Answers you need to lead…
Let’s answer all those questions!!!
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.
How do we pay for our entire group with one check?
Each person needs to register individually and choose “pay by check/invoice.” This will allow them to finish registration. They should forward confirmation e-mails to the CYL. Gather the names, confirmation numbers, and amounts and send that information along with the check so funds are properly credited.
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.
What do rallygoers need to know to complete registration?
-
Explore welsyouthrally.net for workshops and excursions, use the REGISTER page to find helpful forms.
- Y, use the medical release worksheet to gather necessary information.
- Read the “Terms and Conditions.” For Y, a parent will be asked to electronically acknowledge this form during online registration.
-
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.
- Y and YL pay the same rally registration fee.
- All CYL and YL must pass a background check
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].
What happens at a youth rally?
WELS International Youth Rally attendees come from huge churches in big cities and small churches in farming communities, from Alaska to Florida. No matter where you come from, when you come together at a youth rally, you’re home with your family of believers.
A youth rally is designed for teens. Workshops hit timely teen topics. Performances and recreation are planned with teens in mind. There’s time to discuss issues, eat, play, and just chill.
Front and center at the youth rally is the gospel of Jesus Christ. God will use the rally as another experience that shapes the lives of teens.
What ages can attend the youth rally?
The rally is intended for teens finishing up eighth grade through graduating high school seniors as of spring 2024, a 5-year span. Some youth groups have younger and older kids involved. Please consider those cases individually. Contact the youth rally coordinator with questions: [email protected].
What do rallygoers need to know to complete registration?
-
Explore welsyouthrally.net for workshops and excursions, use the REGISTER page to find helpful forms.
- Y, use the medical release worksheet to gather necessary information.
- Read the “Terms and Conditions.” For Y, a parent will be asked to electronically acknowledge this form during online registration.
-
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.
- Y and YL pay the same rally registration fee.
- All CYL and YL must pass a background check
Who can attend?
We categorize all attendees into one of three groups.
- CONTACT YOUTH LEADER (CYL)
- The main point of contact between your church’s group and the youth rally office, the CYL must attend the rally and will be the first point of contact on-site in case of emergency, discipline, or communication for all members of your group.
- YOUTH LEADER (YL)
- Age 20 or over with a passion for encouraging youth in their faith and a commitment to supervising youth entrusted to you.
- YOUTH (Y)
- As of the spring of 2024:
- Confirmed and completing eighth grade
- Graduating senior from high school
- Anywhere in between
- As of the spring of 2024:
Note: Adult/youth ratio must be 1 adult to 6 youths of the same gender at all times during the rally.
How much is it? Do CYL, YL, and Y pay the same rate?
The registration fee for all rally attendees will be $410 for early bird registration (until April 30) and $430 from May 1–28. This covers lodging from Tuesday night through Friday morning, seven meals, snacks, and all rally activities.
How do we fundraise?
When fundraising, remember to keep in mind the size of your group, the size of your church, and the rally expenses you’ll need to cover.
The key to a successful fundraiser is getting your youth excited to participate. Make sure they share the news about your fundraiser with their personal networks and with your church community.
Some fundraising ideas to get you started:
- Have your youth speak about the rally in front of your congregation, show the 2022 WELS International Youth Rally recap video, and pass the plate
- Talk with your church to see if you can create an online fundraising link for youth to share with family and friends near and far
- Provide snacks during Bible class for a freewill offering
- Serve Advent/Lent dinners for a freewill offering
- Host a spaghetti dinner or pancake breakfast
- Host a car wash
- Host a bake sale
- Partner with your local grocery store to host a brat fry
- Offer a babysitting night to parents in your congregation
- Do yard work or put up or take down Christmas decorations for older congregation members
- Check with local restaurants to see if they do fundraisers (where they donate a percentage of the sales for a particular day back to your youth group)
- Check out the Youth Leader Facebook group for fundraising ideas from other youth leaders
- Google “fundraisers for church youth groups” for more ideas
How do I get a church group organized?
