A Youth Learning Conference: on providing peer listening and support in Youth Ministry
March 8 – 10, 2013
First Unitarian Congregation of Toronto
175 St. Clair Avenue West, Toronto, ON M4V 1P7
What is this Training About?
This Learning Conference is small working conference or ‘training’, led by an intergeneraltional team, designed to give youth and advisors the skills needed to effectively listen to, affirm, and emotionally support participants at youth events. Known as ‘Chaplains’ at Youth Con, individuals with this training are able to serve the youth community by providing peer support at Youth Events by ensuring a healthy and safe atmosphere, bringing spiritual resources and support to the community and when needed helping to manage crises.
This Chaplain Training will focus on learning in the following areas:
- Developing communication skills: active listening, non-verbal cues, etc.
- Being an empathetic listener, understanding and accepting different emotional situations
- Perceiving and responding to the needs of the conference community as a whole
- Maintaining appropriate personal boundaries (physical, emotional, etc.)
- Working as a team with other chaplains, worship planners, and conference staff
- Understanding confidentiality—when to keep and when to break safety concerns
- Legal and ethical considerations to ensure a safe and healthy conference community
- Responsible, intentional and culturally appropriate use of worship materials
A Chaplain Training provides huge benefits to both the local, regional and national youth leaders and community. Youth and advisors who have been trained as Chaplains are able to take on a vital role at events and meetings. Chaplain training also helps facilitate personal growth, empowerment and reflection among participants.
Who should attend a Chaplain Training?
Youth who want to serve as Chaplains at any level. Advisors who will support youth chaplains or will serve as Chaplains for youth, themselves. Ministers, religious educators as well as other adults involved in lay pastoral care are also encouraged to attend.
This training is open to youth ages 14 – 20 years old and adult youth advisors 25 years of age or older.
What to expect
Different from a social Con, this weekend will be more structured and will focus on learning about how to be a Chaplain as opposed to focusing on socializing or playing games. However it will still include time for Con favorites such as worship, yummy inclusive food, late night chats and other fun which are built into the training. Learning how to support other emotionally can be very rewarding but challenging also – come prepared to meet your growing edges and do some self reflection.
Youth and Advisors from other regions and the SLD are very much welcome and invited to attend!
***Americans – you WILL need a passport to come to this training
For more information contact:
Organizing Adult: Ariel Hunt-Brondwin (ariel@cuc.ca)
Registration Information
Costs & Dates:
Early Bird Registration: $50 before February 17
Regular Registration: $65 between February 18 – 28
Includes: Program, participant materials and all meals.
Forms: All registrants must fill out and submit the following forms:
- Youth:
- Advisors:
Registration closes February 28 and all required forms must be received by then. Forms may be sent in by scanning and attaching to an email, by mail, or by fax. Forms will NOT be accepted on the day of – they must be sent in ahead of time.
Email: youth@cuc.ca
Mail:
Canadian Unitarian Council
Re: Youth Chaplain Training
100 – 344 Dupont St
Toronto, ON M5R 1V9
Fax: 416-489-9010
Chaplain Training Registration Form
Registration is now closed.
Question? Concerns? Need Help? Please contact Youth and Young Adult Ministry Staff, Ariel Hunt-Brondwin (youth@cuc.ca)