WORK TOUR & CONFERENCES 2013 REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Our Work Tour & Conference Experiences are vital parts of our Youth Ministry. The preparations, week of service or learning and follow through assist teenagers in their faith journey as they are able to better understand our Catholic Social Teachings, see their faith in action through service and build friendships based on their similar beliefs & faith.

This Experience is a journey and not simply a week away. We ask that you consider joining the experience because you want to learn and grow in your faith through service to others. Please read all the information and send in your registration. Mark your calendars for the formation & fundraising and get ready for an adventure you won’t forget!----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------FORMATIONDuring our meetings we will introduce the four themes developed in our work tour & conference experience: Community, Prayer, Service & Simplicity

The formation meetings will allow the teens to:* Get to know those they will serve and live with for a week of their summer* Learn new and different ways to pray* Apply Catholic Social Teachings and see why we are called to service as Disciples of Christ* Understand the how’s/why’s of living simply for a week * Encourage the teen after their time away to share what they have learned

We have intentionally reduced the number of meetings, but insist that you attend for the most successful preparation for your time away. If you know now that a prior commitment is in conflict, please let us know so you can set up a make-up session. We request that you make THESE meetings a priority and plan homework & jobs accordingly so that you can be as fully prepared as possible for your experience.

The pre-formation dates are: Sat. Feb 23 10am-12pm (1 parent encouraged to attend with teen)Thurs. June 6th 6:30-8:30pm (also final mtg for OLC)

Tues. June 11th 6:30-8pm final for Notre Dame TripTues. June 18th 6:30-8pm for YLC Trip onlyTues. June 25th 6:30-8pm final for Habitat for Humanity onlyTues. July 30th 6:30-8pm final for OLPH trip only

The post-trip formation: THIS IS the most important piece because it allows our teens to share what they have learned with others & become stronger disciples of Christ. This formation will be set up with Adult Mentors from our parish & will consist of teens sharing their experience with the adults who are then able to help encourage, coordinate and hold them accountable to the learning & growth that they experienced while away.

Tues. July 9th 7-8pm post-trip meeting for OLC local, YLC, and Notre Dame groupsTues. July 23rd 7-8pm post-trip meeting for Habitat groupSun. Aug. 18th 10am-11am post-trip meeting for OLPH group

FEES / FUNDRAISING

Each trip fee includes all aspects of: Transportation* & Food Accommodations & Tools/supplies

Coverage for adult leaders

Our fundraisers are meant to help reduce the cost of the trips as well as build community and awareness around the good work that our teens are doing. By working these fundraiser events your work tour fee is reduced based on an hourly rate and/or the amount of auction donations.

At the large fundraisers we will keep track of people’s hours worked and an hourly rate is formed (total money made divided by the total hours worked). You will receive credit to reduce your total personal fee. (see examples below)

In our desire to minimize the “nickel & dime-ing” of parishioners, as well as reducing the number of commitments necessary for work tourists, we have one major fundraiser set for everyone to support. We know that the more people who are involved with spreading the word and inviting others to attend, the overall better success we can have in raising funds for our trips.

Fish Fry & Personal Auction Battle of the BandsFriday March 1 June 13 (date TBA)

We will have the opportunity for those interested to put on additional fundraising efforts which will be described in detail at our first formation meeting. These will allow someone who wants to put more effort in to gain more toward their fee.

PARENT INVOLVEMENT

Do you like to drive your family van? full of teenagers?* = Our June conferences at Notre Dame Campus & Lewis University Campus require parents to assist with the transportation process—either by driving, navigating or giving gas money

Does the sound of helping your teen reduce their fee intrigue you?Parents can also earn fee reduction credit for volunteering to help at our fundraisers. Adult volunteers for each fundraiser will ensure safe and quality events.

The adult slot sign-up is available at our initial meeting and will be in the teen center space afterwards. They are limited and will be filled on a first come/first serve basis.

SIMPLE REALITY:

IF WE DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH ADULT LEADERS THE TRIPS WILL NOT TAKE PLACE: consider attending as a leader (with or without your teen), encourage a neighbor or older child (21 yrs +) to join our efforts…contact Katie Hayes or Joe Gazdacka for details!