- Talk with teens and parents who may be interested in the rally. Talk with your pastor. Talk with members. Share how important it is to encourage and equip your teens in their faith life.
- Show the 2022 WELS International Youth Rally recap video after church to generate excitement.
- Gather interested teens and adults for a meeting.
- Choose a CYL (Contact Youth Leader) who will be the main point of contact prior to and during the rally for your group.
- Ask potential rallygoers to commit by your deadline date. Gather names, e-mail addresses, and phone numbers so you can communicate efficiently with them.
- Starting March 6, the CYL can go online to fully register themselves and save spots for the entire group.
- The registration booklet will be available in January and the registration site will walk you through each step.
Can I bring non-WELS friends?
While the rally is more of a nurturing event and less of an outreach event, if you have non-WELS teens who are interested, talk to your pastor and the teen’s parents. Would the teen benefit spiritually from attending? If yes, please bring them!
I have someone who is out of high school, but not 20. Can this person attend?
Talk to your CYL and pastor to decide if this person should attend as a Y or if he/she can take the responsibility of a YL.
Can I add more rallygoers?
You may prior to May 28. Before you add more rallygoers, consider if you have the proper ratio of 1 adult per 6 youth of the same gender. CYL, please email [email protected] with your name and the new total number you are bringing. It is helpful to know how many will be in your group total (CYL, YL, and L). Additions cannot be accommodated after May 28.
Can I make substitutions?
Yes, substitutions of the same gender and type can be made until June 3. Please contact CSU CES directly.
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.
How do we get there?
Each group is responsible for its own transportation to and from Fort Collins. Connect with other churches via our Facebook Group to share your transportation needs or opportunities.
What if I need a ride from the airport?
CSU has secured special rates with two local shuttle companies. Shuttle and car rental information is available under TRAVEL.
We are flying in early or departing late. Can we stay on campus?
You will be able to secure Monday or Friday night spots for $50/person (double occupancy) or $73 /person (single occupancy) as “bonus options” during the registration process or by contacting CSU Conference & Event Services directly at [email protected].
Are there off-site excursions this year?
Yes. You will be able to choose an optional one for an additional fee. A YL from your group must accompany Y from your group on each excursion. A list will be available here after January 17.
What about piggybacking?
Piggybacking (having a Y from another congregation join your group) is allowed. If at all possible, it’s best to have YL and Y from the same congregation. However, we do realize that in some cases this is prohibitive for Y from smaller congregations. If your group has a “piggybacker,” simply register the Y with your church group. Please get to know each other. You will be responsible for this Y.
Can we purchase meals at the CSU dining hall before or after the rally?
Yes, the door rate for meals is $17.29 at the campus dining centers. Please note that CSU is cashless. Bring your credit card!
What’s the deal with the background checks for all Youth Leaders?
WELS and CSU have the utmost concern for the safety of all minors attending the 2024 WELS International Youth Rally. WELS has partnered with a trusted third-party vendor to perform background checks on all adults wishing to attend this event. Shortly after registration, prospective CYL and YL will be provided with additional information regarding the mandatory background check that will be performed. Adults who do not submit their information for a background check or do not pass the background check will not be able to attend the youth rally. The safety of your personal information is also of utmost concern to us. Results of background checks will only be available to the WELS Director of Human Resources and HR Generalist.
I still have more questions!
- View the registration booklet that contains more details about workshops, keynotes, excursions, registration and more.
- In the meantime reach out to the youth rally coordinator at [email protected] or 414-527-6854.
- If you have more general questions that would be helpful to ask other youth leaders check out our Youth Leader Facebook group
- If you are a first time youth leader, check out our First Time Leader Toolkit (although it’s helpful for everyone).
- If you need help with promotional materials, check out our Promotional Toolkit.
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.