Arrival | Check-in

Arrival  

  • Buses: Enter campus by way of Franciscan Way West and proceed as directed by Campus Security to the staging area (Parking Lot H) where buses will park and Group Leaders will proceed to check in.
  • Cars/Vans: Enter campus by way of Franciscan Way West and park anywhere on campus (adhering to handicap and conference reserved signage). 

Check In 

Check in is on Friday from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the St. Joseph Center Seminar Room. Every group must check-in before they can participate in any aspect of the conference.

Upon arrival, all adult chaperones must present a valid form of ID and have their Adult Chaperone Verification Form stamped by the Registration Team. There is an ID check station in Parking Lot H for those traveling by bus. After the ID check/verification is complete, the Group Leader and one chaperone may proceed to the Seminar Room with all forms to checkin, where you will receive wristbands, Fast Pass entry times, and housing assignments for your group. We do not have room to accommodate everyone in the Seminar Room, so please make sure additional chaperones and all youth wait outside. 

Groups must be checkedin before they can attend the Travelers Mass at 4 pm. 

Forms 

Make sure to bring the following forms: 

  • On-Site Breakdown Form
  • Adult Chaperone Verification Forms–one for each of your chaperones; have IDs ready also, unless already verified at Parking Lot H.
  • Sunday Lunch Form (for groups of 30 or more) 

Be sure your whole group has submitted Liability Forms via your Dashboard. 

Franciscan LEAD Participants

If your youth have attended Franciscan LEAD, they must be picked up by a chaperone at checkin on Friday, outside the St. Joseph Center. 

In case of rain, LEAD participants will be in the J.C. Williams Center. 

Bus Drivers

Bus Drivers 

Weekend Parking 

  • Buses may park in any of the parking lots indicated below for the duration of the weekend. 
    • St. Joseph Center 
    • Behind the George Rice Music Center  
    • Turf Field Parking Lot 

Please do not park in the Franciscan Square parking lot! 

Transportation 

We provide transportation for bus drivers to and from their bus and hotel on Friday afternoon and Sunday morning. This is on an on-call basis. If you need transportation, please contact the Transportation Team by calling 740-317-4340.

Sunday Mass 

Mass on Sunday at the University is at 10 a.m. in the JCWC Gentile Gallery (Lower Level JC)

Parking Sunday 

  • Please park in Parking Lot “H,” behind the Finnegan Fieldhouse, near the baseball field. There will be Security present to provide directions.  
  • We encourage you to bring the bus on campus Sunday morning starting at 6 a.m. All buses should be staged in Parking Lot “H”.  This helps make the loading of luggage smoother for the participants. Coordinate with your Group Leader about loading the buses. 
  • If you have any questions or concerns throughout the weekend, please call Conference Information Center at 740-283-6801. 

Cafe, Pub & Shopping Hours | Main Campus

Clear Creek Coffee
Located on the 2nd floor of the J.C. Williams Center

  • Friday
    • 2:00 PM– 10:30PM
  • Saturday 
    • 6:0010:30pm
  • Sunday
    • 6:00am-2:00pm

Pub
Located on the 2nd floor of the J.C. Williams Center

  • Friday
    • 6:00 PM– 11:00 PM
  • Saturday
    • 1:00pm-4:00pm (+ Hot Food)
    • 9:00pm11:00pm 
  • Sunday
    • Closed

Steubenville Conference Marketplace, operated by Catholic to the Max

Located in the Fieldhouse Lobby

  • Friday:
    • 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm
    • 9:00 pm to Midnight
  • Saturday:
    • 7:00 am to 9:00 am
    • 10:30 am to 4:00 pm
    • 5:00 pm to 7:30 pm
    • 9:30 pm to Midnight
  • Sunday:
    • 7:00 am to 9:00 am
    • 11:30 am to 1:30 pm

Franciscan University Campus Store
Located on the lower level of the J.C. Williams Center

  • Friday
    • 9:00 AM – 6:30 PM
  • Saturday
    • 7:00 AM – 6:30 PM
  • Sunday
    • 7:00 AM – 10:00 AM

Campus Rules and Behavior Expectations

General Campus Rules 

Chaperones must know where their teens are at all times. 

No drugs or alcohol. If any are found, the participant/group can be subject to immediate expulsion. 

