Answers to the most frequently asked questions
What about?
More questions? Maybe this will help. Dig into this FAQ to find answers to common questions about the rally.
Is there onsite registration?
No, there is no onsite registration.
I can’t remember what I registered for?
Click on the personalized link in your confirmation e-mail. Then click on your underlined name to see all of your registration choices.
I registered, but now I can’t go. Can I get a refund? What’s the cancellation policy?
Refunds will be allowed (less a $100 cancellation fee that covers BGSU CES’s administrative fee) prior to May 29. No refunds for any reason after May 29.
Do I bring my own pillow and blanket?
Your rally fee includes bed linens, pillow, blanket, towel, and washcloth. Towels can be exchanged at the front desk daily. Please bring your own toiletries and other personal items.
Who can attend?
The rally is intended for teens finishing up eighth grade through graduating high school seniors as of spring 2026.
I want to go! What should I do?
- Talk with your parents and pastor/youth leader.
- Direct them to the Youth Leader page.
- Share info with your friends at church.
- Stay up to date with rally news on Instagram.
- Get the adults and the teens excited and start planning, and we’ll see you in Ohio!
What do rallygoers need to know to complete registration?
1. Explore welsyouthrally.net for workshops, and use the REGISTER page to find helpful forms. Registration opens in March!
2. Youth, use the medical release worksheet to gather necessary information.
3. Read the consent forms.
4. Youth and youth leaders pay the same rally registration fee.
What if I am having problems registering?
Please contact:
Conference and Event Services, Bowling Green State University
Anna Johnston Registration Coordinator
All communication with BGSU will be via the e-mail address above.
I’m a high school student and don’t have $450. How is this possible?
Talk with your youth leader. Together your youth group can come up with a plan to fundraise. There are some great ideas on the Youth Leader page, plus with your creativity there’s plenty to get your group started!
Where do I stay? What do I eat?
The registration fee covers lodging from Tuesday night through Friday morning at the Bowling Green State University residence halls, seven meals, snacks, and all rally activities.
How do we handle roommates?
The contact youth leader will assign roommates. Rallygoers will be separated by gender. Youth leaders will be housed near but not in the same room with their youth group. Youth leaders will stay with leaders from other churches. Married couples will not be allowed to room together. Any singles “left over” will be paired with those from another church. BGSU CES will provide the contact youth leader with a template to complete roommate assignments that must be returned to them.
I belong to a tiny church; I’m the only teen. Can I still go?
Yes, we call it piggybacking. Youth can join a group from another congregation that is attending. Talk with your parents, pastor, or youth leader at your church. There’s probably a nearby congregation that you can connect with!
I have special dietary needs. Will I starve?
The Bowling Green State University dining service accommodates all sorts of special diets. During the registration process you will have the opportunity to indicate your needs.
Will this be a week of religion classes? Is this any different than my Christian high school?
If you have the privilege to go to a Christian high school you are probably wondering is the youth rally any different?
Have you ever said the Lord’s Prayer and sung worship songs with 2,000+ teens? Probably not!
The youth rally will be the chance to listen and discuss topics that you deal with every day from a Christian perspective (let’s talk dating, anxiety, witnessing to a sinful world). You can take notes, but there won’t be a test!
On campus, there is plenty of fun too! There will be nightly entertainment; concerts; expansive recreational spaces for football, soccer, tennis, and sand volleyball (equipment will be available); FOOD; and spots to hang out with friends.
Will there be service opportunities?
WELS International Youth Rally is working with two great organizations to provide youth the opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus.
WELS Christian Aid and Relief is teaching about compassion ministry with a hands-on project. The youth groups will have the opportunity to make tied-ff fleece quilts, cards of encouragement, and LEGO® creations for three groups of people: service providers, elderly, those in need. The youth group will then deliver the care package to someone in their community. To get involved with this opportunity, youth leaders should sign up by May 29, at this link.
WELS Mission Journeys is partnering with Christ Lutheran Church/Iglesia Luterana Cristo in Denver for their Annual School Supply Giveaway/Open House. Over the past ten years this event has distributed more than 4,000 bags to families in need. The event leads to prospects, baptisms, and new members for this local church!
How can youth at the rally help?
- If every youth brought just one school supply we would have a stockpile of 2,800 items to give away! WOW!
- It’s easy, if you are driving or flying, everyone can fit a small item into their bag!
- Or do you have an extra bag to check? Or room in the bus? Fill a box/bag as a group. The choice is yours!!!
What are we looking for?
- Pencils
- Erasers
- Glue sticks
- Crayons
- Composition Notebooks (wide rule)
- Spiral Notebooks (wide rule)
Once at the rally?
Bring your items to the WELS Mission Journeys table in the Durrell Center.
