Young Friends

From Aimee Belanger, Interim Young Friends Session Coordinator

Greetings Young Friends!

It is with great joy that I introduce myself as the Interim Young Friends Sessions Coordinator! Most of you already know me as a Resource Person or as the Young Friends Assistant Coordinator from Sessions 2009. I am very excited to be stepping into this role for the summer, and am already at work putting together an awesome staff, and planning for this year's Jubilee inspired program. Below you will find a list of things to pack for Yearly, answers to common questions, and more information about this year's theme! If you have any additional questions, need assistance with anything to help you attend Yearly Meeting, or just want to say hello, please don't hesitate to call or email me. I cannot wait to see you all in August! —Love, Aimee (508) 863-0643.

What is Yearly Meeting like for Young Friends?

Yearly Meeting Sessions is the annual business meeting and gathering for Quakers of all ages in New England, with about 750 people attending. The Young Friends (YF) program, which includes living together in a dorm, is for those who have completed grades 9-12. There will probably be about 60 YF’s with 16 adult Resource People.

Can I come without my family?

Yes, however, each Young Friend needs to have an adult sponsor, even if you’re 18. A sponsor is one of your parents or another adult who is attending Yearly Meeting and who agrees to come to the Saturday orientation meeting (3pm on Saturday, August 7th) and to check in with you periodically during the week. This person also accepts the responsibility of caring for you in the case of injury or illness, or working out consequences in the case of commitment violations. If you don’t know any adults who are attending Yearly Meeting but are interested in coming, let me know and I will help you find a sponsor. You must send in the Youth Health/Permission Form with your registration, no matter what. (the form can be downloaded from this website, filled in, and sent via email using the latest version of Adobe Reader software).

What do we do during the week?

In keeping with the spirit of Jubilee, this Yearly Meeting is going to be a little different from previous years. NEYM has decided to lay down all but the most necessary business items in order to spend more time resting, playing, singing, rejoicing, giving thanks, visioning, and just being together as a community. In the morning, we will have Bible Half Hour/Spiritual Journey presentations given by Young Friends, and Meeting for Worship. There is then a block of free time for lunch, napping, playing games, etc. In the mid-afternoon Young Friends have a choice of activities or more free time. We then meet for about an hour of program before dinner. This year, we will have Intergenerational Worship and Vespers after dinner as the sun sets. Each evening we have a different evening program—a chance for us to build community, explore the theme of Sessions, and have fun. Following evening program, we have affinity groups before more free time. All Young Friends are on their floor of the dorm by 10:30pm for floor meetings—a time to chat about the day, play games, hang out, etc. Wednesday we hold our annual Coffee House and Dance.

What do we do in Business Meeting?

• Exciting! This year, instead of holding our regular Business Meetings, Young Friends have decided to join with Young Adult Friends and the wider Yearly Meeting to conduct two Intergenerational "Meetings to Hear God's Call."
• Young Friends Nominating Committee has been meeting throughout the year, and will present their nominations for Young Friends Ministry & Counsel Committee, as well as Clerk, Recording Clerk, and the Young Friends Crier Editor.
• As always, Young Friends will pick retreat topics for the upcoming year.

What do I bring?

Bryant provides beds and we get 3 meals a day at the dining hall (the beds are in the dorms), plan to bring everything else: comfy summer clothes, SHEETS, BLANKETS, TOWELS, bathing suit & beach towel (for the pool & our beach trip), umbrella and/or rain coat, alarm clock, musical instruments, music you like to dance to, either on a CD or MP3, pajamas you don't mind being seen in (and, if you have them, DINOSAUR PAJAMAS), sunblock, journal (if you keep one)

Expectations: Please Read Carefully

We have developed expectations over the years for those who want to be part of the Young Friends community at Yearly Meeting. We ask you to think about them, understand them, and make a personal commitment to live by them while at Sessions. Respect of other people and the place we are staying is fundamental to our community.

Agreement with these expectations is essential for our life together:

1. I agree to participate in the program: to attend meetings, talks, outings, etc., that are scheduled and to get enough sleep to do so cheerfully and alertly
2. I agree not to bring or use alcohol or drugs during Yearly Meeting, nor to be sexually intimate and/or exclusive.
3. I agree to be socially inclusive and to help build a loving, safe, and joyous Young Friends community while at Yearly Meeting.

If there is any behavior at our conference, within or outside of our Quaker community, that upsets or disturbs you, it is important that you report this to your sponsor and the Interim Young Friends Sessions Coordinator. We want everyone to be safe and comfortable. We are all looking forward to the community we will be forming together. Young Friends get to have their own dorm and a lot of freedom at Sessions because of the trust and respect they have earned over the years through being a responsible, respectful and fabulous group of young people. Young Friends who are unable to uphold the expectations listed above, may be asked to leave the dorm and/or program. If you have any concerns about the expectations or want some support in meeting them or have questions about anything, email Aimee Belanger or call (508) 863-0643.

Don't forget to register and see you in August!