NCYC 2023 Group Leader Packet
General Information
What is the National Catholic Youth Conference?
The National Catholic Youth Conference is the celebration of Catholic youth in the United States. NCYC is organized by the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM), which is composed of diocesan leaders and collaborating members from across the United States. This conference typically draws thousands of young people and adults from all over the country. NCYC includes a wide variety of opportunities for our young people to encounter Christ and His Church.
There are normally five general sessions featuring nationally-known speakers, one each morning and night, as well as a Saturday evening Mass. In between the general sessions are breakout sessions and the chance to visit the thematic village to interact with Catholic vendors and have fun. Eucharistic adoration and reconciliation are also important parts of the NCYC experience.
NCYC is meant to be a pilgrimage, which can be easy to forget, as we are blessed to live so close to Indianapolis. As pilgrims, we prepare for God to transform our hearts and to unite us more deeply in communion with Himself and with each other.
This Year's Theme: Fully Alive
This Year's MCs: Sister Josephine Garrett and Mari Pablo
This Year's Keynote Speakers: ValLimar Janson, Brian Butler, and Sister Jude Andrew
Featured Artist: For King & Country
When and Where is NCYC?
NCYC begins Thursday, November 16 and ends the night of Saturday, November 18. (Teens should plan on missing school both Thursday and Friday for NCYC.)
Because NCYC ends late on Saturday, we ask that groups staying at the hotel remain until Sunday morning. This allows us to have time together as an archdiocese on Saturday night to process the experience and to ensure that groups do not put themselves at unnecessary risk by driving home exhausted.
The NCYC team will be hosting a Thursday afternoon rally for all Archindy participants (adults and teens) at the JW Marriott followed by a Mass held especially for our archdiocese
Tentative Thursday Schedule (All groups, whether commuting or staying at the hotel, are warmly welcomed and highly encouraged to attend all events on Thursday) 10:00am-12:00pm: Groups are invited to arrive at the hotel to check in with us. 12:00-2:00pm: Rally @ JW Marriott w/ Diocese of Lafayette 3:00-4:00pm: Archdiocesan Mass at the Convention Center 4:00-4:30pm: Archdiocese Participates in Eucharistic Procession 6:30pm: Doors Open for General Session @ LOS 7:00-7:45pm: Opening Concert @ LOS 7:45pm: General Session Begins
The conference will be held at the Indianapolis Convention Center at 100 S Capitol Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46225 and at Lucas Oil Stadium at 500 S Capitol Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46225.
Who Can Attend NCYC?
NCYC is for high school teens (grades 9-12) and their chaperones. Participants must be in at least 9th grade to attend. Parents of teens are also highly encouraged to attend but must agree to serve in the capacity of a chaperone while at NCYC.
Faith Mentors (Chaperones) Adults will serve as chaperones for the pilgrimage. Each group must have at least two adults for the first 16 teens, and one adult for each additional eight. It is helpful to have a mix of men and women.
Please be aware that all participants will have long days; it is important to have adults who will be models of faith, patience, and joy even when tired. While all adults are helpful in keeping the teens safe, the adults who attend NCYC are also responsible for helping the July 20, 2023 3 teens grow deeper in their faith. As faith mentors, chaperones will be able to help youth participants understand the ways God is working in their lives at NCYC and beyond.
To equip our adult chaperones to serve in this important role, there will be adult leader formation sessions offered throughout the archdiocese in September and October. All chaperones will be required to attend one of these formation sessions. Dates will be posted by the end of August.
Adult Expectations
All adults (over the age of 18 and out of high school) must have completed a criminal background check and the archdiocesan safe environment training (Safe Parish). Our archdiocesan group must be 100% in compliance. We will check each adult on your roster to ensure that these requirements are met. Adults that are unwilling to submit a background check request or complete the Safe Parish training (which is available online) are not able to attend NCYC.
All adults will be expected to abide by the "Adult Code of Conduct" of the Archdiocese. We will review this code of conduct at our adult formation meetings.
Youth Expectations
Youth must use the buddy system while at NCYC. A teen should never be on his or her own. Once the conference begins, youth are expected to participate with their parish groups. They are not to wander around downtown unsupervised.
Code of Conduct
The Code of Conduct and the Safe Environment Guidelines by the Archdiocese of Indianapolis should be reviewed with every participant (Youth and Adult Chaperone). All participants are to abide by the codes of conduct or parents/guardians will be contacted and the participant will be sent home on his/her own expense. The Codes of Conduct are available in Spanish.
Hotel Room Sharing Market
We recognize that it can be difficult to fill your hotel rooms to capacity based on the breakdown of your group. The Hotel Room Sharing Market will be open this year to help you either fill empty spots in your reserved rooms or seek additional rooms/spots from other parish/school groups. Access to this sharing market will be emailed out to group leaders.
Transportation & Parking
With the conference being local, the Archdiocese of Indianapolis will not provide for any transportation needs. It is the responsibility of the group to provide their own transportation to/from the conference. Self-park is available near the JW Marriott (for a lower price than hotel self-park for $52/day). Check downtownindy.org/get-arounddowntown/park/ for options as well as parking apps like ParkWhiz and SpotHero. For motor coach and bus parking information, please call Gate Ten Events and Parking at 317-737- 2036 or 855-2GO-PARK; Website: gatetenevents.com
June 26
Early bird ticket request deadline (Tickets can be requested until October 15. Please note that requests do not guarantee tickets for your group.
July 23
Hotel Room Requests are due
August 24
Ticket Request Deadline #2
Local Scholarship Applications due
September 10
Individual Registration Forms due in Permission Click
September 23
Ticket Request Deadline #3
September / October
Adult Leader Formation Meetings (There will be a series of Adult Formation Meetings for all adult participants to attend locally throughout the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. Once those dates are finalized, they will be communicated to group leaders.)
October 1
Safe Environment Verification due for Adult Leaders
Hotel Rooming Lists due
October 15
FINAL Ticket Request deadline
NFCYM Legal Agreement submission due for all adult and teen participants (agreement sent directly to adult/parent emails from NFCYM)
November 7
Mandatory In-Person Group Leader Meeting @ the Catholic Center (options: 11-12pm and 7-8pm
November 16-18
National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC)
December 7
Parish Assessment Deadline for the Office of Youth Ministry
**Disclaimer: Please note that items in this packet are subject to change as needed. NCYC is an event that is continually being planned and modified at the national level up until November and can cause unexpected changes that may require our archdiocesan group to pivot or modify our current plans.