Covenants

Youth Encounter is an organization dedicated to strengthening the Church through the Christian faith of its young people. Youth Encounter strives to provide resources, experiences and Zones for young people that are edifying, educational, uplifting and encouraging. As part of that ministry, we, as Zone participants, have an exciting opportunity to dedicate ourselves to a weekend of amazing adventure! As staff, artists and participants, we are setting aside this time to grow in our relationships with God and one another.

In the Bible, a covenant was an agreement between individuals-a commitment to certain promises and expectations. When two people or groups wanted to form a covenant, both parties examined their goals, laid out their expectations and then committed to upholding their end of the bargain so that the goal could be attained. Success was dependent on each party being faithful to the agreement.

We, the participants of Youth Encounter Zones, are coming together as to form a community for a weekend. We are entering into a relationship with each other with the goals of fun, education, fun, growth, fun, spiritual enlightenment and, oh, yeah, fun! What an exciting prospect! With this in mind, we ask that you take a few moments to read and prayerfully consider the Covenants outlined below. These guidelines and behaviors spell out Youth Encounter's expectations of each participant for the weekend, as well as provide ideas for guidelines you might want to create as a Church group. These expectations will help us as we live in community and serve God and each other each day.

We recommend working on your covenant before you arrive at the Zone, and then having everyone (and their parents/guardians, perhaps) sign it. Then you can post it in each of your rooms at the Zone.

Youth Encounter's Mandatory Zone Covenant (for adults and youth)

• In all we do at this Zone, we keep this in mind: God is present; we represent God and the Church;
• For our own safety, we will not go out alone. We will keep our doors closed and locked at all times. This will ensure the safety of room inhabitants and personal belongings, as well as reduce noise concerns;
• We understand that illegal activity, as well as the use or possession of any alcoholic beverages or drugs, by Zone participants (youth and adults) is prohibited both on and off the site during the Zone;
• Participants seventeen-years-old and younger who wish to leave the Zone early or by some means other than the transportation provided must have permission from a parent, guardian or sponsor and our group's leader;
• We will report any illness or personal emergency to our group leader. If we cannot find our group leader or need additional help, we will go to the Event Host or the front desk for assistance;
• We understand that if we break or damage anything at the Zone hotel, we (not Youth Encounter) are responsible for working with the hotel and fully paying for the repair;
• We agree to be quiet and inside our own rooms during the listed curfew time (unless we are with an Adult Leader and quiet);
• We agree to adhere to a dress code that is modest and appropriate;
• We agree not to do anything that would jeopardize the enjoyment or safety of the other participants and guests at the hotel;
• We agree to abide by the guidelines stated above and to help one another keep this covenant;
• If we choose not to follow the covenant, we understand and accept the consequences decided upon by our Adult Leaders and/or Youth Encounter.

Additional Covenant Ideas

• We understand that the following conduct is not tolerable and agree to handle it by the following consequences... (Ex. Property damage of any kind, throwing things out of windows, inappropriate language)
• We agree that the following clothing is not appropriate and will not be worn at the Zone:
• Our group's policy on members of the opposite sex being in our rooms is. . .
• We commit ourselves to treat one another as follows:
• We plan to participate in the Zone activities in the following manner:

Suggested Adult Covenant

• We agree to uphold and enforce Youth Encounter's guidelines and the guidelines agreed upon by the group;
• We agree to be positive role models by participating with the youth in all the Zone activities;
• We agree to know where the individuals within our group are at all times;
• We understand that each Adult Leader is responsible for the conduct of the members within their group.