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Michigan District
Junior High Youth Gathering
June 5-7, 2015 Bavarian Inn Lodge, Frankenmuth
“Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone”
EPHESIANS 2:19-20
REGISTRATION PACKET
Dear Friends:
We are pleased to share the following information concerning the 2015 Michigan District Junior
High Youth Gathering; and excited to announce that the gathering will take place June 5-7,
2015 in Frankenmuth, Michigan.
The Gathering theme, CORNERSTONE, based on Ephesians 2: 19-22, reminds us that while
locations, dates, situations, and circumstances in life may change, our Cornerstone, Jesus,
remains firm and solid. Our prayer is that this gathering challenges and encourages all
participants to rely on and stand firm in Jesus as their Cornerstone throughout their life.
Please note as you begin planning for this gathering:
 Registration this year will be done online. Please follow the instructions and tutorial as you
proceed. If you have questions about registration, please contact Dawn Marone at
888.225.2111 x 200 or [email protected].
 Housing for this gathering will be at the Bavarian Inn Lodge. As you begin the registration
process, you will note there is a program fee and a housing fee based on the number of
rooms reserved. You will register participants first, then you will be directed to the housing
page.
 Schedule. Time has been provided to enable your group to experience Frankenmuth and
participate fully in the gathering. Please review the ideas and way you could spend your time
in Frankenmuth. Some of the activities offered at significantly reduced costs.
We are pleased to have Pastor Bill Yonker and Swen & Dean back to lead our weekend. We are
truly blessed to have them be a part of this gathering as they reach out and touch the hearts of
the youth and adults who attend this event. We pray that you consider making this gathering
part of your Junior High Youth Ministry in 2015.
If you have questions about the gathering or location, please contact Kristin Hardy at
586.822.7307 or Chuck Anderson at 989.996.0088.
Because of Him—
Kristin Hardy
Co-Chair
Chuck Anderson
Co-Chair
Michigan District
Junior High Youth Gathering
LOCATION
The 2015 Michigan District Junior High Youth Gathering will be held in the beautiful town of Frankenmuth,
Michigan from June 5-7, 2015
PARTICIPANTS
The 2015 Michigan District Junior High Youth Gathering is for youth (currently in grades 6, 7, 8 in the 20142015 school year) and adults (minimum 21 years of age) who are affiliated with an LCMS congregation.
Pastoral verification is required of all adult leaders.
GROUP SIZE and MAKEUP
There is no minimum or maximum for the size of a church’s group, though it is suggested that there be at
least one adult leader (21 years of age or older) for every six youth. If a group is to have both male and
female youth participants, there must also be at least one male and one female adult leader.
COST
REGISTRATION
The registration fee for the 2015 Michigan District Junior High Youth Gathering is $59 per
participant, which includes all program costs, t-shirt, Friday night pizza, Saturday breakfast,
Saturday dinner, and Sunday breakfast. Lodging costs are additional (see below)
Registration deadline is April 1, 2015.
LODGING
Participants will be staying at the Bavarian Inn Lodge. Each congregation will assign their youth and
adults to sleeping rooms per their congregation’s policies. Please note that male and female
participants must be housed in separate rooms. The maximum number of people per room is 4. The
cost of each room is $170. The lodging cost will be added to the congregation’s balance due at
checkout.
For Example:
Church A registers 12 youth and adults and assigns them to 3 rooms (4 per room). Cost per
person is $59 (registration fee) plus $42.50 ($510 divided by 12) = 101.50
Church B registers 12 youth and adults and assigns them to 4 rooms (3 per room). Cost per
person is $59 (registration fee) plus $56.67 ($680 divided by 12) = $115.67
Church C registers 12 youth and adults and assigns them to 6 rooms (2 per room)
Cost per person is $59 (registration fee) plus $85 (1020 divided by 12) = $144.00
TRANSPORTATION
Each group will need to have their own transportation available for the entire length of the gathering for
traveling to servant event sites or Frankenmuth fun!
REGISTRATION PROCESS
Please note that the registration for your group will be submitted through online registration.
Direct link to registration: http://milc.ms/jrhigh15
Please see the Step-by-Step Registration Guide for help in walking through the registration process. It is very
important the you follow the instructions.
Michigan District
Junior High Youth Gathering
Tentative Weekend Activities
Friday, June 5
Registration from 3:00 - 7:00 pm (Bavarian Inn Lodge)
Adult Orientation
Mass Gathering I
Games, activities, snacks
Concert
Devotions
Family group time / pizza (provided)
Saturday, June 6
Breakfast (provided)
Mass Gathering II
Servant Events
Lunch (on your own)
Frankenmuth Fun!
Dinner (provided)
Mass Gathering III
Games, snacks
Family group time
Devotions
Sunday, June 7
Breakfast (provided)
Pack and check out of rooms
Closing Worship
Depart for home around 11:00 am
Michigan District
Junior High Youth Gathering
What to Bring
Please give a copy of this sheet to all youth and adults attending the gathering.
___ Bible
___ Snacks
___ Pen/Pencil
___ “Girl Stuff” of “Guy Stuff”
___ Watch
___ Soap/Shampoo
___ Water Bottle
___ Spending Money
___ Swimsuit for Water Activities
(one piece suits or tankinis only)
___ Clothing and shoes appropriate for the weather (we do a lot of walking)
___ Medication - Medications should be clearly labeled in original containers. We
suggest that some medications such as inhalers, Epi-Pens, etc. be carried with the
student or a chaperone at all times.
Do NOT bring personal stereos, valuables, etc., as we cannot be
responsible for the damage or loss of these items.
Some of the items we will be collecting at the gathering for donation are:
General/Household
Toiletries
Baby Items
School Supplies

