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FAQ

Below are answers to common questions about planning for and participating in NCYC. The questions are grouped by topic to make it easier to find what you’re seeking.

If you can’t find your question below, please email us at [email protected].

Ticket Process

Any adult over the age of 21 may purchase passes. NFCYM expects members will purchase most passes, but the system is open to non-members as well. NFCYM reserves the right to cancel and refund non-member bulk purchases if it is suspected that they were purchased by a company to resell for a profit.

Payments will be processed using PayPal, which accepts all major credit cards, bank debit cards, and eCheck. Having a PayPal account already set up will expedite your checkout process but is not required. If you don’t have a PayPal account, you can set it up during checkout.

If necessary, payments of $2,500 or more may be made by paper check from a Catholic parish, school, or diocesan business/corporate account (no personal checks). The check must be received within ten (10) business days, or risk the sale being voided.

According to PayPal, “an eCheck is an electronic payment funded by the buyer’s [your] bank account. An eCheck must clear the bank before it’s credited to the recipient [NFCYM]. It usually takes up to 6 business days for an eCheck to clear and the money to appear in the recipient’s PayPal account. Before you make a payment, make sure you have enough money in your bank account to cover the eCheck. If there’s not enough money in your bank account, the bank will decline the payment and PayPal will represent it a second time. The full amount will always be requested from your bank.”

If you wish to use eCheck, you must have a PayPal account and your banking information must be part of your profile. You cannot use eCheck as a guest or add the information during the checkout process.

No. You cannot return passes, nor are they refundable. They are transferable. You must notify NFCYM of the sale and remain responsible for the transfer of all related materials, including links to required consent forms, to the purchasing party.

You can sell unneeded passes. Once you buy a pass, you own it. It is not refundable (unless NCYC is cancelled). You must notify NFCYM of the sale (name of new owner, updated email address, and phone number), You remain responsible for the transfer of any related communications, information, and materials, including links to required consent forms, to the purchasing party until the transfer is acknowledged by NFCYM.

While not actual paperwork, NFCYM has three requirements.

  1. All NCYC participants, or their guardians, must complete an NFCYM/NCYC Legal Agreement (aka “liability waiver”).

  2. To print credentials, delegation leaders must upload the following information for each person in their group: First Name; Badge Name (either first name or nickname); Last Name; Participant Type (youth, adult, priest, deacon); Email Address (participant’s if an adult, guardian’s if a youth); Interpretation Needs (Spanish, ASL).

  3. Confirmation of safe environment policy compliance – adults only.

 

The legal agreement is a cloud-based form available for distribution through Permission Click (PC).  Once group leaders upload participant details, NFCYM will email the link to the form.

While NFCYM does not require anything else, if you are coordinating a group for in-person participation, we recommend you collect your own permission/consent form and a medical permission form, including emergency contact informationinsurance information, and pertinent health and medical information for each person in your group. Your parish, school, diocese, or organization should have templates for these forms. If traveling as a family, these forms would not be necessary. 

All members (associate, diocesan, etc.) may purchase passes at a discounted rate. The discount does not extend from the diocese to the parishes and schools within the diocese. Parish and school leaders may purchase discounted tickets if they are either an associate member or a named representative of a diocesan or organizational member. 

No. The discount does not automatically extend from the member diocese to the parishes and schools within the diocese. If you are a named representative for your diocese, you qualify for the member discount. If not, before you purchase passes, you may become an associate member and then be eligible to buy passes at the discounted rate.

Membership must be in place BEFORE purchasing tickets for the discount to apply.  Discounts do not apply retroactively. Fees will not be adjusted after purchase.

Yes. Delegation leaders will receive a name badge and lanyard for each pass that has a completed Legal Agreement associated with it. These credentials will be used to identify people as event participants to gain access to the facility. Lanyards will differentiate adult and youth participants.

Yes. Scholarships are available for individuals and groups. Detailed information along with applications and a timeline are available at ncyc.us/scholarships

The NFCYM scholarship program’s objective is to grow and support the mission of NFCYM through offering opportunities for financial aid and grants for national events under three tenants:

  • Serve under-represented communities
  • Extend economic assistance to those in need
  • Offer the opportunity for new and diverse individuals to participate in NCYC.

If you have specific scholarship related questions, please contact us at [email protected]

Purchasers must affirm they are over 21 years old and understand that youth must be chaperoned to participate. Also, passes must be paid for at the time of purchase, which means the purchaser will need a credit card or checking account, which most minors do not have.

No participant information is needed to purchase passes or reserve hotel rooms. Only the delegation leader’s (purchaser) name and contact information will be needed at the initial stage. However, no later than October 1, NFCYM will need the following information for each participant:

  • First Name
  • Badge Name (either first name or nickname)
  • Last Name
  • Participant Type (youth, adult, priest, deacon)
  • Email Address (participant’s if an adult, guardian’s if a youth)
  • Interpretation Needs (Spanish, ASL)

 

To pick up credentials, NFCYM requires that a completed NFCYM/NCYC Legal Agreement from each participant in the delegation be on file and each adult participant’s safe environment policy compliance must be verified to receive credentials. 

