Youth Encounter 2023

Wed, Jul 26, 2023 – Fri, Jul 28, 2023

Youth Encounter 2023 is finally here! Below you’ll find everything you need to know for your student to have the best experience ever.

Need-to-Know Info

Pick Up and Drop Off

Wednesday, July 26

  • Drop off will be in the Discipleship Building (DB), also known as Calvary Christian Academy. All students will need to enter YE through the DB on Wednesday. There will be two lines, one for event check in and one for students that have already checked in. If you are a student driving yourself, a volunteer for the event or a parent hanging out in the Generous, please park on the EAST side of campus (by the Youth Building). You can walk through campus to get to the DB for check-in. The west side parking lot will be blocked off for all of YE.

  • Pick up will be at the east side parking lot. All students will be dismissed on the EAST side only. Security will be instructed to lock the gate that leads to The Green and DB after the last session starts; therefore, students will not be allowed to go out through there. There will be no entry to the WEST side of campus from the sanctuary hallway or by walking around the youth building. We will have leaders at both places directing students back to the east parking lot.

Thursday, July 27

  • Drop off and pick up will be on the EAST side of campus.

Friday, July 28

  • Drop off and pick up will be on the EAST side of campus.

 

What if my student needs to leave YE early?

Just like at youth services, if your student needs to leave YE before the last session of the night is dismissed, a PARENT must go to the Information Booth (located in the sanctuary hallway) to pick up their student. We will not release any student unaccompanied into the parking lot before dismissal. This is for their safety and in compliance with our child safety policies.

Event Schedule

DAY 1: WEDNESDAY, July 26

Check In: 4-6pm
Sanctuary Doors Open: 5:30pm
Session 1: 6-7pm 
Dinner: 7-7:30pm
Breakout 1: 7:30-8:15pm
Session 2: 8:30-10pm 
Dismissal/Pick Up: 10pm


DAY 2: THURSDAY, July 28

Sanctuary Hallway Open: 3pm
Sanctuary Doors Open: 3:30pm
Session 3: 4-5pm 
Breakout 2: 5:15-6:15pm  
Dinner: 6:30pm
Free Time: 6:45-8pm
Session 4: 8:15-10pm
Dismissal/Pick Up: 10pm         


DAY 3: FRIDAY, July 29 

Sanctuary Hallway Open: 8:15am
Sanctuary Doors Open: 8:30am
Session 5: 9-10:15am
Breakout 3: 10:30-11:30am
Lunch: 11:30am
Free Time: 11:45am–1:45pm
Breakout 4: 2-3pm
PartYE (Fun Session): 3:15–4pm
Dinner: 4:15–5pm
Session 6: 5:15–7pm
Dismissal/Pick Up: 7pm
Post YE Baptism on the Green: 7:15-8pm (campus will shut down at 8:20pm)

Parent Hangouts in the Generous Cafe

WHEN: July 26-27 | 4pm–8:30pm & July 28 | 8am-5pm

While students are learning more about Jesus, you’ll be able to meet other parents and chat with some of our pastors and ministry leaders. Snacks and drinks will be available for purchase.

*Parents are invited to join in on the last session of YE on Friday, July 28 at 5:15pm

MENU

Meals

The TENTATIVE meal menu is below. Please note, last minute changes can occur due to supplier issues.

Wednesday Dinner: Taco Bowls
Thursday Dinner: Chick-fil-A
Friday Lunch: Food Trucks
Friday Dinner: Pizza

We will have separate meals available for students with a food allergy included in their registration. But as always, encourage your student not to eat anything they may be allergic to. Students are welcome to bring their own meals and snacks if they would like.

Merchandise

If your student would like to buy any YE merchandise or snacks during the event, please send them with cash or a card for purchases. 

Special Assistance

If your students’ registration form indicates they need special assistance during YE, Andre from our King’s Kids ministry will be reaching out to you for additional information and event accommodation details.