Non-perishable
Food Items

Toothbrush/
Toothpaste

Disposable Diapers
(Newborn Size)

Pens/Pencils

Zip-loc Bags (Gallon Size)

Hotel Soaps

Baby Towels

Crayons

Twin Sheet Sets (New)

Shampoo

Baby Clothes

Rulers

Men’s Flip-Flops

Razors

Glue

Bibles

Combs

Blunt Scissors

Empty boxes for collecting
canned goods

Towels (New)

Small Backpacks
Activities
After servant events on Saturday morning all groups will have free time from 12:00 pm to 5:30 pm. There are
many opportunities to consider, some have no cost, others will have an additional cost.
To allow the greatest flexibility, each group will eat lunch on their own (the cost of lunch is not included in the
registration fee).
Use of Bavarian Inn Lodge pools, activity area, and game room is included with your lodging cost.
Additional activities in and around Frankenmuth are available for your group to choose from, many having an
additional cost (entrance fees, participation fee, etc.). Special pricing secured for our group has been noted.
Please plan accordingly to ensure that your youth have sufficient spending money to participate in their
desired free time activities.
Activity
Cost per Person
Candellite Bowling Center
http://candlelitebowl.com/
$5 unlimited bowling including
shoe rental
Zehnder’s Splash Village
http://www.zehnders.com/waterpark/splashvillagewaterpark.htm
$20 per person
Alpine Mountain Miniature Golf
https://birchrunchamber.org/alpine-mountain-golf/
TBA in Spring
The Adventure Park at Frankenmuth
http://frankenmuthtrees.com/
$20 per person
Ultimate Mirror Maze
http://www.mirrormazeusa.com/about-frankenmuth.html
TBA in Spring
Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland
http://www.bronners.com/
Free (unless you purchase something)
Michigan’s Military and Space Heroes Museum
http://www.michigansmilitarymuseum.com/
TBA in Spring
Tours of St. Lorenz Lutheran Church
Free
Birch Run Outlet Mall
http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=82
Free (unless you purchase something)
Kayak and paddle board rentals
http://www.frankenmuthoutfitters.com/
TBA in Spring
Shopping in downtown Frankenmuth
http://www.frankenmuth.org/
Free (unless you buy something)
Sand Volleyball, Soccer, Softball, Basketball, Walking trails, Disc Golf
Free
Tennis (Bavarian Lodge)
Free
Bavarian Inn or Zehnder chicken dinner
$20 per person
Step-By-Step Registration Process
1.
Go to http://michigandistrict.org/events/jrhigh15 to view event details and begin the online
registration process.
2.
Direct link to registration: milc.ms/jrhigh15
For detailed instructions > Jump to Page 13
3.
Create Account
4.
Add People to Account (Youth Participants & Adult Leaders)
5.
Once your participants and leaders are added, “Make a Group Reservation.”
6.
You will be prompted to complete information for every individual. Please see “Sample”
forms included in the next few pages to know the information that will be required.
7.
Once completed, the primary account holder will be emailed with all of the forms requiring
signatures. Please print the packet for each participant and obtain additional information,
as needed, as well as the required signatures.
8.
Mail the signed, originals of the Adult Consent and Youth Permission Forms (no staples
please) along with one church check (made payable to Michigan District, LCMS) for the
registration balance to:
Junior High Youth Gathering
Michigan District, LCMS
3773 Geddes Road
Ann Arbor, MI 48105
Deadline for receipt of completed paperwork (all forms and payment) is
April 1, 2015.
Please note: All fees must be paid with a check from your congregation or your
group will be assessed additional sales tax.
9.
A confirmation will be sent via email within two weeks after receipt of your paperwork
Additional Notes:

It is important to obtain a signed medical permission form for each of your youth in case of
emergencies. PLEASE DO NOT SEND THE FORMS TO THE DISTRICT OFFICE. Medical permission
forms should be carried by an adult leader at all times during the gathering. A sample form is
included in this packet. The official form will be generated via online registration.

Cancellations: No refunds will be made after April 1, 2015. This policy is without exception.

Substitutions: Substitutions can be made at any time until April 1, 2015, after which time only same
sex substitutions can be made.
Adult Leader Guidelines
Each adult leader attending the Michigan District Junior High Youth Gathering 2015 should read
and carry out the guidelines listed below. As an adult leader, you will be expected to:
1. Participate fully in all Gathering events: Adult attendance at the gathering is vital to its success.
You and your entire group of youth should attend all planned sessions. (Free time has been set
aside in the schedule.) Your attendance and involvement sends a clear message to your youth.
So, be prepared to be totally involved in all aspects of this gathering.
2. Set a positive example: You are responsible for knowing the whereabouts and the behavior of
your youth at all times. You are responsible for seeing to it that your youth participate in all
aspects of the gathering. If you “pick and choose” what activities to attend, you send a negative
message to your youth, the other participants, and also the gathering planners.
3. Assist with behavioral issues: If one of your youth gets into trouble, we will involve you in the
process of dealing with the situation. Also, if you see or hear of a situation which is
inappropriate, you have the right as an adult leader to intervene, even if it is not your own
group. Please involve the Gathering Staff if necessary or contact the appropriate adult group
leader.
4. Enforce the “Lights Out” Rule: Youth are to be in the rooms with lights out by the times listed on
the schedule. They will need their sleep as each day is filled with activities from morning until
late at night. Make sure that your youth are in bed before you go to bed. Youth up after “Lights
Out” may be sent home.
5. Keep rooms free from damage: Any damage or breakage to room facilities (e.g. rooms, common
area, doors, windows, screens, etc.) will result in a bill sent to your congregation. Please inform
your youth of this policy.
6. Additional Room Charges: Congregations will be made responsible for any additional room
charges (e.g.. Room service, movie rentals, game rentals, etc.) The primary adult leader will be
asked to provide a valid credit card at check in to be used for this purpose only.
7. Provide co-ed leadership: Adult leaders are housed in rooms along with their youth.
Therefore, if you have both male and female youth attending, you must provide both male
and female leaders.
8. Keep parents informed: Publish your travel plans, meeting times, emergency phone numbers,
and other necessary information. Parents should also know that they will be called to come to
Frankenmuth to pick up their son or daughter if a severe problem occurs.
9. Actively relate to your youth: Use the gathering time to get to know your youth in a much more
personal way.
10. Participate in all Adult Leader information opportunities: In addition to the orientation meeting,
information, updates, and changes concerning the Gathering will be shared via mass text
messages.
11. Transportation: To fully participate in the gathering, each group must have transportation
for all participants for the entire length of the gathering.