Heroic Youth 2024 Event FAQs
Q: What is the plan for this year?
A: This year will be as exciting as we can possibly make it! We have learned a great deal about how to build an event with both Virtual and Physical events throughout the past few years. We are planning a normal Hero Quest and Summit year, with some of the great parts we've discovered.
For Youth Leaders the simulation/story-line will go throughout the summer! Youth will be sorted into groups (Houses). Each House will be led by a Master Knight and Princess (experienced youth leaders), as well as adult mentors who will support them and guide them throughout their experience. Youth will learn about our theme, Resilience, in a very fun way.
We plan to have our Summit event for 8-12 year-olds, as well as our normal Hero Quest event. We will also have Training events for Youth Leaders, Adult Volunteers, and Villains throughout the summer to prepare for both of these events. (See our Events page for training dates.)
Q: What exactly is Summit and Hero Quest?
A: Hero Quest is a one-day leadership simulation day camp for Youth 12-18 years old. Summit is a two-day simulation day camp for 8-12 year-olds led by the Hero Quest Youth Leaders. (See our Summit and Hero Quest pages to learn more.)
Q: When and where is Hero Quest and Summit 2024?
A: Hero Quest is Thursday, Aug 22, 2024
Summit is Friday and Saturday, Aug 23-24, 2024
American Fork Amphitheater, 851 East 700 North, American Fork, UT 84003
Q: What is the cost for Hero Quest participants and how do they register?
A: Registration for Youth Leaders will open the week following the Kickoff event (Feb. 3rd) and close when spots fill up. Youth Leader registration is $132 with an additional $35 fee due later if given the role of Princess, Master Knight, or Royal House due to those roles receiving extra training and mentoring. You must have a 1-2 page paper on your thoughts on this year's theme (in pdf format please) and a head-shot of yourself to register (png or jpg, 10MB max).
We have sold out of Youth Leader spots every year for the last 4 years, so register early! Registration opens early on February 7th for Youth Leaders from last year who completed the EWJ challenge. Open Youth Leader registration begins on Friday, February 9th. Watch your email for details. Registration does not mean acceptance to the program. You must be willing to commit to the 5 Commitments. We want you all in the program, but we want you to get out of it what it is designed to provide, not just a fun weekend at the end.
If registration is closed, don’t despair! We will have a waitlist in case spots open up. If spots do open up, we'll only contact those on the waitlist. If the waitlist is closed, youth who wish to participate in this year’s events can still do so by playing the role of villains in our final battle. Being a villain is a fulfilling and engaging way to participate! See our Join the Final Battle page to register to be a villain. Contact us to get on our email list to hear when Youth Leader registration opens next year after the Kickoff!
Q: What is the cost for Summit participants and how do they register?
A: Summit registration opens May 1st and closes when spots are filled or June 15th, whichever comes first. Summit registration is $109. If registration has closed, please contact us to get on our email list to hear when registration opens next year!
Q: What will the registration fee be used for?
A: Heroic Youth is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. All income received goes directly to the Heroic Youth programs. Specifically, we use these funds for administrative purposes (websites, equipment, storage, insurance) and paying for materials that go directly to the youth. Heroic Youth is a 100% volunteer organization so you can trust that your registration fees are going directly to benefit you and the other participants. The registration fee will be used to cover operational expenses and materials provided to the youth and attendees for the program experience (T-shirts, trading cards, simulation artifacts, mail costs, Everyday Warrior Journey materials, and awards). It also covers foam weapons and equipment/facilities costs for the final event at the American Fork Amphitheater, as well as any costs needed for the awards ceremony that ends the years events.
Q: Does a child need to be a member of one of the Heroic Youth Clubs to participate in Summit?
A: No! Any 8-12 year-old child can participate in Summit. For more information about our Clubs, visit https://clubs.heroicyouth.org.
Q: Is it true there is only one General Training for youth leaders and volunteers instead of two?
A: Yes. See the Event Calendar.
YOUTH LEADER SPECIFIC FAQs
Q: What is the Heroic Youth age policy for participating as a Youth Leader?
A: Youth can apply for and be assigned to Youth Leadership positions so long as they are a minimum of 12 years old and a maximum of 18 years old on Jan 1st of the current year. Youth that turn 12 after January 1st of the current year may participate as a Summit Attendee (8-12 years old) and apply as a Youth Leader the following year.
Q: What will interviews be like?
A: Interviews will be in person at different locations this year. Youth will be asked about leadership experience (any kind), the yearly theme, commitment to doing the Everyday Warrior Journey, commitment to attending trainings and events, and willingness to follow the 5 Commitments. Youth are required to bring a parent to their interview. Registration and going to an interview will not guarantee acceptance into the program. You must be willing to commit to the 5 Commitments. We want you all in the program, but we want you to get out of it what it is designed to provide, not just a fun weekend at the end. See the Event Calendar for dates and location areas.
Q: Will we still have all of the same youth leader positions?
A: You can expect that the same youth leadership structure we have used in the past will be present this year. There may be necessary adjustments based on the number of youth registering, but all the basic positions will still be represented. (For more information for Youth Leaders, see our Hero Quest page and Youth Leader Roles page.)
Q: What day will Youth Leader assignments be made?
A: Youth can expect to receive their assignments on April 12th.
Q: Will the Youth Leaders participate in Everyday Warrior Journey?
A: Yes! Youth leaders will be committed to participate in the Everyday Warrior Journey (EWJ), a personal mastery program where focus is brought to the little daily things that make us Heroic. Tools and resources will be provided at the beginning and along the way. Parents and families are highly encouraged to participate with their youth.
Q: Will there still be House gatherings?
A: Yes, there are three official house meetings during the summer that will be decided by the leadership of each Noble House. The dates, locations, and times of these meetings will be decided after role assignments are accepted. Each youth will be placed in a House with a Master Knight or Princess at the lead, with many other supporting Youth Leader roles. It is expected that the Master Knights and Princesses over each House will lead their House using a number of tools. House meetings will be scheduled as a way for the House to coordinate their efforts, share their successes, and encourage each other throughout the summer.
Q: Are there any specific technical requirements to participate as a Youth Leader?
A: Yes. We utilize a number of tools to help with the program over the year. Youth Leaders will need to be able to get online to fill out their EWJ reports on a weekly basis. They will also receive communications from their House via text message and through Google Chat. Access to a Google Account is required to be able to use Google Chat, and they will engage with their house a lot using this method. And lastly, they will receive email communications about EWJ, upcoming trainings, and other pertinent information, so they should be able to check their email multiple times per week.
Q: Who receives trading cards?
A: We will provide Trading cards to the Youth Leaders and Summit Attendees (young knights and handmaidens).
Q: Where can I find information on what to wear to Hero Quest and Summit?
A: You can find it on the Youth Leader Roles page.
Q: Where can I find The 5 Commitments and Code of Conduct?
A: You can find it on The 5 Commitments page.
VOLUNTEER FAQs
Q: What options are available for Adult Volunteers (non-villains)?
A: We love our volunteers! Find out more about volunteering on our Adult Volunteers page and sign up as soon as possible!
Q: How do I sign up to be a Villain?
A: We need Adult and Youth Villains every year! Find out more on our Join the Final Battle page.