Annual Session Youth Program
North Pacific Yearly Meeting annual session is a time when we meet as a wider community of Quakers. Once here, we worship together, make plans together, listen to each other, play and make art and sing. For five days we live in a trusting community where we can open up to each other and to God.
The Youngest Friends are a "kid-centered community" within the larger NPYM community for Friends in the age range of birth through "Elementary School" (0-10). *(For more information about children from birth to age 3, please see the note below) The Youngest Friends have our own program (usually in the mornings) where we explore the culture, history, and community of Quakers. We also have snacks.
The Central Friends are a community within the larger NPYM community for Friends in the age range of "Middle School" (11-13). The Central Friends have our own program (usually in the mornings) where we work together to build a community, and discern what "Being a Quaker" means to each of us. There's also snacks.
Play As Led is a kid-centered time for Friends of all ages to chose from various activities as they feel led. There might be games, crafts, stories, songs, quiet spaces, books to read, Intergenerational Interest Groups, visiting Friends, and indoor or outdoor spaces to choose from. And of course, snacks.
We welcome infants or toddlers as part of our program, and recognize that their developmental stages require a different level of care and supervision than older children. In recent years we have not had many children in this age group attend our program without their primary caregivers accompanying them. Because of this, we haven't been able to reliably recruit Youth Program staff who feel led to work with this age group (Friends have shown up wanting to hold babies, and have left feeling understandably disappointed.) We offer two flexible options for Friendly Families with this age group, so we can work together to help Annual Session be a good experience for everyone.
Friends are welcome to join their kids in participation with the Youth Program. (This invitation is extended to all Friendly Families.) At past Annual Sessions it has been common to see family members nursing babies, rocking them to sleep, changing diapers, all while the Youth Program has continued around them.
If Friends would like to sign their infants or toddlers into the Youth Program, they are very welcome to do so. Please know that the earlier infants or toddlers are registered prior to Annual Sessions, the easier it will be for us to find a Friend who feels led to work on staff specifically with that age. This Friend would then work primarily (or only) with this age group, and give them the care that is developmentally appropriate. If we can not find a Friend who feels led to work on staff in this role, we will notify you prior to Annual Sessions, and we can work together to try and find a way forward.
Youth Coordinator
The NPYM Youth Program Coordinator works with the NPYM Youth Committee to help create a space within the NPYM community where kids can grow, connect with other Friends, and discern what "Being a Quaker" means to each of them.
Youth Program Coordinator Job Description
F.A.Q.
Why does the Youth Program Coordinator visit our Monthly Meeting / Quarterly Meeting?
The Youth Program Coordinator visits various Meetings so they can get opportunities to meet Friends and establish connections. Annual Sessions can seem really far away, and the Friends there might not be people you've ever met before. But if you've met the coordinator, you'll know at least one Friend there. And they might find someone at your Meeting who feels led to come and work with the Youth Program.
Does the Youth Program Coordinator work with the Junior Friends (teenagers) too?
The Junior Friends don't need a coordinator. They do their own coordinating. The Youth Program Coordinator works with them sometimes when they need an extra hand. Or when the Junior Friends want to collaborate with the Central Friends or the Youngest Friends on a project. If you have an idea for one, we'd love to hear it!
Who is the current Youth Program Coordinator?
The current Youth Program Coordinator is Suebear Hebner(she/her) Multnomah MM in Portland OR, she grew-up in Pacific YM, attended a John Woolman HS and Guilford College and has experience working with Youth at FGC Gatherings, and is excited to bring that knowledge with her to this position.