Junior Young Friends
The BYM Junior Young Friends program hosts weekend retreats for 6th-8th graders.
"JYF Cons" are held at different Quaker Meetinghouses throughout the school year. Cons are a fun way to see friends from other Meetings or camp, make new friends, have fun, and retreat from the pressures of pre-teen life while developing skills for living in community. The BYM Youth Programs Manager and JYF Assistant facilitate these weekends in conjunction with the Youth Programs Committee. For more information, including a general schedule we follow, click here!
Young Friends
Young Friends, sponsored by Baltimore Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, is a community of 9th-12th graders that builds community, nurtures the personal and spiritual growth of all youth and adult participants, and provides opportunities to take an active part in the broader community of Religious Society of Friends. Young Friends promote individuality as well as the unity of being in community. Decisions are made according to Quaker process, seeking unity among those gathered. With the exception of certain legal and bureaucratic matters, youth are responsible for all aspects of the Young Friends community.
The basis of our community and our system of governance is acceptance. Our Quaker community expands beyond the borders of our Meetings. High school-age youth who are not affiliated with a monthly meeting are welcomed to attend all Young Friends’ conferences. All new attendees of conferences will be thoroughly welcomed into the community with plethoric gusto. As a self-governed community, Young Friends maintain their own handbook.
- The next YF Con is Nov 22-24, 2024. Register here!
- Nuts & Bolts Young Friends Planning Committee
- Young Friends Covid Policy
Friendly Adult Mentors (FAM)
Friends Adult Mentors provide support, encouragement, and supervision to our Junior Young Friends and Young Friends. Alongside professional staff, FAM lend their judgment to younger Friends without being judgmental. In addition to providing 24/7 chaperone presence at all Youth Programs events, FAM offer workshops - especially for JYFs - on topics of interest including art, outdoor skills, Quaker process, and more!
Our dedicated FAM undergo screening and youth safety training in accordance with the BYM Youth Safety Policy before they are allowed to participate in a JYF Con or YF Con, and all FAM are accountable to the Youth Program Manager and General Secretary. No FAM is ever allowed to be one-on-one with a JYF or YF, and BYM has a zero-tolerance policy for adult behavior that jeopardizes the safety or well-being of minors.
We rely on FAM to support youth programming, and FAM report a high-level of joy in their service to younger people. FAM Trainings are held throughout the year. To apply for the next FAM Training, email YPC@bym-rsf.org.
What Friends are saying about BYM Youth Programs
“My daughter always comes back with a renewed sense of self and peace.” – YF Parent
“the creation of a community with a spiritual focus… helps keep young people coming to Meeting in the weeks between conferences.” – JYF Parent
“When I came to JYF in 7th grade it changed my life.” –Young Friend
“The Young Friends seem to bless our Meeting with their presence. We love that our Meeting House is used for more than one morning per week!”- Host Meeting House
“My daughter’s high school years would have been more difficult without the abilities she developed at con: a sense of independence, ability to express her feelings and convictions, sense of belonging.” – YF Parent
