Coming soon: Gathering Expectations comic!

• Event Expectations
• COVID Health & Safety Policy
• Site Expectations
  • Dress Code Guide

Event Expectations

The Young Adult and Youth (YAY) Gathering seeks to be a community of Friends living in the discipline of the Spirit. It is a rare opportunity for personal spiritual growth and sharing. We endeavor to balance the opportunity for individual seeking with the challenges of living together. We respond with respect and support to the best efforts of host site staff, event staff and volunteers, and registrants alike.

An All-Age Event. The YAY Gathering includes programs for adults, children, and teenagers.  All attenders are asked to make the YAY Gathering a safe and supportive community for children and elders alike. Parents and sponsors of all Junior Gathering participants are expected to be actively responsible for their children at all times when they are not in Junior Gathering sessions.

Quiet Time. Quiet time is expected to be respected in and around all dorms between the hours of 11:00 PM and 7:00 AM.

A community of respect, free from harassment. Friends General Conference, in keeping with Friends’ historical concerns for equality and justice, is committed to providing environments which are free of discrimination and harassment. Intimidation or sexual harassment, both overt and subtle, will not be tolerated at the YAY Gathering. Actions, including words, jokes, or comments, which demean groups or individuals will not be tolerated. This includes for example: ethnicity, race, age, gender, sexual identity, or orientation, faith and religious belief, or physical or cognitive abilities. All allegations will be investigated thoroughly and fairly. A copy of the Harassment Policy is included in the packet distributed at check-in.

An event for registered attenders.  YAY Gathering programs and facilities are restricted to registered attenders, except for the limited “open to the public” events published on the website and use of the dining hall when cash sales are permitted by the host site. In no case is someone who has not registered for the YAY Gathering permitted to stay overnight on campus.

Helmet safety for all ages.  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), golf carts, or registered motor vehicles.

Prohibited items. Alcohol, recreational marijuana, fireworks, and sparklers are not permitted.   Use or possession of illegal drugs is prohibited.  All host site buildings and facilities are smoke free.

The YAY Gathering is not an appropriate event for pets; do not bring them. Working service animals are permitted on campus.

FGC may ask any Friend unable to function within these guidelines to leave the YAY Gathering.

Adopted 3/21/15, modified and approved by LRCP 3/07/20, 02/26/22

Covid Health & Safety Policy

YAY Gathering will abide by FGC’s COVID Health and Safety Policy – read the full policy & infographic here.

Site Expectations

Colombiere Retreat and Conference Center has a dress code that they have asked us to share with YAY Gathering participants. See below for more details.

FGC event staff are aware that dress codes are often discriminatory, and/or vulnerable to discriminatory enforcement. Colombiere personnel will be asked to address any dress code related concerns with FGC staff rather than with individual attenders.

Dress Code Guide

Clothing that will meet Colombiere’s dress code requirements:

• Clothes that cover your torso (back, chest, stomach), are not see-through, and don’t show your underwear. No spaghetti straps.
• Shorts, skirts, and dresses at least as long as your fingertips.
• Long and loose top extending to mid-thigh if wearing leggings or yoga pants.
• Footwear required at all times.
• Nothing ragged or torn.