About JYM Retreats
With much intentionality, delight and prayer, we come together to create a place where joy abounds, children are lovingly safe, and where a wonder of that of God and all of life is cultivated. Ensuring the safety of each child in our care is paramount. (Photo by Kevin Lee ©2019)
Who We Are
The JYM and JHYM Retreat programs are under the care and oversight of New England Yearly Meeting of Friends. Kara Price, Children and Family Ministries Coordinator, is a full-time employee of NEYM and the coordinator of both JYM and JHYM.
One of the cornerstones of JYM is our volunteer staff. We are blessed to have a core with years of experience, some stellar Young Adult Friends, some parents, and a few carefully chosen teens who serve as junior staffers. All have completed a screening and application process. They are a wonderful group of people with a variety of gifts and spiritual journeys. (Photo by Kevin Lee ©2019)
Themes and Content
Each retreat has a theme that helps us explore aspects of Friends and spirituality. Intermixed are games, chores, singing, free time, and delicious meals. We strive to be very prepared and to then be flexible enough to go where the Spirit leads during our time together. Every retreat's Staff Notes and Quotes are made available ahead of the retreat. You can download resources from some of our recent retreats below.
Being Away from Home
For some children, JYM is their first experience being away from home overnight. Children are ready for this experience at different ages. We are honored to be entrusted with this childhood milestone and are delighted to watch first-timers go home on Sunday afternoon feeling proud of their accomplishment!
Occasionally we are asked if a child can come to a retreat without doing the overnight piece. We can possibly arrange for this, but senses of personal accomplishment and shared community-building come with sleeping away from home. We have a high track record of helping children who are homesick, so be prepared to find they decide to stay with us by the second night.
Questions about sleeping arrangements are some of the most frequently asked. Young people bed down in sleeping areas as they choose, beside old or just-made new friends. Staff sleep scattered in each of the sleeping areas. Night lights are used throughout as needed or requested. Many children bring a book to read or soothing music to listen to as a way of falling asleep. (iPods with headphones are allowed at bedtime and during Quiet Hour only.) A flashlight (with extra batteries) is a very helpful tool for reading and also comforts many children in new settings. One prerequisite of all JYM Staff is being able to pop up with a smile and ask, "How can I help you?" if woken up by a child in the middle of the night.
We always have a child or two who struggles with wetting the bed and our retreat supplies include extra sleeping bags for them. Do alert us if this is a concern. You can send extra sleep wear and/or pull-ups. Encourage your child not to be overly worried about this—our staff are experts at assisting with this so that almost no one else even knows!
Parents are encouraged to speak with Kara directly regarding new children’s nighttime rituals, needs or concerns. Confidentiality is always honored.