BCYC Encounter
Conference Info and Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do we eat?
All participants will eat meals in the Benedictine College Dining Hall.
Where will I stay?
All participants will be housed in single sex college dorms. Teens and their adult chaperones will be housed on the same dorm floor, but in separate rooms in order to be in accord with Safe Environment policies. Please note that chaperones will share a room with other chaperones. All bedding is provided, but many participants choose to bring an extra pillow or blanket just in case. The dorms can be particularly cold at night.
What if I’m flying in?
We are located 40 minutes North of the Kansas City Airport (MCI) and recommend that groups flying in book a shuttle to and from campus.
Do you accept roommate requests?
Yes, we do! On your detailed registration form, which you will receive after you register for BCYC, there is a place for you to request a roommate. There are sometimes large groups of students who all request one another. We do our best to honor all roommate requests but cannot guarantee that all requests will be granted. All roommate requests must be submitted at least one month before the conference begins. After that point we cannot accept roommate requests.
We will make sure that all teens are rooming with another teen from their youth group regardless of requests!
Who should I call in case of emergency?
Our staff will be available 24/7 during all conferences to answer any questions and handle emergencies. If you need to get in contact with the BCYO Staff at any time for any reason please call (913) 360-7406.
What do I do if I have a food allergy?
If you have any dietary restrictions, please make sure to list them on your detailed registration form in the ‘allergies’ section. If you have already completed this form and have a new dietary restriction or forgot to list it, please e-mail us at youthoutreach@benedictine.edu to let us know so that we can update your information.
What is the weather like and how should I dress?
Kansas is warm during the summer. It is hot during the day and pleasant at night and in the mornings. Some of the buildings may be chilly so please plan to bring a sweater or jacket. Please dress in modest, comfortable clothing. We expect that all shorts will be longer than t-shirts or sweatshirts at all times, that no midriffs are showing, and that the shoulder straps on all tank tops are at least three fingers wide. Please refrain from wearing low cut tops, miniskirts, short shorts, or tube tops.
How many chaperones do I need to bring for my group?
We ask that each group brings at least one male and one female chaperone so that their teens are supervised in the dorms. Youth ministers and their chaperones will be directly responsible for their teens throughout the conference. We ask that you refer to your Diocese’ guidelines on adult to teen ratios for overnight trips and adhere to their policies.
Who will lead the Small Groups?
Group leaders will be responsible for their teens. Having adult leaders lead the small groups for their teens helps to form lasting community among your group, which is one of our Benedictine charisms. If you are interested in resources on how to lead an effective small group discussion, or how to conduct small group leader training, please contact Patricia Oliver at youthoutreach@benedictine.edu.
Can I register as an individual?
Yes, individuals can register for Encounter as space allows! BCYC Missionaries will lead groups of students who have registered for the conference as individuals. If you are registering outside of a group, please refer to the Immersion FAQ page for details.
