2008 Pre-Conference Information For Parents and Teens...

DIRECTIONS

Peace of Christ,
Kevin Driscoll
Diocese of Gary Office for Youth & Young Adults
CYX Coordinator

CHECKLIST/ WHAT TO BRING: [  ] Donation for Kids Caring 4 Kids. Thanks! [  ] Dress is casual, but modest. If a teen’s dress is deemed inappropriate for a Christian event, adult leaders reserve the right to ask that teen to change into more appropriate attire. Please heed the CYX Dress Code: DRESS CODE... Dress should reflect the value of modesty. Shirts must have sleeves on them. Writing on clothing must reflect Christian values. Modest bathing suits required (no "speedos" or bikinis) for swimming. Caps, hats and other headgear are allowed but should be removed during prayer and liturgy celebrations. [  ] Swimming attire & towel (if teen chooses to swim during Saturday free time) [  ] Sleeping gear. Dorms are supplied with only a pillow, pillowcase and simple blanket. Each participant should plan to bring any additional sleeping gear. Unless you are informed otherwise, your dorm is air conditioned. You may bring a small, personal fan, but you will likely not need one. [  ] Bathing towel/washcloth. Shower facility is a shared usage. Includes curtained stalls. [  ] Personal toiletry items (shampoo, soap, toothbrush/paste, etc.) [  ] Small amounts of spending money. CYX t-shirts will be for sale ($10 for 2008, $5 for garage sale items), as well as various Christian-themed t-shirts and items. Keynoter Sal Solo may sell CD’s and other items, and Lowell’s own The Average Church Band may sell their praise & worship CD as well. Valpo U. vending machines sell candy & snacks. The Valpo Bookstore is open during Check-In time to sell Valpo U. items. [  ] Insurance card/ID [  ] Prescription drugs may be given to the group leader for distribution. If a parent(s)/guardian(s) chooses to allow the child to self-medicate, they should communicate this desire to group leader(s).

 
During the registration process, teens, parents and adult chaperones agreed to a code of conduct that is fair and necessary to allow effective ministry to take place. The safety and well-being of our youth is taken seriously. Group leaders assume responsibility for matters involving participants, but during the weekend we are a village, so all adult leaders will assist each other whenever possible.

TEENS ARE TO ABIDE BY THIS CYX RULEBOOK:

• Never leave event grounds without adult permission.
• Dress should reflect modesty: Shirts must have sleeves on them, Writing on clothing must reflect Christian values, Modest bathing suits required (no "speedos" or bikinis) for swimming.
• Inappropriate language, behavior, and dress will not be tolerated.
• Socializing should always be done in public areas.
• Boys' dormrooms and girls' dormrooms are on separate floors. Any teen who is found on the floor of the opposite sex for any reason is subject to immediate removal from CYX.
• Participants are expected to honor "Lights Out." Teens will get more out of CYX if they are well-rested! All teens should be in their own rooms after Lights Out time.
• All participants are expected to be on time for all large group sessions and learning sessions.
• Out of respect for all participants, speakers, and presenters, cellular phones are to be turned to their OFF or SILENT settings during all sessions. Please restrict phone calls to parent/guardian check-ins and emergencies. Text messaging is not allowed during large group sessions and learning sessions.
• Nametags MUST be worn at all times.
• Zero tolerance for possession and or use of weapons, illegal drugs, and alcohol. You will be sent home.
• Smoking is not permitted.
• Weapons and/or drug paraphernalia are not allowed.
• Please respect the campus of Valparaiso and St. Teresa of Avila. Any costs of damage to campus or St. Teresa property will be assessed to the participant(s) and/or his/her group..

Infraction of these rules can mean immediate dismissal from CYX. Participants will be held accountable by parish leaders, approved diocesan staff, Valparaiso University authorities, Valparaiso University Police, and St. Teresa of Avila adult leaders as well.

If a teen needs assistance throughout the weekend:

1. See the group leader first.

2. A diocesan representative will always be available 24 hours a day for assistance, as well. They can be found at these locations:
• CYX Central (during large gp. & learning sessions: St. Teresa Office Building.)
• Wehrenberg Hall (12:30am-8:30am)
• Camp Lawrence (Saturday 3:00 - 11:30pm)

Nursing and Counseling Services are available. Please contact CYX Staff for these services.

Incidents, Security, Emergencies, Safety, etc.

A diocesan representative will always be available 24 hours a day for assistance. Depending on the time, they can be found at these locations:
• CYX Central (during large gp. & learning sessions: St. Teresa Office Building.)*
• Wehrenberg Hall (12:30am-8:30am)*%
• Camp Lawrence (Saturday 3:00 - 11:30pm)

*- In the event of a problem or emergency, Kevin Driscoll, Diocesan Coordinator, and the group leader will be located. Permission Forms will remain in a file folder and be available at the locations listed above. Nursing and counseling services are available. Contact a diocesan representative at the locations above.

%- It is essential that adult leaders get the sleep they need to perform their chaperone duties during the day! We ask that each adult leader does a “bed check” at lights out time (find another adult to assist you with opposite sex teens). All teens must remain in their own rooms after Lights Out time. Once bed checks are accomplished, group leaders can retreat to their rooms and an overnight crew will ensure that no problems occur. If a teen should encounter a problem, the group leader will be awakened and notified.

