

Luggage limitations. We recommend reading Amtrak Carry-on Baggage and Amtrak Special Items (scroll down to Baby Items) or contacting Amtrak if you have questions about luggage limitations. 

Amtrak Transport

FGC will be running a shuttle to connect between Western Oregon University, the Salem Amtrak Station, and the Salem Holiday Inn on Friday 6/30, Saturday 7/1, Sunday 7/2, Wednesday 7/5, and Saturday 7/8. Salem is about a 20 minute drive from Monmouth. Learn more about the shuttles and how to sign up for one. We are also looking for shuttle drivers!

There is also an option on the Gathering registration form to sign up for carpooling (offer or request a ride, or to share a rental car).

We ask all passengers and drivers to wear masks during transport to limit COVID exposure leading up to the the Gathering.

Public Transportation

The Cherriots Route 40X bus is an express bus connecting Monmouth and Salem. There is also one in-town bus. Lyft and Uber options in Monmouth are extremely limited.

Bus

The Salem Greyhound Station closed in January. Greyhound does serve Portland, OR.

Travel Grant Opportunities

The following grants may be able to offer assistance with covering travel costs for Gathering attenders. See the “More Financial Aid Info” page for details:

  • The Bayard Rustin Fund: for Friends of Color (apply at link)
  • Western travel grant: for Western Friends 35 and under, as well as parents of children 18 and under (apply when you register)
  • Philadelphia Yearly Meeting grant: for young adults age 18-35 from the PhlYM area (apply when you register)

Campus Map

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