Yes. The official title of the form is NFCYM/NCYC Legal Agreement. There are separate forms for adult and youth participants.

The forms will be distributed and collected via Permission Click using participant email addresses provided in September by the participants’ group leader.

Each adult participant and youth participant’s guardian MUST submit the appropriate 2022 NFCYM/NCYC Legal Agreement on or before October 15.  No completed form = no credentials for those participants. Failure to complete the Legal Agreement is not grounds for a refund.

(Note: An amended form from a previous NCYC is not acceptable.)

Please follow the requirements of your local organization (diocese/school). We strongly recommend a ratio of 1 adult per 5-6 youth.

No. NFCYM will only refund passes if NCYC is cancelled.

No. NFCYM will only refund passes if NCYC is cancelled.

No. NFCYM will only refund passes if NCYC is cancelled. 

Please direct your bishop or the bishop’s assistant to the Bishop Registration Page where they can register for NCYC and someone will reach out to them.

Future NCYC

  • 2025 NCYC in Indianapolis – November 20-22, 2025
  • 2026 NCYC in Long Beach – November 18-20, 2024

Visit the Future NCYCs webpage for more information.

NFCYM is committed to hosting impactful NCYCs. We know this requires detailed information for planning and participation. Click the button below to access a synopsis of our planning timeline and key milestones to facilitate effective coordination by group leaders. 

Please visit the NCYC Planning Timeline & Key Milestone page.

Terms and Conditions

The National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) credential is revocable, non-transferable, and must be clearly displayed at all times. It entitles the bearer to enter only those NCYC events, sites, and areas therein as appropriate. Presence in unauthorized areas will serve as grounds for suspension or termination of access privileges. By acceptance and use of the credential, the bearer

  1. Agrees to comply with all NCYC behavior guidelines, appropriate code of conduct (adultyouthvendor), and facility rules and regulations in effect at the time of NCYC, and understands that violation thereof may result in termination of access privileges;
  2. Consents to being recorded, photographed, videotaped, or filmed within and about the areas to which access is permitted, waiving all claims and rights relating to production, acquisition, sale, usage, and distribution of such material, in any form now known or later in use, worldwide;
  3. Voluntarily assumes all risks and dangers incidental to the events and activities for which the credential is issued, whether occurring prior to, during, or after same, and agrees that the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry, Inc. (NFCYM) and its agents and staff and all other official NCYC participants are not responsible or liable for injuries or damage suffered by the bearer resulting from or arising out of such activities;
  4. Consents to a reasonable search of carry-in items and/or his or her person for security reasons, if deemed necessary by NFCYM or law enforcement agencies.

Failure to comply with the above conditions may result in non-admission and/or confiscation thereof. The sale or attempted sale of the credential is prohibited. In case of loss, a substitute may be issued at NFCYM’s discretion.

Hotels

The list of hotels in the NCYC block is posted on our website. The list includes the number and types of rooms in our block, our group rate, and notes if breakfast is included in the rate.

Delegation leaders may reserve hotel rooms through the NCYC registration site. They will need to know the number and type (one bed/two beds) of rooms needed and arrival and departure dates.

Hotels generally require a three-night stay—Thursday to Sunday—to qualify for the NCYC group rate.

Requests of 10 or Fewer Rooms PER NIGHT

Those needing 10 or fewer rooms will use what amounts to a reservation process. The purchaser will select from a list of available hotels and provide a valid credit card number to reserve the rooms. The card will not be charged until check-in, when another valid form of payment may be substituted, or in the case of a no-show.

Requests of 11 or More Rooms PER NIGHT

To reserve 11 or more rooms per night, the delegation leader will need:

  • Five (5) preferred hotels in the NCYC block
  • Criteria (i.e. location, rate, meeting space, breakfast, parking) to be used if top preference isn’t available

Every effort will be made to place the delegation in one of the five selections. If those hotels are no longer available or cannot accommodate the delegation’s needs, the criteria will be used to suggest appropriate alternatives. Deposits will be made directly with the hotel once the delegation has been assigned to a property. Deposits are not generally due immediately but should be made on a timeline agreed upon between the hotel representative and the delegation.

Our preference is that delegations request/reserve hotel rooms immediately following the purchase of passes. If that is not possible, you may return to request rooms later. We anticipate having enough rooms in our block to accommodate all participant requests, but availability will become more limited the closer we get to November.

For 10 or fewer rooms per night, you should receive confirmation within one week.

For 11 or more rooms per night, you should receive confirmation within no more than three weeks.

Every major hotel chain has its own COVID-19 response plan that meets industry standards and are guided by CDC recommendations. You will need to check the hotel website for specifics.

