Housing at YAY Gathering
At the Colombiere Retreat Center, all housing, meals, and programming for YAY Gathering will be in the same building.
Meals begin with dinner July 2 through lunch on July 6, and are included in lodging and commuting fees. For Friends staying on-site, breakfast, lunch, & dinner is included. For Friends commuting, lunch and dinner are included.
Prior to Wednesday, July 2, housing is only available to staff and approved volunteers. On-campus housing is not available after Sunday morning, July 6.
General Housing Information
Most rooms at the Colombiere Retreat Center are double rooms (two twin sized beds) with bathrooms in the hallway. Some are not air-conditioned. There are a limited number of triple rooms, single rooms, rooms with attached bathrooms, and rooms with air-conditioning – those will be assigned based on family size and accessibility needs. You can share your access needs on your YAY Gathering registration.
Linens are included. Children on the floor must bring their bedroll, pillow, and towel.
Internet Access: There is free wireless throughout the retreat center
Housing Clusters
While all housing will be in the same building, there will be different housing clusters on different floors and wings of the building.
Adult Young Friends
AYF Cluster (Adult Young Friends) is open to adults aged 18-35. You may participate in all of the AYF programs regardless of whether or not you live in the AYF Cluster. Families which include parents who identify as AYF and young children up to age 5 are welcome in the AYF Cluster.
High School
All High School participants and High School program staff are housed in the High School wing
Families
Families are housed together according to the age of the oldest Junior Gathering aged child. Families with children 5 years or younger may choose the Adult Young Friends cluster. In this case, families are less likely to be housed near similarly aged children.
Adult Friends
Adult Friends (age 35+) will be housed in the same area as families with children.
Further Information About Dorms
Children on the floor
Children age 2 years or younger may sleep on the floor of a room. Children sleeping on the floor must bring a bedroll, pillow, and towel. If a single parent chooses a double room with one child on the floor, we will make every effort to find them parent-and-child roommates.
Accessibility Needs
Please indicate your mobility limitations in the Accessibility portion of the Gathering registration form. If you have other specific housing needs, please be specific when you complete your registration. ADA rooms are available. If you have concerns about how your needs will be met, please contact the Gathering office.
Gender Diversity
FGC is committed to supporting trans and gender-nonconforming Friends. Anyone with concerns about the availability of housing, bathrooms, or other facilities appropriate to their gender identity and expression may contact Gathering Staff for information and support.
Tent and RV Camping
At this time, we are unable to offer tent or RV camping on campus at the YAY Gathering. If YAY Gathering housing fills to capacity, we may be able to allow some Friends to switch to camping on site.
Friends who wish to camp offsite may register as commuters. Pontiac Lake and Holly Recreation Areas offer campgrounds within a 20 minute drive of Colombiere. See the Michigan Parks and Recreation website for details and availability.
Meals
Meals at Colombiere are included with the Housing & Campus fee. For Friends staying at Colombiere, breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included. For Friends commuting, lunch and dinner are included. Meals begin with dinner on the day you arrive, and end with lunch on Sunday, July 6.
Meals will be served in the cafeteria, with options to take food outside to eat.
Children 2 years and under eat for free. Commuters may choose a meal plan or purchase individual meals for cash in the cafeteria.
Special Diets: Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free dishes will be a part of all meals. Friends with medical dietary needs may be accommodated in the cafeteria if they provide specific information about their requirements when they register. We do not believe the cafeteria can accommodate dietary needs that require separate prep areas and equipment.
No Pets
Pets are not allowed at the Gathering. Trained service animals are permitted – please arrange in advance with the Gathering Office.