Smoking

The Ohio Smoke-Free Workplace Act prohibits smoking in all buildings/tents on the campus of Franciscan University and in areas adjacent to building entrances. Smoking is also prohibited outdoors within 30 feet of all building entrances and open windows where smoke may enter a building and in any other designated outdoor nonsmoking area. Please respect those around you by complying with these mandates. Ohio State Law also prohibits the purchase, possession, and use of tobacco products by anyone under the age of 21. Please help us by obeying this law.

Property Damage

The responsible party will pay for full repair/replacement costs. 

Young Children and Infants

Infants and children are generally not permitted into the youth conference due to high decibel sound levels. In addition, Group Leaders and adult chaperones must keep as their top priority oversight of their youth. 


Dress Code/Language 

All participants, including adults, are expected to dress appropriately in modest attire. 

Clothing must cover all undergarments and midriffs.    

Bikini tops, low cut tops, mini skirts, yoga pants and short shorts are unacceptable. 

Inappropriate and profane attire are not to be worn at any time during the conference.   

Shirts and shoes are to be worn at all times.    

Foul and abusive language will not be permitted. 

Group Leaders and adult chaperones are expected to communicate these expectations to their youth beforehand and to enforce the dress code at the conference.    


Discipline/Disclaimers 

All conference participants are expected to follow the direction of the Conference Staff and Security, in addition to posted signage.  Any instances of insubordination will be subject to appropriate discipline. 

Franciscan University of Steubenville and the Conference Office reserve the right to handle disciplinary situations in a way that best serves the overall conference, including the right to deny entrance to, or request the ejection of, any group or individual who does not comply with the regulations and policies of Franciscan University of Steubenville’s High School Youth Conferences. Should this happen, no refund will be given. 

For security reasons, Franciscan University of Steubenville reserves the right to check all bags/luggage/containers and confiscate any of the aforementioned items that are brought to our High School Youth Conferences. 


Misconduct 

The following are misconduct issues that will not be tolerated at High School Youth Conferences:   

  • Use, possession, or distribution of narcotic or other controlled substances or drug paraphernalia except as expressly permitted by law.  
  • Public intoxication, or use, possession, sale, consumption, or distribution of alcoholic beverages except as expressly permitted by the law and by University regulations.
  • Possession or use of firearms, explosives, other weapons, incendiary devices, firecrackers or dangerous chemicals on University premises. 

Reporting an Incident 

If you witness a youth or adult chaperone violating any policy in regard to Child Protection or Franciscan University of Steubenville’s guidelines, you are required to report it immediately to a member of the Campus Security or Conference Staff. 

Campus Security can be reached at: 740-283-6333. 


Safe Environment 

In order to ensure the safety of all our youth and remain in compliance with the policies established by the Diocese of Steubenville and Franciscan University of Steubenville, all adult chaperones are required to provide proof of their Safe Environment Training.  

Every adult chaperone must also be background checked to the specifications of his/her home diocese. Proof of these specifications must be presented to the Conference Office via the Adult Chaperone Verification Form at the time of checkin for the conference.  

Priests must submit a “Letter of Good Standing. directly to the diocese of Steubenville who will then review this information and dispense faculties as applicableAll information pertaining to faculties will be on file with the University Chapel Office. 


Session Expectations 

Refrain from running and/or participating in crowd surfing.

Inflatable items brought into the Fieldhouse should be no larger than a standard basketball. Inflatable objects larger than this will be confiscated and not returned. Additionally, any inflatable that lands on the stage will be confiscated and discarded.

Do not go on the stage unless invited by the host or a speaker.

Flash photography is not permitted during the liturgy per the Diocese of Steubenville. 

Videotaping is not permitted during any sessions. 

Refrain from standing on, folding, or moving chairs. 

Keep the aisles clear. 

Group Leaders | Chaperones | Prayer Ministry

Group Leaders

Please see the attached document for your Group Leader Information Packet, should you need to reference it throughout the weekend: 2024 Group Leader Information Packet.

Group Leader informational meetings will be at 5:00 p.m. and 5:45 p.m. in the Aerobics Room, Second Floor, FFH.  Group leaders and new chaperones are expected to attend.


