The venue for the 2020 Episcopal Youth Event (EYE20) has been changed to the University of Maryland, College Park (UMD). The location remains within the Diocese of Washington and the dates, July 7-11, 2020, are unchanged.

“I couldn’t be more thrilled with the potential to grow the Episcopal Youth Event in size and reach on the UMD campus,” said Bronwyn Clark Skov, director of Faith Formation, Youth and Young Adult Ministries. “Campus staff have been gracious and the EYE planning team is eager to live into the space creatively and faithfully.”

EYE20 Theme

The theme for EYE20 is “Unite! ¡Unámonos!” The Planning Team chose this theme at their October meeting after considerable time in discussion, reflection, and prayer.

“It was a blessing to sit with this team of young people as they engaged and contextualized the guiding Scripture for EYE20, Matthew 11:29,” said the Rev. Abi Moon, EYE20 Team Chaplain. “Recognizing that we are ‘yoked together’ as a community through God’s mercy and grace, the Planning Team discerned a call to action for all EYE20 participants and those who will journey alongside them, to Unite! ¡Unámonos!. Unite as people of the Jesus Movement. Unite as a people following the Way of Love.”

The event speakers and preachers, workshops, and logo will continue to be developed based on this theme.

Youth Participants
Youth participants in EYE20 must be enrolled in 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th grade during this school year and must have turned 15 or no older than 19 by the event start. Current freshman who are 14 will have an opportunity to attend EYE2023 as the Episcopal Youth Event is on a three-year cycle. No other youth will be permitted to attend EYE20.

Adult Chaperones
Delegations must send a minimum of two chaperones; one must be 25 years old or older. All other chaperones must be at least 21 years old at the time of the event, one adult for every six youths. Chaperone teams must include genders represented among the youth. That means if you have both male and female youth participating, you need to have both male and female chaperones. All adults must have completed Safeguarding Training and must have a current (within 3 years) Criminal Sexual Background check on file to be in compliance with current Model Policies for the Protection of Children and Prevention of Sexual Misconduct.

Registering for EYE20

There are several important new features of the registration process for EYE20 to support the growth of the event. These include:

• Fees for EYE20: Separate fees for registration and housing allow for delegations to arrange off-campus housing, if desired. Cost per person for event registration, which includes event activities as well as lunch and dinner on July 8, 9 and 10, is $200. This cost applies to all participants, including youth, chaperones, bishops, guests, and staff. The per-person cost for on-campus housing and breakfast package is $200. Event rates are being negotiated with several local hotels and will be listed on the EYE20 website. A 10% deposit will be collected at the time of registration. The remainder will be due by June 5, 2020.
• The University of Maryland is not available for housing before or after the event. The Department of Faith Formation will post a list of other local possibilities, including nearby hotels with negotiated event rates, on the event website.
• No on-campus activities or meals are offered Tuesday, July 7 (arrival day). Instead, delegations are invited to register, drop off their luggage, and enjoy the local sites, including a visit to the Washington National Cathedral. A site and restaurant guide will be posted as the event nears. Similarly, there will be no breakfast provided on Saturday, July 11.
• EYE20 will take place on campus each day. No local pilgrimages are being planned during the course of the event.
• Registration for EYE20 is offered to provincial, diocesan, congregational, and other Episcopal organizational delegations as long as all EYE20 participation and chaperone criteria are met. However, in keeping with the spirit of General Convention Resolution 1982-D079, which encourages dioceses to support and participate in EYE, registration preference is given to diocesan delegations. As such, registration will open for diocesan delegations on Monday, January 6 at 9 am Eastern. Registration for other delegations will open on Monday, January 27 at 9 am Eastern.
• There is no cap on the number of youth a delegation may bring to EYE20. However, all chaperone criteria (listed on the website) must be met. No delegations will be permitted to attend EYE20 without meeting these criteria.
• Each delegation must have a designated registrar. The registrar is an authorized representative from an Episcopal institution whose role is to process delegation payments and evidence of Safeguarding Training and Criminal Sexual Background checks within the past 3 years. Examples are a diocesan registrar, diocesan youth minister, rector, vicar, or senior warden. The registrar does not have to travel as a chaperone but at least one adult chaperone over the age of 25 must travel with the group and serve as the primary contact for the delegation.

Please note: EYE20 will fill up quickly. Registration is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Delegations should be prepared to register as soon as possible after the assigned date.

“We have been focusing on invitation and inclusion to bring the greatest possible diversity to EYE leadership and participation,” Skov explains, “By giving priority to diocesan delegations for registration we affirm the value of doing things together as a diocese. And by opening up beyond diocesan delegations we make it possible for youth in places lacking diocesan infrastructure, organization, or access to still participate in this international youth event offered by their church.”

More: https://events.episcopalchurch.org/eye/

Questions? Contact Bronwyn Skov, eye@episcopalchurch.org.