Is there onsite registration?
No. The rally has reached capacity.
Where do I send the check?
This information is on the invoice that was attached to your confirmation e-mail.
*If you are paying by CREDIT CARD, please call 970-491-6222 with your information – DO NOT e-mail credit card information.
Make check payable to “Colorado State University” and mail to:
Conference & Event Services
Attn: WELS International Youth Rallly 2024
8037 Campus Delivery
Fort Collins, CO 80523-8037
Event registration is not complete until full payment has been received.
For questions: Contact Conference & Event Services at 970-491-6222 or [email protected]
I can’t remember what I registered for?
Click on the personalized link in your confirmation email. Then click on your underlined name to see all of your registration choices.
I registered, but now I can’t go. Can I get a refund? What’s the cancellation policy?
Refunds will be allowed (less a $100 cancellation fee that covers CSU CES’s administrative fee) prior to May 28. No refunds for any reason after May 28.
What should I pack?
Do I bring my own pillow and blanket?
An XL twin-sized bed, bed linens, blankets, bath linens, and a pillow are included. Please bring your own toiletries and other personal items.
Who can attend?
The rally is intended for teens finishing up eighth grade through graduating high school seniors as of spring 2024.
I want to go? What should I do?
- Talk with your parents and pastor/youth leader.
- Direct them to the Youth Leader page
- Share info with your friends at church.
- Stay up to date with rally news on Instagram
- Get the grown-ups and the teens excited and start planning, and we’ll see you in Fort Collins.
What do rallygoers need to know to complete registration?
1. Explore welsyouthrally.net for workshops and excursions, use the REGISTER page to find helpful forms.
2. Y, use the medical release worksheet to gather necessary information.
3. Read the “Terms and Conditions.” For Y, a parent will be asked to electronically acknowledge this form during online registration.
4. Discuss as a group if you are going to choose an optional off-site excursion which will be in addition to your registration fee. A YL from YOUR group must accompany Y. All members of the group do not need to choose the same excursion (or any excursion) as long as a YL accompanies Y going off-site.
5. Y and YL pay the same rally registration fee.
What if I am having problems registering?
Please contact CSU Conference & Event Services (open Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. MT): 970-491-6222 or e-mail [email protected].
I’m a high school student, I don’t have $410. How is this possible?
Talk with your youth leader. Together your youth group can come up with a plan to fundraise. There are some great ideas on the Youth Leader page, plus your creativity there’s plenty to get your group started!
Where do I stay? What do I eat?
The registration fee covers lodging from Tuesday night through Friday morning at the Colorado State University residence halls, seven meals, snacks, and all rally activities.
How do we handle roommates?
The CYL will assign roommates. Rallygoers will be separated by gender. YL will be housed near but not in the same room with their Y. YL will stay with leaders from other churches. Married couples will not be allowed to room together. Any singles “left over” will be paired with those from another church. The residence hall rooms have single, twin beds. Most rooms house two. Bedding, pillow, and towels will be provided. CSU CES will provide the CYL with a template to complete roommate assignments that must be returned to them.
I belong to a tiny church, I’m the only teen. Can I still go?
Yes, we call it piggybacking. Talk with your parents, pastor, or youth leader at your church. There’s probably a nearby congregation that you can connect with!
I have special dietary needs, will I starve?
The Colorado State University dining accommodates all sorts of special diets. During the registration process you will have the opportunity to indicate your needs.
Here is some helpful information from CSU dining centers:
- Menus
- Nutrition calculators
Enter in the search bar “Colorado State University”
Will this be a week of religion classes? Is this any different than my Christian high school?
If you have the privilege to go to a Christian high school you are probably wondering is the youth rally any different?
Have you ever said the Lord’s Prayer and sung worship songs with 2,000+ teens? Probably not!
The youth rally will be the chance to listen and discuss topics that you deal with every day from a Christian perspective (let’s talk dating, anxiety, witnessing to a sinful world). You can take notes, but there won’t be a test!
Plus, your group can choose off-site excursions for an additional fee (past years have included river rafting & hiking & more).
On campus, there is plenty of fun too! Last year nightly entertainment included Fish Sticks comedy on the big stage; concerts; expansive recreational spaces for football, soccer, tennis, and sand volleyball (equipment will be available); FOOD; and spots to hang out with friends.
July 14-17, 2026
MISSION STATEMENT
The WELS International Youth Rally exists to ensure that the next generation knows Christ, trusts his promises, and is prepared to serve Christ’s church with a clear, confident Lutheran faith.
50 YEARS OF YOUTH RALLIES
The rally exists to provide youth and youth leaders from across the synod a large-scale worship, education, fellowship, recreation, and service opportunity that deepens commitment to Christ and his church.