What is Junior Gathering?
- Home base for newborns to rising ninth graders (Click here for High School program)
- Where young people learn, play, and thrive at the Young Adult and Youth (YAY) Gathering
- A time for games, songs, and stories
- A place to make friends and experience Quakerism with Friends from across the continent
- Full of fun and educational Quaker-based activities led by a diverse, caring, and skilled staff
Junior Gathering offers:
- Morning program (10am-noon), while teens and adults attend workshops
- Inter-Gen activities (1:30-4:30 PM) for all ages to play and learn together
The Junior Gathering staff were great- full of lightness and love.
Sprouts Parent
Age Groups
Participants are placed in age-based groups during the YAY Gathering. We aim for a child to staff ratio of 4:1 for older children, 2:1 for toddlers, and 1:1 for infants. Junior Gathering staff strive to keep our Junior Gathering community engaging, nurturing, inclusive and welcoming of all children and families.
Learn more about Junior Gathering age groups by clicking the + symbols below. Please keep in mind that group structure and age ranges change from year to year, and are not finalized until youth registration closes.
Preparing for Junior Gathering: Visit this link for packing lists and other steps to get ready for Junior Gathering!
Acorns: Infant, Toddlers, and Preschoolers
Acorns is our group of youngest Friends, including infants, toddlers and preschoolers. Infants spend the morning as they would at home. Our experienced staff support each child’s needs of feeding, diapering, napping, comfort and care. Older Acorns spend the mornings in a variety of spirited outdoor activities, including water play, ball play and tricycle (car, fire engine!) riding. They will sing songs, hear stories and make beautiful crafts. Acorns are lovingly supported and cared for by a coordinator and well qualified support staff. Please indicate special needs, including nap times, on the parental release form.
Children in this age group must be signed in and out of the group by a responsible adult.
Sprouts: Early Elementary
Sprouts is our early elementary group. They spend their mornings with peers and are lovingly supported and cared for by a coordinator and well qualified support staff. Activities are planned by the coordinator and can include anything from art-making to singing, dancing, outdoor play, and worship. Many activities are tied to the Gathering theme and are designed to introduce children to Quaker testimonies and values.
Children in this age group must be signed in and out of the group by a responsible adult.
Saplings: Middle Elementary
Saplings is our middle elementary group. They spend their mornings with peers and are lovingly supported and cared for by a coordinator and well qualified support staff. Activities are planned by the coordinator and can include anything from art-making to singing, dancing, outdoor play, and worship. Many activities are tied to the Gathering theme and are designed to introduce children to Quaker testimonies and values. In the evenings, Saplings participate in all-Gathering worship and then join together with other Junior Gathering groups for relaxed outdoor play.
Children in this age group must be signed in and out of the group by a responsible adult.
Pine Trees: Older Elementary
Pine Trees is the older elementary group. Pine Trees spend their mornings with peers and are lovingly supported and cared for by a coordinator and well qualified support staff. Activities are planned by the coordinator and can include anything from art-making to singing, dancing, outdoor play, and worship. Many activities are tied to the Gathering theme and are designed to introduce children to Quaker testimonies and values.
Children in this age group must be signed in and out of the group by a responsible adult.
Oaks: Middle School
Oaks are the oldest Junior Gathering participants, typically those who have completed at least one year of middle school (rising 7th-9th grades). Oaks is a time to explore leadings, discover more independence and create a Quaker community with Friends from across the continent. Every year, Oaks Co-Coordinators develop a dynamic program that may include worship, workshops, games, check-ins, discussion, and recreational activity choices. Some activities may be tied to the Gathering theme, and include explorations of identity, spirituality, and Quaker faith and practice. Oaks are the only group at YAY Gathering to have an evening, as well as a morning, program session, from 8:30-9:30pm.
Outside of Junior Gathering, youth and parents begin practice setting boundaries as youth build independence and trust. Oaks can sign themselves in and out of the program (with parent/sponsor permission). We encourage families to check-in regularly, preferably several times a day. It’s important to stay in touch throughout the day, so we strongly suggest meeting up:
- at meals
- during the afternoon
- during the evening, right after program time
Parents and sponsors, we remind you that you are in charge of setting boundaries and enforcing those boundaries during the mornings before program time, all afternoon, and evenings outside of the scheduled session. The dynamic community we look forward to creating every year comes together best when parents/sponsors, Oak participants, and staff work together to ensure a safe and happy environment for everyone.
Supervision of Children during Gathering
Parents or sponsors are responsible for supervision of their children at all times except during Junior Gathering programming. All-ages worship, intergenerational time in the afternoons, and evening programs are times when YAY Gathering staff and volunteers will offer activities for all ages, that families can enjoy together. Plan to spend all meal times, afternoon free times, and evenings together as a family, or sharing childcare with other families.
A Typical Day in Junior Gathering
8-9am Breakfast
9-10am All-Ages Worship
10am-Noon Junior Gathering Morning Program (parents/sponsors in workshops)
Noon-1:30pm Lunch
1:30-5:30pm Afternoon Family Time
- InterGen activities 1:30-4:30pm Capture the Flag, pickup sports, crafts, puzzles, games, and more!
- Rest time 4:30-5:30pm
5:30-7pm Dinner
7-8:30pm Evening Program— all ages together
8:30-9:30pm Oaks group evening session
11:00 Quiet Time and Room Curfew – all Oaks Participants must be in their own rooms.
If you want to learn more about Junior Gathering or have questions, please contact the FGC Young Adult and Youth Ministries Coordinator.
