For GA Youth Trip Organizers

Bringing a group of youth to GA and don’t know where to start? Or do you wish your youth trip to GA was easier? Check out this video series of advice and what to expect from religious educators who are veterans of the GA youth experience.

These videos were recorded in 2018-2019 and the wisdom shared endures. Thanks to the sharing of: Deborah Neisel-Sanders (Administrator, UUA Office of Lifespan Faith Engagement), Jessica Laikeman (Director of Faith Formation at High Plains Church UU, Colorado Springs, CO), Mary Carter-Vail (Director of Religious Exploration at Summit UU Fellowship, Santee, CA) and Scott Stewart (Director of Religious Education at Eliot Unitarian Chapel, Kirkwood, MO)

Part 1: Let’s All Go to GA! Why & What

What the heck is GA? Why should our congregation spend all this time and money to send youth there? We’ll share with you some reasons that you can share with others as to why this particular youth experience is so valuable. We also talk about strategies in initial planning. Here’s how we motivate people in the congregation to get them excited and supportive: From the board, staff, parents, and youth themselves!

Notes & Links

Part 2: Let’s All Go to GA! Money

How much does it cost? How do you budget? How do we get everybody there? Our experts share their planning and fundraising ideas to help finance a GA trip. Find out how to make it accessible for all families involved, and where you can scrimp and save to do it on the cheap. And hang in there! Parts of the process are scary, but it always seems to come together in the end.

Notes & Links

Part 3: Let’s All Go to GA! Housing & Food

Where will we all stay while at GA? How do we make those arrangements? What about food? How can we feed the whole group for a full week (including late nights) on the cheap? Our advisory team shares their hard-won expertise of what to plan for ahead of time. (Oh, and also: No, there is no designated “youth hotel.” Choose what works for your group.)

Notes & Links

Part 4: Let’s All Go to GA! Holiday Momentum

How can you keep enthusiasm and momentum going all the way through the holiday break? We’ll give you four simple tips for maintaining your fundraising and planning through to the new year.

Part 5: Let’s All Go to GA! Supervision

Let’s talk sponsors! What is a sponsor? Why are they required at GA? What do they sign up for? Who makes an ideal sponsor? While they’re looking after their youth’s needs, what might their needs be?

Notes & Links

Part 6: Let’s All Got to GA! Forms

Youth Registration — it’s a multi-step process.

  1. Apply for financial support if needed. Registration discounts, housing discounts and travel grants are distributed on a rolling basis.
  2. Complete Registration — GA Youth Registration
  3. Complete permission and sponsor form — in 2023 this was automated into one SignNow form, that will email the Parent, then the Sponsor then the Youth to gather information and signatures. You can read it over before that process gets to you: Parent-Youth-Sponsor Agreements PDF. Troubleshooting the SignNow E-Signature System (PDF)
  4. Optional: Represent Your Congregation at GA As a Delegate

Notes & Links

  • The Forms process is the most likely to change year to year, and apologies that the 2019 video is no longer useful.

Part 7: Let’s All Go to GA! The Experience

The GA Experience — what’s it like for youth? What’s it like for trip organizers? Our religious educators tell all! There’s more than just what’s in the program — keep your eyes and ears open for announcements and invitations to special identity lunches and parties. There’s “business” too — GA Youth programming includes spaces to learn about how our denomination governs itself and the issues coming before congressional delegates. And don’t forget to research the local area so you can get out and enjoy the town. Lastly, build in ways for everyone to care for themselves and each other (even the adults!), especially young women and those with special needs or marginalized identities; learn about the various care groups available at GA and share that info with everyone going on the trip.

Notes & Links

Part 8: Let’s All Go to GA! Homecoming

Returning Home: the best way to wrap GA up in a big bow is to plan ahead.

Be sure to build in some structured time when you get back for reflection and discussion, especially if your congregation takes a summer break shortly afterwards. GA is a big, beautiful, whirlwind experience and attendees definitely benefit from a chance to process what they’ve seen, heard, felt, learned, and experienced. Don’t forget to include those who financially supported your group’s trip in your “thank-yous” — a special presentation about your experience is a great way to “close the covenant” you began with them by accepting their aid.

Notes & Links

  • 2025 Note: GA evaluations shift year to year