As we prepare for the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) this November, one of our most important responsibilities as group leaders is creating an environment where young people can relax, participate fully, and know they are cared for.

Safety isn’t about fear—it’s about peace of mind. When young people feel secure, they can focus on the joy, friendship, and encounter with Christ that NCYC is all about.

Here are five simple ways to help your group have a safe and formative experience:

1. Set Expectations Early: Before you even leave home, gather your participants to review how the group will move through the event together—how you will establish meeting points, buddy systems, curfew times, and behavior expectations. Clarity upfront prevents confusion later. To view the NCYC behavior guidelines and NFCYM’s Code of Conduct Click Here>

2. Establish a Communications Plan: Make sure everyone knows how to reach the appropriate leaders during the event. Exchange cell numbers, use a group messaging app, and designate daily check-in times. Young people feel safe and supported when they know how to find you.

3. Prioritize Rest, Meals, and Emotional Care: Tired, hungry, or overwhelmed teens are more likely to feel anxious, get sick, and miss out on NCYC programming. Encourage and support self-care by building in time for meals, rest, and prayer—and check in regularly on how your teens are feeling.

4. Teach Street Smarts: Remind teens to pause and look both ways at intersections and crosswalks and be aware of people and situations around them. It sounds basic, but teens caught up in conversation, wearing headphones, looking backward at their adult leaders, or following the crowd can easily become unsafe. Remind young people to be aware of their surroundings and free of distractions when moving throughout the city. Remind your young people always travel in groups and never walk through downtown alone.

5. Take Security Checkpoints Seriously: Make sure young people are prepared to show their credentials when entering the stadium and convention center. Walk—never run—through entry points. Ensure young people understand your expectation that they will listen to and comply with the instructions given by the security workers throughout the event. This ensures our checkpoints operate smoothly and our security partners are not distracted by having to repeat instructions. As a reminder, we ask you to always wear your credentials when inside Lucas Oil Stadium and the convention center.

Everything outlined here applies to adult participants as well. Group leaders and chaperones should model the behavior and positive attitude we want to see from our youth participants.