Register for upcoming Youth Conferences below

Youth conferences are for those who wish to grow, share, and care in community. We welcome all youth. The group thrives in the wide diversity of spiritual traditions that our attenders bring. We practice and experience the testimonies of peace, equality, simplicity, integrity, and community in a variety of ways.
Youth Directors Martin and Sarah Glazer lead the conferences with support from a variety of passionate and talented facilitators.


Check out our updated Covid safety protocols


Calendar of Upcoming Events


What is a youth Conference?

It is a place to be safe and open, a time to rest and reflect, and a group in which to feel deep relationships. You bring yourself and not much else: a commitment to respect and be present for the other attenders, some clean clothes, a willingness to be open to the experiences that present themselves, and anything that is listed in the confirmation letter. It is a weekend to step back from the busy world and leave behind the stuff that clutters our lives. We sing, dance and slouch on the couch. We swim, sled and swing. We play games, learn names and share a massage. We sit, we run and we nap. In the midst of all that, we connect with ourselves and each other.


Age Groups

There are four different age groups for most of our conferences. Larger “Song” conferences are for 7th through 12th graders.

  • 4th & 5th grade

  • 6th to 8th grade

  • High School (9th to 12th grade)

  • Young Adults (older than high school age)


Timing

Most conferences begin with registration at 6:00 p.m. on Friday evening and dinner is at 7:15 p.m. Conferences end after lunch at 1:15 p.m. on Sunday unless otherwise noted. Sunday worship (singing and silence) is from 11:15 - 12:15, we strongly discourage pick-ups during this time.


Registration

Register early! Space is sometimes limited. Please register at least three weeks before the first conference you would like to attend. Find a conference and register online here.


Typical Fee

The fee for a typical youth conference is $220. First-timers receive the $60.00 Youth First-Timer Discount, and if you register for two or more conferences at the same time the fee for each will be $180.

There is an additional $40 late registration fee if you register less than one week before the event. Last minute registrations take more time to process and confirm, as well as taking significant time away from preparations for the event.

Our Fee Structure

Typical weekend-long youth conference: $220
With First Timer’s Discount: $160
Multiple Event Sign Up Discount: $180/per conference

Contributions

Guest fees only cover 50% of our operating budget. The balance is raised through fund appeals. We encourage and appreciate any contribution you can make to help. All contributions are tax-deductible.


Financial Aid & Discounts

Scholarship monies are available for those who need them.  Pay what you can. Write the amount of aid you need for each conference on your registration form.  There is a $60 discount for first timers. Don't forget that your local Meeting may also be a source of assistance. 

Our sources of financial aid include the Mark Seiler Memorial Fund, NYYM Black Concerns Committee, Nine Partners Quarterly Meeting, and several monthly meetings.

Frequent Attenders Discount

If you attend two or more conferences in a season you can receive $40 off for each conference. Register for two or more conferences at the same time to receive this discount.  

Typically our seasons are Fall/Early Winter (September - January) and Late Winter/Spring (February - June).



Confirmation & Cancellation

Confirmations are mailed approximately two weeks before each conference. If you must cancel, call us immediately, as we often have a waiting list. If you cancel by 5 p.m. the Friday one week before a conference, your deposit will be credited to another conference, or returned. You will be notified if you are on the waiting list.


Parent Discount & Sojourning

Parents who have a child attending the youth conference can attend the adult program at the same time for half price. 

An adult conference usually costs $230, so the parent may ask for a discount of $115.

You can ask for the discount when you register for the adult conference.  There is a "parent discount" button on the on-line registration form when there is an adult conference and a youth conference at the same time.

If space allows, a parent might also sojourn and eat meals with the adult group , but not participate in the adult conference.

As space allows, a parent may also stay ( aka: sojourn, personal retreat) in Pitt Hall when there is not a program for the same cost of $115 for the two nights.  Cereal, coffee and tea are available in the morning, but other meals are not provided.

Sojourning is not usually an option if Pitt Hall is rented out to a community group or a closed function.



Travel

Make sure we know your travel plans at least 72 hours prior to each conference.

Carpooling

Whether you need a ride or if you have room for riders in your car, please check the carpool box on the registration. We will make one list and send it to everyone on the list.

Train

From points south, Amtrak stops in Hudson at 5:15. From the west Amtrak stops at the Albany/Rensselaer station at 7:00 p.m. (www.Amtrak.com for reserving tickets and more info).

You will need to arrange for a taxi from the station to Powell House.  (Green Bee We Taxi Service 518-392-0461). If you check the box on the registration form, we’ll send you a list of other attendees traveling by train.   We are about 30-45 minutes from the train stations.  The Green Bee We taxi service is one of our neighbors and we have sent our own kids with her.  Her phone number is: (518) 392-0461


At the End of the Conference

Those leaving by car should by picked up by 1:30.

Those traveling  by Amtrak train should arrange to be picked up at Powell House an hour before their train is scheduled to depart.  We are 45 minutes from the Hudson train station (south bound folks) and 45 minutes from the Albany-Rensselaer station  (west bound and north).



What to bring with you & What to leave at home

Bring

We supply bed linens and towels. Bring casual clothing and outdoor wear. During swim season bring swim suits and beach towels; during winter, ice skates. Powell House has a stereo system for CDs and connection for MP3 players, so you may bring appropriate music to share with your friends.

Do Not Bring

Please leave radios, cell phones, laptop computers, and other electronic devices at home. Cigarettes, other tobacco, e-cigarettes or vaping, illegal drugs and alcohol are not allowed at conferences.

Food

Tasty, nutritious vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals and snacks are provided. Please do not bring your own snacks and food unless you speak to Sarah or Marty first.


Lost & Found

Items are only kept one month, so claim them immediately. There is a $8.00 + postage charge for mailing lost items. Labeling clothes helps get them home.


Germs travel quickly here, and it’s no fun being at a conference when you don’t feel well enough to fully participate. We will either return or forward your deposit to the next conference. Just let us know as soon as possible. We'll look forward to seeing you next time.

If you have a contagious illness please stay home





A Response to the Syrian Refugee Crisis by Powell House Youth