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Let’s answer all those questions!!!
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].
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
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!
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.
- In March, the CYL can go online to create a group portal to fully register as an individual, preregister your group, and pay the per person deposit. You’re off and running!
- The registration booklet coming in January and the registration site will walk you through each step.
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?
We are working on this. The current plan is that during registration you may request an airport shuttle coordinated by CSU Conferences for an additional fee.
Are there off-site excursions this year?
Yes. CSU Conferences are organizing different options. If desired, you will be able to choose one for an additional fee. A YL from your group must accompany Y from your group on each excursion. Discuss this before you register so that you have proper supervision. A list will be available here in January.
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.
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.
I still have more questions!
- The registration booklet will come out in January 2024 with 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.