WORK TOUR WEEK DESCRIPTIONS

Monday June 10-Friday June 14 Our Lady of Charity (OLC) Local Sharing Parish Trip$200 15-20 people, teens and adults,* meet for morning mass at SJC at 7:45am, travel via carpool to parish in Cicero* Prepare for and clean-up after lunches & dinners (parents or parishioners often assist with dinner)* Serve parish, parishioners, local agencies by painting, cleaning, organizing, sorting, gardening, etc.* Evening reflections time connect service to prayer during & after dinner, concludes each night by about 6:30pm* Minimum commitment of 3 days (allows flexibility for work/activities)

Sunday July 7-Sat July 13 Franklin, West Virginia Habitat for Humanity $500 12 teens (must be 16 years or older), need 2 adults * Travel 12 hours by 12 passenger van * Prepare for & clean-up after all meals * Live in renovated railroad bunk house sleeping in bunk beds. * Serve on work sites, building, painting, gardening, etc. * Evening reflection connecting service to prayer

Thursday Aug 8-Tues Aug 13 Our Lady of Perpetual Help Sharing Parish in Williamsburg, KY $325 12 teens, need 4 adultsPILGRIMAGE to OLPH to help celebrate 50 years as a parish.* Travel about 9 hours by 12 passenger van* Live in local retreat house, sleep on air mattresses or bunk beds* Prepare for & clean-up after all meals* Local tours & Community building with their parishioners

CONFERENCE DESCRIPTIONS

Notre Dame Vision Conference in ND, IN Monday June 17—Friday June 21$ 400 (group rate) / $425 if we send fewer than 5 teens* Travel 2 hours via parent carpool * Live in dorms & eat in cafeteria* Dynamic, nationally acclaimed speakers * Interactive small group time* Exploration of your Christian calling facilitated by Notre Dame college students, helps you answer: How will my gifts change the world?*Teen encouraged to use leadership skills gained at conference to support and lead SJC

youth ministry

Youth Leadership Conference (YLC) at Lewis University in Romeoville, IL Fri. June 28-Sun. June 30 $180, unlimited teen spaces, need 1 female chaperone, 1 male chaperone*Travel 45 minutes via parent carpool *Dorm lodging, meals, prayer space, conference t-shirt included*Dynamic speakers, teen witness talks, main sessions & liturgy celebrated w/over 700 teens & adults*Teen encouraged to use leadership skills gained at conference to support and lead SJC youth ministry

National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) in Indianapolis, IN Thursday Nov. 21 -Sunday Nov. 24, 2013 Estimated: $400*Travel 3-4 hours via van *Exhibit hall & prayer space *Dynamic, nationally acclaimed speakers*Stay at Franciscan Retreat Center with other Chicago parish groups

*Main Sessions & Liturgy celebrated with 20,000+ youth and adults

REGISTRATION PROCESS

1. Fill out the registration form—2 pages & short answer sheet2. Send the registration form with the initial $100.00 deposit via mail so we have a date stamp on it. NO HAND DELIVERIES WILL BE ACCEPTED! Spots are available on a first come/first serve basis. Final registration deadline is February 8th!3. Mark your calendar for our formation meetings & fundraisers!

FEE SCHEDULE

The balance of the trip is the total amount you & your family WILL BE responsible for if you participate in NO FUNDRAISING activities. The minimum amount a family could pay will be the $100 deposit; the max amount would be $500. The second payment ($100 OLC, $200 HH, $100 OLPH, $200 ND Vision, $75 YLC, $200 NCYC) reduced by Fish Fry fundraising is due April 1st.The third/final payment ($200 HH, $100 OLPH, $100 ND Vision, $100 NCYC) reduced by Battle of the Bands & individual fundraisers, is due July 1st.

FUNDRAISING COMPARISON Teen A Teen BSells 7 tickets = $28 Sells 2 tickets = $8Works 4 hours @ ≈ 7/hr = $28 works 2 hour = $14 Donates personal auction = $30 does not get items for auction = $0helps coordinate auction delivery, 2 hours more of work = $14

Teen A: reduced fee by $101 Teen B: reduced fee by $22

AS YOU CAN SEE: WHAT EFFORT YOU PUT IN, YOU WILL GET OUT!