The campus is patrolled by armed Valparaiso University police 24 hours a day for serious matters.

For security purposes, all youth are strongly urged to participate in the entire weekend. If youth should need to leave for any reason, permission must be granted by the Diocesan Coordinator (Kevin Driscoll). If any youth have such a conflict and wish to depart or arrive at different times, please have parent/guardian contact Kevin Driscoll in advance (office, 219-769-9292 x229 ). A sign-in, sign-out sheet MUST be completed by the youth and his/her group leader. That sheet can be found at CYX CENTRAL or at the locations listed above.

Directions to Valparaiso University:

From Interstate 65:
In Merrillville, pick up US 30 East. Proceed about 12 miles to Valparaiso. Turn left at the stoplight at State Road 130 (Sturdy Road). (Speedway Gas at NE corner of intersection). Enter at first Valparaiso University entrance on left, take immediate right onto Frontage Rd.,and follow road bend to the left. Wehrenberg Hall is on left.

From Interstate 80/90 or 94:
In Chesterton, exit at Indiana 49 South and go about 10 miles and turn on to US 30 West. Go west about 1/4 mile and turn right on to State Road 130 (Sturdy Road). (Speedway Gas at NE corner of intersection). Enter at first Valparaiso University entrance on left, take immediate right onto Frontage Rd., and follow road bend to the left. Wehrenberg Hall is on left.

Download and print the official CYX 2008 Parking Map, which includes directions and Check-In/Check Out routes. Know where you're going once you get to Valpo!

Arrival/Check-In (Friday afternoon):

• Diocesan Youth Council reps are considered part of your groups for the weekend, but at times may meet with Kevin Driscoll. Additionally, DYC reps are asked to arrive Friday by 9am.

• Lunch is not provided on Friday. Please consider stopping for lunch en route to Valpo, or bring a sack lunch and have a group picnic on campus!

• To avoid confusion, please download and print the 2008 Directions/Parking page, which includes check-in/check-out routes and other important information. New in 2008: a traffic circle near the dorm/St. T. area and a parking garage. FINALLY: ample parking nearby!!

• Please plan to arrive closer to 1pm. This will allow your group a chance to check-in, move stuff into dorms, stretch out a little, and familiarize yourself with the campus. Also, praise & worship starts at St. Teresa at 2:30pm, and we don’t want anyone to miss a single minute of CYX!

• Check-in will be held between 1pm - 2:30pm, Friday, July 18th, at Wehrenberg Hall (dormitory). The designated group leader should check in in the lobby of Wehrenberg. ONLY one designated group leader will be allowed to check-in, issued keys, meal cards, nametags, etc. If teens are arriving individually, they will NOT be allowed to check-in. The entire group should be present before the leader checks in the group. Bag checks are required (see above).

• Groups should present final payment at check-in. A financial statement including a total amount due will be mailed and/or emailed to you prior to CYX. If payment arrangements need to be made, please contact Kevin in advance to avoid delay/confusion on the 18th!

• There is a $30 charge for lost keys and a $10 charge for lost meal cards.

Check-Out/Pickup (Sunday afternoon):

• Participants are expected to be packed up and ready to check out of their rooms during a designated check-out time, following lunch Sunday and prior to Closing Liturgy. (During this time, those persons with vehicles on-site may load their items in their vehicles.) During the closing liturgy (St. Teresa of Avila, 2:30- approximately 4pm), items may be left at a designated open area in Wehrenberg Hall. Every effort will be made to secure this area. You may also choose to store items in the back of St. Teresa.

• Designated group leaders should collect and then turn in keys/meal cards for everyone in their group.

• The CYX Closing Liturgy with Bishop Melczek is open to anyone, including and especially parents! All drivers have two options for parking:
   - Any available and marked parking spaces on the north part of Valparaiso Campus near the four dormitories or in the parking garage. These spaces are closest to Wehrenburg and a short walk to/from St. Teresa. Easiest for loading items from dorm.
   - St. Teresa of Avila: Closest to Closing Liturgy. Parking off either Lincolnway or LaPorte Ave.

• The estimated conclusion of Liturgy is approximately 4:00 at St. Teresa of Avila.

Mass collection:

A number of participants this year took advantage of the scholarship monies made available through generous donations to the Office for Youth & Young Adults. I am happy to report that everyone who applied for a scholarship was provided some financial assistance.

To ensure this remains the case for future OYYA events, we will have a special collection that will be designated specifically for scholarship purposes. Each participant-- youth and adult-- will receive an envelope with their conference welcome bag. When it comes to stewardship, every little bit counts, and this is a good opportunity to remind your teens that God calls ALL to responsible stewardship, not just adults!

CYX Service Project:

All CYX participants are asked to participate in a service project to benefit Kids Caring 4 Kids. (Read more.)

Faith & Fun:

Remember in “Office Space” when the annoying restaurant manager talks about “flair?” Well, we like flair, too!: COME READY TO SHOW YOUR YOUTHFUL SPIRIT! Hats, buttons, costuming, some groups make t-shirts, you get the idea! Tough to top Nativity’s tutu’s (06), St. Edward’s crab hats (04) or St. James’ grass skirts (07), but I’m sure you’ll think of something! Yes, we speak the Gospel message at CYX. But we express it in our very own unique language!