YOUTH CONFERENCES  FALL 2010

     →   Click here for information on how to register. ←

There is space in all the upcoming weekends!!  No wait lists!  Sign up now!  The youth program only accepts paper registrations, so mail it in.

First time attenders should contact us a least a week before the conference.

September 17-19       Planning 2010…….8^th to 12^th

Ideas.   Traditions.   Themes.   What we expect when we come together.  What we hope for. What we find here.  What we want to see more of.  What we want to see less of.  What we want to explore.  This is our annual look at us as a community.  Come ready to share your ideas and thoughts as we map where we’re going in the coming year.  First time attenders and new ideas are welcome too!  Jillian Smith is co-facilitating.

Fee: $110

Sept 24-26      Fruity and Nutty and Just Plain Funny………4^th & 5^th 

The Powell House grounds are loaded with nuts, fruits and other fun stuff to eat.  We’ll harvest apples, berries, walnuts and hickory nuts.   Fresh foods make the soul sing and the body healthy.  So too, do heavy doses of laughter.  We’ll find ways to make ourselves laugh, talk about why we laugh and look for ways to see the lighter side when things get heavy. 

Fee: $110

October 1-3      Surviving or Thriving …….……6^th  & 7^th

Do you know what jewel weed looks like and what it’s good for?  How about mullein? Have you ever tasted an autumn olive berry? Are pin cherries good to eat? Do you know how to make a fire or a shelter from the rain? We’ll practice ways of not just surviving but thriving in the wild out-of-doors this weekend. We’ll also spend some time thinking of ways to not only survive but thrive in the wild lands of the middle school years.

Fee $110

October 8-10      If It Were Up To Me……….…..8^th & 9^th

You all are smart.  You can look around and see what’s not working.  You have ideas of how to make it right.  So this is your chance.  Tell each other what the problems are as you see them in your sphere of influence (school, family etc…).  Then we’ll get together in small groups and design programs to help make things better.

Fee: $110

October 29-31       Cosmic Comic.………...10^th to 12^th

Two universal human traits are pondering the Cosmos (meaning of life and all that stuff) and telling jokes. Spirituality and humor – which came first? Might they be related? Why do we laugh?  How can things that make us laugh also help us reach a deeper understanding?  We will ponder such stuff along with trying to make each other laugh, eating fresh apples, and star gazing before the quarter moon rises.      

 Fee: $110.

November 5-7       Joy, Joy, Joy………….4^th & 5^th

Joy is that thing which makes you feel fully alive. It may make you want to jump up and down or run around like crazy or just sit and grin from ear to ear.So what is it? Where does it come from? Why is here? We’ll look at those things that give us joy and the way we share joy with others. Our mission is to hatch ways to fill our world full to overflowing with joy.

Fee: $110

 November 19-21        JCT 2010…….10^th to 12^th

JCT stands for junior counselor training and this is our  “work-your-heart-out” conference.  Free time is nearly non-existent.  Sessions are long and grueling.  Yet year after year attenders claim this is one of their favorite conferences ever.  Why?   Because they learn the inner workings of PoHo and they prepare to take their place among a long list of awesome JCs who nurture the community and bring the program alive.   If you’re responsible, fun loving, believe in the “idea” of PoHo and would like to become a JC, join us this weekend. 

Fee:$110 

December 3-5           It’s A Mystery…………6^th &7^th

What’s a mystery?  This conference!  It’s so mysterious in fact that even we don’t know what it’s about yet.  But we’re guessing there will be some puzzles to solve and some things to learn before it’s all over. Fee: $110

December 10-12       WinterSong 2010……..8^th to 12^th

Mystical.  Magical.

Incredible.  Real.

Join us as we gather to celebrate our amazing community and fill both houses with Light and Love.

There will be inspiring workshops, a game or two, small group discussions, simple but elegant food at the “dress-up” dinner, and the ever-entertaining, stretching-late-into-the-night cabaret.

 This is a popular weekend,  so priority will be given to folks who have participated in conferences throughout the fall.

Fee $110.

We only accept registrations for youth conferences through regular mail or hand delivery. 
It must have a parent's signature and a $30 deposit for each conference. 
(Call us if the deposit is a hardship at the time of registration to let us know.)

Click these links for a generic youth registration form that you can fill out and mail to us:

                            as a pdf file       or          as a Word document

We mail out a confirmation letter about two weeks before the event. 
If you have not received a letter by a week before, give us a call to make sure we got your registration.  

First time attenders should register three weeks before the event to get priority. 
We generally do not accept first time registrations in the last week before the event. 