Please do not allow the expense to be the only thing keeping you from this opportunity. Our hope is that the fundraising can make this experience affordable for most people. However, if necessary, please contact us regarding scholarship information!

If you have any questions or concerns please email our Work Tour Team:

Joe Gazdacka, gazzyjoe@aol.com Maribeth White, maribeth.white@gmail.comMichael Grabis, migrabis@gmail.com Kim Vitale, momsamkim1@aol.comKatie Hayes, khayes@stjohnofthecross.org

St. John of the Cross Parish Crossroads Youth Ministry Summer Work Tour Trip Registration Form 2013

deposit: check # __________Name ____________________________________Year in School _____________________________Home Phone _______________________ Teen Cell Phone ____________________Teen Email ____________________________________________Parent Email ___________________________________________Which mode of communication is the best way to reach the teen? Email home phone cell

Our trips begin with formation meetings. They will be held in the Parish Center Teen Space on dates designated in the information packet. These meetings are critical for the success of our service weeks. If you know now that a prior commitment is in conflict, please let us know here so you can set up a make-up session: _________________________________________________________

By signing here you agree to make these meetings a priority and plan homework & jobs accordingly so that you can be present in order to be as fully prepared as possible for the work tour experience.

Signature of teen ___________________________________ Date __________________

Please list your preference for trips with 1 being your first preference and 5 being your lowest. If you want to do both a service trip and conference, mark both with a 1. DO NOT put a number by any trip that you are not able to attend:

__ OLC local parish __ Notre Dame Vision __ YLC, IL __WV Habitat __ OLPH, KY __NCYC

Please provide short answers on separate sheets of paper & turn in with this form:

1. Which of the four areas of the work tour experience: Community, Service, Prayer & Simplicityis the hardest for you—why? is the easiest for you—why?

2. What do you want to get out of the work tour experience?

3. How have the activities in which you have participated this year in Crossroads prepared you for the Work Tour Experience?

4. Please ask a peer to write a paragraph answering the following question & include it:What qualities do you think makes this applicant a good candidate for a faith-based summer service trip (conference) and why?

If you have attended a work tour in the past:

5. As a returning work tourist I am interested in taking on a greater leadership role during formation by………………………………………..And during the trip by……………….

PLEASE include a $100 deposit to reserve your spot.(If you gain a spot and later cannot attend, this deposit is only refundable if someone is able to take your spot.)

*If this application is not complete your registration will NOT be accepted. Please follow directions!*

Summer Work Tour Trips 2013Teen Covenant Agreement

By signing below, you, with your parents’ understanding, agree to meet the following conditions to participate in a Summer Work Tour or Conference Experience through Crossroads Youth Ministry.

* I understand attendance at all formation meetings is critical for being a part of this experience. I have already noted any prior commitments and otherwise will plan my homework and jobs accordingly so that I can be present. I understand that if I cannot attend a make-up session is necessary.

* I will participate in our fundraising activities: either in preparations for, the day of, or afterwards clean up or delivery process.

* During the trip, I will abide by the stated rules, regulations, and expectations for the trip of which I am a participant. I will follow the instructions given to me by site staff and adults. I will treat all other participants and staff with respect.

* In an effort to live simply and build community with trip members I will leave all cell phones, ipods, electronic games, and walk-men at home.

* In an effort to respect the people I will meet in different places, I will dress conservatively and leave at home all tank tops, clothing with foul language, short shorts, 2-piece swimsuits, etc.

* I will take care of the facilities, and willingly do chores and clean up duties. I will abide by all wake up times, meeting times and curfews without complaint. I will not use drugs, alcohol, or tobacco products on the trip and will refrain from cursing and offensive language.

* I acknowledge that this is not just a one-week experience and that after the experience I will share what I have learned with an adult mentor. I will look for guidance and encouragement to assist me in bringing home & living what I have learned.

Teen Signature _______________________ Parent Signature_____________________

This 2-page registration form & the answers to your questions with your deposit check must arrive by mail to: CROSSROADS, Attn: Work Tours, 5005 S. Wolf Rd., Western Springs, IL 60558.

Registration is on a first come/first served basis with our final deadline for registrations beingFebruary 8, 2013.