2011 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 of supplies for Housing Opportunities campaign. Placing items in plastic grocery bags is appreciated. 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 modesty: Shirts must have sleeves on them, Writing on clothing must reflect Christian values, Modest bathing suits required (no “speedos” or bikinis) for swimming. Shorts, dresses and skirts will extend below the fingertips when arms and fingers are fully extended. Undergarments must be concealed. [  ] Swimming attire & towel (if teen chooses to swim during Saturday free time) [  ] Sleeping gear. Participants must provide their own pillow and linens/sleeping bag. Please ask your group leader if you have been assigned to an air conditioned or non-air conditioned dorm. Groups assigned to Brandt Hall (non-A/C) are encouraged to bring a small, personal fan. All participants will be lodged in an A/C dorm. [  ] Bathing towel/washcloth. Shower facility is a shared usage. Includes curtained stalls. [  ] Personal toiletry items (shampoo, soap, toothbrush/paste, etc.) [  ] Participants may wish to bring along some extra cash for souvenirs if they choose. Keynoters Noelle Garcia McHugh and William Portillo are extremely talented, and after sharing their speaking/music gifts live, they will offer CD's, DVD's and other items for sale, so teens can take the xperience home with them (appr. $10-20). Valpo U. vending machines sell candy & snacks. Coin-operated video games, foosball, pool tables, etc. are available in the game room during free time.. [  ] Insurance card/ID (will not be collected, but good to have in bag, just in case!) [  ] Prescription drugs may be given to the group leader for distribution. Teen participants are allowed to take their own medicine, however if a parent(s)/ guardian(s) chooses to allow the child to self-medicate, group leader(s) and the Diocese of Gary cannot be held responsible. [  ] Cellular phones. We recognize that many teens carry their own personal cellular phones. Teens should follow CYX Rules regarding usage. During designated times only, in the spirit of evangelization we may actually ENCOURAGE teens with cellular phones to pull them out and text the world about their CYX xperience! [  ] Incoming Seniors should plan to pack work clothes. You WILL get hot, sweaty, dirty, and love every minute of it!

 
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. Shorts, dresses and skirts will extend below the fingertips when arms and fingers are fully extended. Undergarments must be concealed.
• 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.

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: Campanile Room, 2nd floor, Harre Union.)
   • Wehrenberg Hall (12:30am-8:30am)

First Aid and Counseling Services are available. 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: Campanile Room, 2nd floor, Harre Union.)
• Wehrenburg Hall (12:30am-8:30am) *%

*- 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. Contact CYX Staff 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. All teens must remain in their own rooms.

If teens disobey CYX rules-- including and especially our dorm policies-- they are subject to immediate dismissal from CYX.

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 the west (incl. 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, then take immediate right onto Frontage Rd., Follow road bend to the left. Wehrenberg Hall is on left, Parking Ramp is on right. Continue on road toward Harre Union.
.

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, then take immediate right onto Frontage Rd., Follow road bend to the left. Wehrenberg Hall is on left, Parking Ramp is on right. Continue on road toward Harre Union.

Download and print the official CYX 2011 Parking Map, which includes directions and Check-In/Check Out routes. Know where you're going once you get to Valpo U.!

Arrival/Check-In (Saturday Morning):

• GET THERE EARLY! Suggested arrival time is 7:00-7:30am. To avoid congestion, please play close attention to the  Directions/Parking Page, which includes check-in/check-out routes. A staging area will be setup in a corded off area in the parking garage directly north of Wehrenberg dorm (same as '09). This is where mandatory bag checks will be performed and is the place for teens to wait while group leaders check in. Parents and other drivers can download area & campus directions at the website under “Directions.” The group leader only will check-in inside Wehrenberg dorm. After checking in, group leaders should then distribute room & meal cards to teens in the staging area. Teens will then place belongings inside their assigned dormroom, then proceed to Harre Union. Opening session begins at 9am sharp! Jim & the band start at 8:30.

• Diocesan Youth Council reps are considered part of your groups for the weekend, but at times may meet with Kevin Driscoll.

• Breakfast is not provided Saturday morning.

• Group leaders 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 at check-in!

• There is a $30 charge for lost keys, a $10 charge for lost meal cards, and a $10 charge when a teen gets locked out. Teens should be reminded not to go anywhere- shower included- without their room key/keycard.

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 Parish Time Sunday and prior to Closing Mass. (During this time, those persons with vehicles on-site may load their items in their vehicles.) Following check-out, participants will carry their belongings across a short walk to Harre Union. During the closing Mass items may be stored in a designated area in Harre Union. Dorms must be empty prior to Mass- items may not be picked up at the dorms after Mass, as these buildings will be closed for the weekend.

• During designated checkout time, group leaders should collect and then turn in keys/meal cards for everyone in their group to Valpo staff in the lobbies of their assigned dorm.

• The CYX Closing Mass with Bishop Melczek will be held in Harre Union. It is open to anyone, including and especially parents! Drivers should consult the Directions/Parking page to avoid confusion (the Union can be tricky to find for the first time). Pre-Mass celebration starts at 3:30, Mass starts at 4:00, and lasts until approximately 5:30pm. Parents are encouraged to arrive between 3:15-3:30 and load teens' belongings if time permits.

$pending ca$h / Item$ for $ale

Participants may wish to bring along some extra cash for souvenirs if they choose. Keynoters Noelle Garcia McHugh and William Portillo are extremely talented, and after sharing their speaking/music gifts live, they will offer CD's, DVD's and other items for sale, so teens can take the xperience home with them (appr. $10-20). Valpo U. vending machines sell candy & snacks. Coin-operated video games, foosball, pool tables, etc. are available in the game room during free time..

Cellular Phones at CYX:

We recognize that a majority of teens today carry a cellular phone. Most of them use it to stay connected to the outside world, which can be a distraction for a youth ministry event. We also respect that each youth ministry program represented may have distinct expectations for its teens regarding celphone usage. The CYX rule is clear: they are not to phone or text during any session.

In the spirit of Christian evangelization, we will periodically ask teens with phones to pull them out and text a friend or loved one telling them about their faith xperience. Participants have a power and responsibility by their baptism to spread the Gospel. Like Mark, Matthew, Luke, and John, your teens can write a Gospel...in 140 or fewer characters! Please assist us in helping your teens know WHY we allow and encourage designated cellular phone usage-- for the glory of God!

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! Yes, we speak the Gospel message at CYX. But we express it in our very own unique language!

CYX: FOR PARENTS, TOO!

Parents, admit it, once you enjoy those first few hours of peace and quiet, you start to miss those teens of yours. We've made efforts to connect CYX to parents, family members, loved ones, and friends via our website. Visit catholicyouthx.com all weekend to view LIVE video streams and follow a Facebook comment stream, too. Click here for more.