 

 

 

Click here for the pdf version of the health form & medical release

www.powellhouse.org/health_form.pdf 

or a document format can be printed at

www.powellhouse.org/health_form.doc

Please print it out, complete it and  sign the appropriate spots.  If the youth is coming with someone besides a parent, then we need to have the form by Wednesday before the conference.  

We are required to have a new form for each school year. 

 It is important that you let us know about any medical issues that may arise during the weekend.

We keep all medications in the office and have a  tracking sheet of when each youth should get her or his medication.  This includes all over the counter drugs as well.  We usually have common things like ibuprofen, aspirin, and tylenol.  We require that all medications, supplements and vitamins that you send be labeled with the dose and the youth's name.  Prescribed medications  should be in the original bottle with the doctor's contact information.  

 

 

BEHAVIOR & SAFETY GUIDELINES FOR YOUTH CONFERENCES

Powell House is the conference and retreat center of New York Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers).  Its mission is to foster the spiritual growth of Friends and others and to strengthen the application of Friends’ testimonies in the world.

Youth conferences are for those who wish to grow, share, and care in a supportive and healthy community experience.  Chances are good that you will feel the Spirit here.  You will have the opportunity to explore this experience with others.  Everyone of appropriate age is welcome in this community, which emphasizes respect, integrity, and mutual responsibility. 

It is expected that those attending conferences come to be fully part of the group.
It is up to everyone to do everything they can to care positively for themselves, for the group and for Powell House while they are here.

Our deep love and concern for one another is what makes Powell House a wonderful place.
 Support, encourage, challenge, respect each other and yourself.    Be tender toward one another. Be generous with put ups.  Don’t use put downs.  Don’t tease.

 Participate!  On meal crews, in small groups, in the larger groups, during work projects, in worship.  Practice mindfulness. Listen to others share (no side conversations).   Come to group sessions when they are announced. Join in as much as you can.  Stretch yourself.   Offer a supportive and observant presence when not directly participating.

 Enjoy your friends.  Make new friends, too.  Reach out to new people.  Include everyone in your experience.

 Gathering in bedrooms can be exclusive.  Sometimes someone just needs to take a break in a quiet place.  For these reasons, we ask that people do not enter bedrooms other than the one that they are assigned to.

 Music can bring a group together or it can separate us.  Be aware of the music you bring and how it affects others. A stereo system with both a tape deck and a CD player is available for shared use at conferences.  Use of individual music playing devices is not permitted.

 Romantic relationships are part of being human but we ask that they not be part of our time together here.  

 Allergies to scented or perfumed products are increasing.  So that everyone can be here, please do not use these products while you are at Powell House.

 If you’re not sure if you should do something, ask yourself:

 Does it nurture myself?
 Does it nurture the group?
 Does it nurture the Powell House Program?

If the answer is “no” or “maybe” to any of the questions, please don’t do it.

Your staying healthy and staying whole is important to us so:

 No bare feet in the kitchen.

 Tasty, nutritious vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals and snacks are provided. Please do not bring your own snacks unless you talk to Chris or Mike first.

 Skate or swim only when Mike or Chris are present.

 Stay on the Powell House property.   Let us know if you are going away from the main buildings during free times or self-space.  Stay in the main buildings or on the patios after dark.

 Stay off the roofs.

 Give prescription and over the counter medications to us when you arrive.  We will keep them in the office for you.  They should be in their original containers.

 Do not bring alcohol, drugs, cigarettes, lighters, candles, incense or matches.

Caring for the Powell House property is a big part of our community here so:

 Be gentle on the furnishings.  No graffiti.  No destruction of furniture and supplies.

 Consume food and drink only in the dining room or common room.  Eating and drinking contests waste food and upset our cooks.  Please enjoy the food and leave enough for everyone.

 Games, craft supplies, and costumes should be put away after use.

 Lights should be turned off when rooms are not in use.

 Short showers conserve water and fuel.

Rhythm in a group is important.  There are times when we need to be active and together.  There are times when being quiet and alone opens different connections with the Spirit and with others.  Sleep is important.  The conference agenda includes session time for games and discussions.  There is free time for finding your own way into the group.   Self- space is a silent free time for individual homework, rest, or reflection. Quiet time is when attenders share backrubs and listen to stories in the common room right before bedtime. Bedtime until morning wake-up is when Chris and Mike get a break.   It’s also when you refuel for the next day.  Youth who wish to come to conferences must stay in their rooms and be quiet during this time. 
If you have questions or concerns about any of these rules or guidelines, please call us at 518-794-8811 x13 before attending a youth conference.

Peace and Joy and Friendship,
 Chris DeRoller and Mike Clark, Youth Directors