Adult Chaperone Responsibilities (incl. Group Leaders & Priests)

  • Know where your youth are at all times.
  • Effectively communicate said rules and regulations to all members of your group.
  • Adhere to all posted signage pertaining to the conference on the campus of Franciscan University, and ensure that the youth of your group do the same.
  • Attend to the needs of the youth throughout the duration of the conference weekend.
  • Lead small groups.
  • Be present and helpful to the youth, especially in dealing with points of confusion or misunderstanding.
  • Pray with and for the youth of your group throughout the duration of the conference.

Prayer Ministry

The First Line of Defense

Thank you for your yes to care for and minister to the youth at the Steubenville Youth Conference!

The Group Leader and adult chaperones are the primary ministers to the youth on the weekend. Please be sure to share all of this information with all adult chaperones and religious in your group.

The Team of Prayer Ministers

Prayer ministers will be wearing red shirts and will be available on Friday and Saturday night and Sunday morning. They may approach you to ask if you need assistance. Feel free to approach a prayer minister for help.

Role of Prayer Ministry

The role of prayer ministry is to serve and support you and your chaperones by offering spiritual assistance to the youth in your group. Prayer ministry is an extension of the ministry done by the ministry team from the stage and by you as the Group Leader and chaperones. They can assist you if there are several youth that need attention or if there is a particular situation that you and your chaperones are unsure how to handle.

Remaining Present

If a prayer minister does assist your youth, it is ideal to have an adult chaperone from your group present to watch over and pray with them also. It is good for the youth to have a familiar person present. In addition, it is the adult chaperone who will be going home with the youth. Therefore, he or she can continue to pray for and with the youth at home if needed. If this is not possible, know that the prayer minister will encourage the youth and let them know that group leaders and chaperones are there for them, if need be.

Housing | Showers & Restrooms

Youth and Adult Chaperone Housing

Youth and chaperones will be housed in the same proximity, under the same roof, but will not be expected to share sleeping quarters (i.e. bedrooms). If your diocesan policy does not allow for youth and adults to be housed under the same roof, your group must stay off campus.

In the Evenings:

Your Housing Hosts are located on the first floor of your residence hall. They are available throughout the weekend should you need anything.

Lockdown

Make sure to take everything that you will need for the day with you when you leave for breakfast or the Morning Session, as all residence halls will be closed at 8:30 a.m. and will not open again until after the evening session.

You will not be permitted to enter the dorms during the day.

Expectations

Members of the opposite sex are not permitted in each other’s sleeping facilities.

Food in the residence halls is permitted, BUT please make sure to clean up after eating.

Do not move the furniture.

Leave a clear aisle from your door to your window for safety reasons. Additionally, do not open or otherwise touch the windows. No yelling out of or climbing through residence hall windows.

Everyone is to be in the dorms by midnight; do not leave the residence hall after this time.

Lights out is at 12:30 a.m.; Housing Hosts will announce this.

Please keep quiet after lights out. Group Leaders are responsible for the noise level of their youth.

No horseplay or excessive noise in residence hall restrooms.

No removing, damaging, or vandalizing signs or residence hall property.

Only main doors are to be used for entrance/exit throughout the weekend.

Close the curtains when changing.

Smoking and the use of candles is prohibited in all facilities.

Leave no trash behind; trash cans are available for your use during check out.

In order to abide more effectively by the Diocese of Steubenville’s Child Protection policies, all occupied rooms will be labeled with the Group Leader’s last name and the respective occupants, i.e. adult chaperone or youth. This will help us keep all participants safe and also help us find the respective Group Leaders and chaperones more quickly in case of emergency.  All guests may shower in the provided bathrooms in the assigned residence halls. Please note: Restrooms are designated by “Adult Chaperone” and “Youth” respectively, in order to adhere to Safe Environment standards.

Priest Housing

Priests will be housed separately from all other conference guests. These units are air conditioned.

Showers & Restrooms 

In the residence halls, all guests may shower in the provided bathrooms in the assigned residence halls. Please note, restrooms are designated by “Adult Chaperone” and “Youth” respectively, in order to adhere to Safe Environment standards. 

Meals | Allergies

Meals 

All meals will be served in the lower level of Antonian Hall.

Mealtimes are built into the schedule throughout the conferences; see the “Schedule” button for entry times.

Admittance to meals will be scheduled at designated times by wristband color.