YE Color Wars

One of our favorite parts of YE is Color Wars. Each student will be placed on a team based on their grade. Students are more than welcome to purchase clothing in their team’s color before the event. The colors for each grade are as follows:

  • 6th grade: YELLOW
  • 7th and 8th grade: ORANGE
  • 9th and 10th grade: PURPLE
  • 11th and 12th grade: BLUE
YE Baptisms

We have an amazing opportunity for your student to publicly declare their faith. Right after the last session of YE on Friday, July 29, at 7:15pm, we’ll be having a baptism on The Green. If your student has made the decision to ask Jesus to be their Lord and Savior, whether it was at YE or before, this would be their next step of obedience to Him. Encourage them to bring a change of clothes and towel for this event. And, even if they don’t, we hope to see you out there on The Green.

Other FAQs

What does my student need to bring with them to YE?

They should  bring their Bible, a journal or notebook, a pen, and their name tag.

Can my student bring a backpack to YE?

Yes, but we reserve the right to search backpacks at any time.

Is my student required to wear their YE shirt the entire event?

No, your student is not required to wear the FREE shirt they receive at check in. 

Is my student required to wear their name tag and wristband for the entire event?

Yes, for security purposes they must.

Can my student take off their wristband and get a new one?

No. All students will receive a wristband at YE check in, which CANNOT be removed at or during the event.  The wristband is to be worn for the ENTIRE event, and, for security purposes, we will not be replacing them.

What if we get to YE but forgot to bring our ticket or can’t find it on our phone?

Don’t make a trip back home, we’ll be able to look up the registration information.  However, your check in experience will go faster if you have the information with you.

Who do I contact if I have any questions?

Please send any questions via e-mail to Youth@CalvaryFTL.org and someone from our Youth Team will reach out to you.

How do you assign my student a small group for breakout sessions?

For breakout sessions (small groups), students are separated by grade and gender. Your student will choose their own group at the first breakout session, and they will stay with that group and adult leader for all remaining breakouts.

What if my middle school and high school students want to be in the same small group?

Breakout sessions (small groups) are the only time at YE when we require all students to be in a group of their own grade and gender. We cannot accommodate special group requests.

Is there anything for parents to do on campus while my student is attending YE?

Yes, while students are learning more about Jesus, you’ll be able to meet other parents and chat with some of our pastors and ministry leaders in the Generous Cafe.  Snacks and drinks will be available for purchase.

How do I get to the Generous Cafe for the Parent Hangout?

You will park in the EAST parking lot and enter through the EAST side Sanctuary Hallway doors.  You’ll then walk down the hall and the Generous will be on the left.  There will be plenty of leaders along the way to help you get there.

Can my students meet me or eat with me in the Generous?

While we love it when families hang out together, we will not be allowing students into the Generous Cafe.  They have a busy schedule of activities and that section of the building is closed off to them.

Next Steps

Now that YE 2023 is over, you may be wondering, what is my Next Step?
For Parents:

Youth Parent Night

Join us on Friday, September 15 at 7:30pm, as we celebrate you! This is a night dedicated to you as a parent. We’ll hang out, eat some food, worship and be encouraged together!

Parenting Classes

Classes begin Wednesday, September 6. Go to Linktr.ee/FamilyMin for more details and list of classes we have available this fall.

Join a Group

You can view open groups and sign-up at https://CalvaryFTL.org/Groups

Serve

Sign-up to serve in youth ministry!  Whether you can serve once a month, every week or something in between, there are a lot of opportunities to serve..  Go to Linktr.ee/CalvaryYouth to sign-up

Have coffee with a youth staff member

Email Youth@calvaryftl.org and we’ll get you connected with someone from the youth team for coffee

Follow Calvary Youth on Social Media

@CalvaryYouthFTL on Instagram and YouTube

YE Parent Survey

Take Survey Here

For Students:

Serve

Sign-up to serve at Calvary!  Whether you’re available to serve once a month, every week, or something in between, we have a lot of opportunities. Go to Linktr.ee/CalvaryYouth to sign-up.

First Priority

Visit FirstPriority.cc to find more info on the First Priority Club at your school.

Join a Group

Youth groups launch August 12 and 13 during services at the Fort Lauderdale campus .  Contact your campus or local church for more information on their groups schedule.

Get Baptized

If you missed the opportunity to get baptized after the last session of YE, join us on Saturday, August 12 from 8:30-10am, just south of the Pompano Beach Pier.

Read the YE YouVersion Plan

Who is God? A 5-day Reading Plan for Teens

Outreach

Who is the one friend or family member you plan to share Jesus with?