First “Youth Council” to be held during FOCA Convention in Chicago July 22-25
The Orthodox Church in America’s Department of Youth, Young Adult, and Campus Ministries joins its partners, the Diocese of the Midwest and the Fellowship of Orthodox Christians in America [FOCA], in announcing the first OCA “Youth Council,” slated to take place during the FOCA’s 90th Convention here July 22-25, 2016. Youth of all ages are invited to gather for fellowship, outings, and working with our hierarchs and Church leaders to “expand the mission” of the Church.
“Drawing from the overwhelming success of the youth activities at the 18th All-American Council, we are eager to once again offer a national youth activity, and grateful to the FOCA and the Diocese of the Midwest for partnering with us,” said Andrew Boyd, OCA Youth Director. “Youth in grades five and up are welcome to participate and enjoy trips to Chicago’s exciting Navy Pier, historic Holy Trinity Cathedral, and a local water park, as well as sharing fellowship, worship, and building their vision for the Church.”
Registration is $120.00 per participant, which does not include lodging. Children from third to fifth grades are welcome to join in the planned excursions with a parent chaperone.
Registration information is available on the OCA web site, while hotel and convention information is available on the FOCA web site. Limited financial assistance may be available through the Peter the Aleut Grant program.
Clergy and lay persons interested in teaching and/or chaperoning are invited to contact Andrew Boyd at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
The tentative schedule appears below.
Draft Schedule for Youth Council, FOCA Convention July 22 – 25, 2016
Friday, July 22
2:00—5:00 p.m. Registration, distribution of t-shirts, bags, water bottles, youth council schedule/supplies
4:00 p.m. Staff Orientation in youth crash room
4:30 p.m. Parent/Chaperone Orientation in youth crash room
7:00 p.m. Evening activity with FOCA Open House
9:00 p.m. Icebreakers, kick-off talk about why we are here and what we plan to accomplish; Crash room social time
10:30 p.m. Compline
Saturday, July 23
8:30 a.m. Morning Prayer
9:00 a.m. Youth Council Part 1 and Presentation by the Greater Chicago Orthodox Christian Coalition for Healthy Youth
11:00 a.m. Depart for Chicago’s Navy Pier
1:30 p.m. Youth will meet in a designated area for a surprise activity
4:00 p.m. Vespers at Holy Trinity Cathedral, Chicago
5:30 p.m. Dinner, Feed My Starving Children event
8:00 p.m. Return to hotel, crash room social
10:30 p.m. Compline
Sunday, July 24
9:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy
10:30 a.m. Brunch
11:30 a.m. Leave for water park or other activity
2:00 p.m. Return to hotel
3:00 p.m. Youth Council Part 2; Preparation of presentations to FOCA
6:00 p.m. Banquet and dance with FOCA
9:00 p.m. Crash room open
10:30 p.m. Compline
Monday, July 25
8:30 a.m. Morning Prayer
9:00 a.m. Youth Council Presentations to FOCA; Departures