Extra food and coffee is available for purchase at Cupertino’s Café in the J.C. Williams Center.


Allergies and Dietary Needs 

Allergies must be reported to the Conference Staff prior to the start of the conference.

Our food service provider can accommodate allergies to milk, eggs, wheat, soy, fish, shellfish, peanuts, tree nuts, gluten, and dairy, as well as diabetic needs and low sodium diets.

To ensure safety, those with food allergies will receive a purple “X” on their wristband at check in and will utilize a separate line in Antonian Hall to obtain their food.

 

Priests

We sincerely thank you for your service and for your beautiful testimony. We honestly could not have successful conferences without your diligent work.

Priests are asked to assist with the sacraments throughout the weekend whenever there are able. There will be sign ups on Friday evening. Please help us by signing up for as many time slots as you can in order to serve as many youth as possible.

Reconciliation: You will be asked to volunteer your time to hear confessions throughout the weekend. Please bring your own alb and stole, as we may not have enough to accommodate everyone.

Concelebrating Mass: All vesting for Mass will take place in the racquetball court, located in Finnegan Fieldhouse. You will be able to store your vestments there if you would like. If you need access to the room, please ask at Guest Services (located on the top floor of the J.C. Williams Center) and our staff will be able to assist you.

Please bring your own alb and stole, as we may not have enough to accommodate everyone. 

 

 

Shuttle Schedule

Shuttles are provided by the conference Transportation Team.  They are located at the Transportation Tent in the Rosary Circle, outside the J. C. Williams Center.

Shuttles are provided to various locations across campus.  They are also provided to/from the following area hotels:

  • Best Western Plus (Inn at Franciscan Square) and Wingate Inn by Wyndham

For shuttles around campus or to your hotel at any time, please go to the Transportation Tent located in the Rosary Circle, outside the J.C. Williams Center or call the Transportation Team at 740-317-4340.

The Portiuncula Chapel

The Portiuncula
Located behind Christ the King Chapel.

“Rebuild My Church”
When St. Francis heard those words from the mouth of the Lord, speaking through the San Damiano crucifix in a small, dilapidated church, he took them to mean simply rebuilding that and other church structures like it. That first tiny Portiuncula, a holy place and the center of St. Francis’ activity, is recreated here on Franciscan’s campus as a grace-filled haven for quiet meditation and eucharistic adoration.

Additional Use of the Portiuncula
The Portiuncula is mainly reserved for quiet prayer and adoration. Any vocal prayer is not encouraged in the Portiuncula itself. However, sites outside of the main chapel such as the Marian Grotto, Tomb of the Unborn Child, créche, and Stations of the Cross are available for vocal prayer.

Flash Photography
To preserve the peace and calm that the Portiuncula provides those who wish to pray without distraction, flash photography and video recording are not permitted. If you are required to record for news purposes, public relations, or class projects, the Office of Chapel Ministry must approve this in advance.

 

WIFI | Lost & Found

INTERNET – WiFi ACCESS

Access to the University’s wireless network, “BaronNet-Guest,” is available to all conference guests. If you experience any trouble, call Guest Services at 740-283-6801.

LOST AND FOUND

The Lost and Found is located at the J. C. Williams Center Information Desk throughout the scheduled conference. Items in Lost and Found must be claimed within two weeks of the close of the conference. After that time, the return of lost items is not guaranteed. If you realize after the conference that you have lost something, please call 740-283-3771.

 

Wristbands | Regulations

Participants must wear their wristbands at all times!

Participants must wear their wristbands at all times! No one will be admitted to the conference and sessions without BOTH wristbands.

Always wear your conference wristbands on your wrist. They are your access to general sessions, breakout sessions, and meals.

If you lose or break your wristband, please visit Guest Services on the upper level of the J.C. Williams Center with a chaperone to acquire another one.

Each participant must have two wristbands. Why are there two?

Colored Wristband: Allows entry to all sessions and meals; without it you will not be permitted entrance.

Silver: Adult Chaperone

Red/Yellow/Green/Blue: Youth

White Wristband: For emergency information. Write your name and allergies, as well as your Group Leader’s name and phone number on this wristband so that first-aid and conference staff will know who to call in case of an emergency.  This wristband will also indicate whether you have a food allergy, so that we can accommodate your dietary needs.