Two-bedded rooms can generally accommodate a maximum of four people–two per bed. One-bedded rooms max at two people unless they have a pull-out couch or rollaway bed. Room capacity cannot exceed the maximum number of people as defined by the hotel.

Programming

We’re not sure of the origin of this practice but it has long been a part of NCYC. Participants bring small items from their hometowns or dioceses that they give away or trade with other participants. It’s a great tool for meeting new people. Cool hats (think cheese wedges from Wisconsin groups or lobsters from Maine) are often coveted trade items. But shirts, hoodies, shells, handmade crosses, are also great mementoes of the experience. We recommend staying away from anything that has sharp edges, is especially hard (i.e., plastic frisbees, clothes pins!), or will make particularly annoying noise (i.e., vuvuzelas). If you wouldn’t want the item at an event you were planning to host, we don’t want it at NCYC.

Yes! Please!

Priests who wish to provide sacramental ministry at NCYC
(concelebrate Mass, hear confessions) or deacon who wish to vest and assist at Mass must submit a Letter of Suitability from their bishop or religious superior to the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. The letter must reference their suitability for ministry and their completion of safe environment training and
background check status.

Letters should be addressed to:

Reverend Monsignor William Stumpf, Vicar General
Attn: Office of Clergy
Archdiocese of Indianapolis
1400 N. Meridian Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202

Email the letter to [email protected] with a courtesy copy (cc) to [email protected] 

Click here to sign up for Mass and confession slots now.

Concession stands will be open in the convention center from 11 am to 3 pm on Friday and Saturday. There will be more limited options available until 6 pm.

There are lots of restaurants in the surrounding hotels and area. Food trucks may be present, but we won’t know which ones or where they will be stationed until much closer to the conference.

Safe ENVIRONMENT

NFCYM will follow the requirements of Lucas Oil Stadium and the Indiana Convention Center and the local health department regarding COVID-19 mitigation in effect at the time of NCYC. Neither entity currently requires vaccination, testing, or masking for visitors. If this changes, NFCYM will communicate the changes to ticket purchasers via email.

Yes. All chaperones must be compliant with their sponsoring organization’s safe environment policy. For most, this means that each adult must complete a youth protection training course, submit to a criminal background screening (which cannot reveal any disqualifying offenses), and agree to a code of conduct. Delegation leaders must attest that all adults in their group are compliant before NCYC credentials will be released onsite.

You must follow the requirements of your local organization (diocese/parish/school).  Generally, you should have two adults for the first one to ten youth, and one adult for every six additional youth. We recommend the overall ratio of one adult per six youth. To the best of their ability, groups should have male and female chaperones in proportion to the makeup of the group. 

NFCYM has codes of conduct for adult and youth participants and vendor personnel.

These codes are excerpted from NFCYM’s  Safeguarding God’s Children policies.

The Behavior Guidelines address general behavior or conduct during NCYC.

Click Here to read the Guidelines.

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2023 Host

Mari Pablo

Mari Pablo is a proud Hispanic and cradle Catholic whose life was wrecked in the best possible way when she finally decided to stop fighting and surrender it all to Him. Mari has joyfully worked in youth ministry for over fifteen years, both as a youth minister and theology teacher, and as a presenter for Ascension Press. Mari has a deep love for food but an even greater love for Christ and is dedicated to helping others encounter Him.

2023 Host

Sr. Josephine Garrett, CSFN

Sister Josephine is a native Texan, raised baptist in Houston Texas. Jesus called her to religious life in 2011 and in 2020 Sister made her final vows as a Sister of the Holy Family of Nazareth. She ministers as a licensed mental health counselor, and also serves on the community vocations team and as a national speaker. 

ABOUT NFCYM

The National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM) is a membership organization dedicated to advancing the field of pastoral ministry to young people.

Members enjoy:

  • Professional training, resourcing, and support
  • Full access to our resources and webinars,
  • Special rates to NFCYM events, and more.

You will now be directed to NFCYM.ORG to complete registration.

ABOUT NFCYM

The National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM) is a membership organization dedicated to advancing the field of pastoral ministry to young people.

Members enjoy:

  • Professional training, resourcing, and support
  • Full access to our resources and webinars,
  • Special rates to NFCYM events, and more.

You will now be directed to NFCYM.ORG to complete registration.

2023 Host

Mari Pablo

Mari Pablo is a proud Hispanic and cradle Catholic whose life was wrecked in the best possible way when she finally decided to stop fighting and surrender it all to Him. Mari has joyfully worked in youth ministry for over fifteen years, both as a youth minister and theology teacher, and as a presenter for Ascension Press. Mari has a deep love for food but an even greater love for Christ and is dedicated to helping others encounter Him.

2023 Host

Sr. Josephine Garrett, CSFN

Sister Josephine is a native Texan, raised baptist in Houston Texas. Jesus called her to religious life in 2011 and in 2020 Sister made her final vows as a Sister of the Holy Family of Nazareth. She ministers as a licensed mental health counselor, and also serves on the community vocations team and as a national speaker.