What is Junior Gathering?

A child and an adult in a Junior Gathering staff tshirt sit beside each other outside, cutting shapes out of paper.
  • Home base for newborns to rising ninth graders (Click here for High School program)
  • Where young people learn, play, and thrive at the Gathering
  • A time for games, songs, and stories
  • A place to make friends and experience Quakerism with Friends from across the continent
  • Full of fun and educational Quaker-based activities led by a diverse, caring, and skilled staff

Junior Gathering offers:

  • Morning program (8:45-noon), while adults attend weeklong workshops
  • Inter-Gen activities (1:30-5:30 PM) for all ages to play and learn together
  • Evening program (7-9:00 PM), beginning with all-Gathering worship then moving to our program spaces

The Junior Gathering staff were great- full of lightness and love.

Sprouts Parent

Age Groups

Participants are placed in age-based groups during Gathering week. We aim for a child to staff ratio of 4:1 for older children, 2:1 for toddlers, and 1:1 for infants. Junior Gathering staff strive to keep our Junior Gathering community engaging, nurturing, inclusive and welcoming of all children and families.

Learn more about Junior Gathering age groups by clicking the + symbols below. Please keep in mind that group structure and age ranges change from year to year, and are not finalized until youth registration closes.

Preparing for Junior Gathering: Visit this link for packing lists and other steps to get ready for Junior Gathering!

Acorns: Infant, Toddlers, and Preschoolers

Acorns is our group of youngest Friends, including infants, toddlers and preschoolers. Infants spend the morning as they would at home. Our experienced staff support each child’s needs of feeding, diapering, napping, comfort and care. Older Acorns spend the mornings in a variety of spirited outdoor activities, including water play, ball play and tricycle (car, fire engine!) riding. They will sing songs, hear stories and make beautiful crafts. In the evenings, Acorns participate in all-Gathering worship with their families and then join together with older groups for relaxed outdoor play. Parents may also choose to have an earlier bedtime or keep their little ones with them during the evening. Acorns are lovingly supported and cared for by a coordinator and well qualified support staff. Please indicate special needs, including nap times, on the parental release form.

Children in this age group must be signed in and out of the group by a responsible adult.

Sprouts: Early Elementary

Sprouts is our early elementary group. They spend their mornings with peers and are lovingly supported and cared for by a coordinator and well qualified support staff. Activities are planned by the coordinator and can include anything from art-making to singing, dancing, outdoor play, and worship. Many activities are tied to the Gathering theme and are designed to introduce children to Quaker testimonies and values. In the evenings, Sprouts participate in all-Gathering worship and then join together with other Junior Gathering groups for relaxed outdoor play.

Children in this age group must be signed in and out of the group by a responsible adult.

Saplings: Middle Elementary

Saplings is our middle elementary group. They spend their mornings with peers and are lovingly supported and cared for by a coordinator and well qualified support staff. Activities are planned by the coordinator and can include anything from art-making to singing, dancing, outdoor play, and worship. Many activities are tied to the Gathering theme and are designed to introduce children to Quaker testimonies and values. In the evenings, Saplings participate in all-Gathering worship and then join together with other Junior Gathering groups for relaxed outdoor play.

Children in this age group must be signed in and out of the group by a responsible adult.

Pine Trees: Older Elementary

Pine Trees is the older elementary group. Pine Trees spend their mornings with peers and are lovingly supported and cared for by a coordinator and well qualified support staff. Activities are planned by the coordinator and can include anything from art-making to singing, dancing, outdoor play, and worship. Many activities are tied to the Gathering theme and are designed to introduce children to Quaker testimonies and values. In the evenings, Pine Trees participate in all-Gathering worship and then join together with other Junior Gathering groups for relaxed outdoor play.

Children in this age group must be signed in and out of the group by a responsible adult.

Oaks: Middle School

Oaks are the oldest Junior Gathering participants, typically those who have completed at least one year of middle school (rising 7th-9th grades). Oaks is a time to explore leadings, discover more independence and create a Quaker community with Friends from across the continent. Every year, Oaks Co-Coordinators develop a dynamic program for morning and evening sessions that may include worship, workshops, games, check-ins, discussion, and recreational activity choices. Some activities may be tied to the Gathering theme, and include explorations of identity, spirituality, and Quaker faith and practice.

Outside of Junior Gathering, youth and parents begin practice setting boundaries as youth build independence and trust. Oaks can sign themselves in and out of the program (with parent/sponsor permission). We encourage families to check-in regularly, preferably several times a day. It’s important to stay in touch throughout the day, so we strongly suggest meeting up:

  • at meals
  • during the afternoon
  • during the evening, right after program time

Parents and sponsors, we remind you that you are in charge of setting boundaries and enforcing those boundaries during the mornings before program time, all afternoon, and evenings after 9 pm. The dynamic community we look forward to creating every year comes together best when parents/sponsors, Oak participants, and staff work together to ensure a safe and happy environment for everyone.

Supervision of Children during Gathering

Parents or sponsors are responsible for supervision of their children at all times except during Junior Gathering programming. Plan to spend all meal times, afternoon free times, and evenings after 9:00 PM together as a family.

A Typical Day in Junior Gathering

A picture of a staff member reading to two children.

7-8:30 Breakfast

8:45-12:00 Junior Gathering Morning Program (parents/sponsors in workshops)

12:00-1:30 Lunch

1:30-5:00 Afternoon Family Time

  • InterGen activities 1:30-3:15 Capture the Flag, Kites and More!
  • Borrow books, balls, board games & more at the Junior Gathering Office!
  • Field Trips
  • Make your own plans

5:00-6:30 Dinner

6:45-9:00 Junior Gathering Evening Program (beginning with families all together at Evening Plenary).

Most years, an all-ages evening plenary takes place on Friday evenings. Junior Gathering does not meet on all-ages program night.

9:15 Bedtime for little ones – cooperative childcare in the dorm for parents to go to Late Night Sings, Films, or Contra Dance.

10:00 Dorm Curfew – all Oaks Participants must be in their own dorms. Quiet Time (Gathering quiet time from 10 PM – 7 AM)

11:00 Room Curfew – all Oaks Participants must be in their own rooms.


For more information, visit the Junior Gathering FAQ page.

If you want to learn more about Junior Gathering or have questions, please contact: Gathering Youth Coordinator or the co-clerks at JG@fgcquaker.org

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