Questions and Answers?

WHERE WILL THE TRAINING BE HELD?  The training will be held at Winners' Camp on the island of Oahu.  (The city of Honolulu and Waikiki are also on this island).  You will fly into the airport at Honolulu International Airport (unless you live on Oahu).  The Winner's Camp is a spectacular mountain-top retreat situated high atop Oahu's Koolau range.  Direction to the Winners' Camp can be found here.

WHEN WILLTHE YOUTH LEADERSHIP FORUM BEGIN AND END? You should plan your trip so that you arrive by 1:00 PM on Friday, June 20.  You may depart no earlier then the morning of Thursday, June 27.

HOW DO WE REGISTER?  Complete the online Registration Form (adults and youth), then print out and complete a Medical Information Form, Code of Conduct Form and Media Release Form and return them to your Youth Director before the deadline.  Youth Directors should fax (DSN 315-438-8666, Comm 808-438-8666) or email scanned (to: registration@paroylf.org) medical and code of conduct forms to IMCOM Pacific CYS by the deadline.  Each attendee must submit the following forms:

YOUTH REGISTRATION:

•  REGISTRATION FORM:  Be sure to complete the entire youth online form.                      

•  MEDICAL INFORMATION FORM:  Printout a hard copy of this form.  It must be completely filled out.  There are two different forms:  One for military dependents and one for civilian dependents.   BE SURE ATTENDEES RECEIVE AND COMPLETE THE CORRECT FORM WITH THE REQUIRED INFORMATION.  Return the completed, signed hard copy form to your Youth Director by the deadline.                

•  CODE OF CONDUCT FORM:  Print out a hard copy of this form.  Be sure both signatures are on the form.  Return the completed hard copy form to your Youth Director by the deadline.

ADULT REGISTRATION:                      

• REGISTRATION FORM:  Be sure to complete the entire adult online form by the deadline.

• ADULT STAFF LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES FORM:  Print out and complete a hard copy of this form.  Submit the form via your chain of command by the deadline.

WHAT ARE OUR ACCOMMODATIONS? We will be housed at the Winner's Camp .  Accommodations are rustic for youth and staff.  Males and females will be housed separately in an open bay sleeping arrangement with bunk beds.  There is adequate space for storage of clothing and personal items.  Shower stalls with an enclosed dressing area are available in bathrooms adjacent to sleeping rooms.       

WHAT IS THE MISSION OF THE YOUTH LEADERSHIP FORUM?  The U.S. Army goal is to provide youth and their families predictable services.  As youth move from place to place around the globe, the Army would like them to have certain services they can count on wherever they are stationed. Youth participants and staff will review programs that impact predictable services, and come up with recommendations for Youth Services staff, the Installation Command, and the Army community.

WHAT ARE THE GOALS FOR THIS FORUM?
 

• Connect teens throughout the Pacific, foster the growth of the Pacific Teen Panel and address their teen issues/concerns at their installations.

• Provide leadership and collaborative partnership experiences and assist youth with the development of their personal skills.

• To begin to understand the Army Child and Youth Services system and to develop skills that will assist them in working with Youth Services staff and the U.S. Army Pacific Region on issues relative to Army youth.

WHAT ARE THE ATTENDEE'S RESPONSIBILITIES?

TEEN ATTENDEES RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Complete a series of assignments prior to arriving at YLF.

• Work with both adults and youth at their Garrison for at least a year after Youth Leadership Forum to brief their chain of command, implement action plans, train peers, mentor younger youth and further the leadership skills acquired at Youth Leadership Forum.

JUNIOR ADVISORS RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Participate in YLF pre-planning and training sessions and all activities during YLF

• Role model good character and behavior

• Facilitate activities for groups and peers

ADULT ADVISORS (CYS STAFF) RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Coordinate a meeting prior to YLF for teen attendees and their parents to explain the purpose, goals, and expectations of the teens both before, during and after YLF

• Your role during the YLF is first and foremost the safety and supervision of youth.   Spending 24 hours per day in a remote area with youth can be challenging. 

• You are expected to participate fully in events, and will be assigned additional duties during the week.  You will have little to no free time.

• Your primary supervisory responsibility will be for the youth attending from your installation.   You will be expected to ensure their cooperation and participation in all Forum activities.  However, you will also be required to supervise various youth at different times throughout the week.

• Night time point of contact

• Health issue monitor

• Assist YLF Teens and Junior Advisors in supporting their responsibilities

• You will be expected to share meals with the teens, interact, and assist with the set up and tear down of activities.

• You will be expected to present yourself as you would if you were at your installation.  You will be expected to dress modestly and professionally at all times including during hikes and during swimming activities. 

• No drugs or alcohol are allowed.  Cigarette smoking must be done out of the view of teens.  If cigarette breaks are taken, they must be done away from the sight of teens and those adults taking them must afford other adults the same time out courtesy.  (whether or not they are smoking)  There will be no more preference away from the group for smokers than for non-smokers.

• You will be expected to work with the youth prior to the event to help prepare presentations and committee assignments.  Upon completion of YLF, it is the adult's responsibility to ensure that youth attendees follow through on their commitments.  An accomplishment report will be submitted to IMCOM Pacific no later than October 1 2008.

• Serve Bob coffee every morning.

• Other duties as assigned

WHAT ARE THE OBJECTIVES FOR THE TEENS WHO ATTEND THE PACIFIC YOUTH LEADERSHIP FORUM?

• Provide leadership for the conference through various committees as well as teach some of the sessions during the forum.

• Acquire skills to cope with deployments.

• Participate in service-learning experience.

• Promote Characters Counts! And to learn to make healthy life choices and program choices that reflects the Army Core Values.

• Develop Youth Leadership and Teamwork Skills

• Learn about the Army Teen Chain of Communication and how youth issues are addressed by Army Senior Leadership.

• Explore technology.

• Learn about a program topic that they can teach at their installations.  This year's program will focus on SET, Science, Engineering and Technology.

• Workforce Preparation
• Team Building
• Teen Issue Identification
• Technology Integration
• Fun, Frivolities, Challenges, Beaches and Games!
• Take a leadership role in their Youth Center during the coming year

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO ATTEND? 

• Army Youth

  • Be a teen from Alaska, Hawaii, Kwajalein, Japan Army installations, including National Guard and Reserve.

  • Be Active participants in your garrison's Youth Program if available.

  • Be 13-18 years old in grades 8 --11

  • Demonstrate good character and behavior

  • Have not previously attended Youth Leadership Forum

• Junior Advisors

  • Be members of the Army Teen Panel or the Pacific Teen Panel in good standing

  • May have previously attended Youth Leadership Forum

   

• Adult Advisors

  • Be employees of Army Child & Youth Services or contract equivalent

  • Have a completed background check and not be required to be under LOSS

  • Be a member in good standing in the military or civilian community

   

• IMCOM Pacific selected Youth Technology Team members.

• Selected Hawaii 4-H youth

• Staff from IMCOM Pacific Region Child and Youth Services

WHAT IS THE SELECTION PROCESS

• Write a one page memorandum telling why you would like to be part of YLF.

• Give a 5-10 minute briefing to the 2006 YLF Selection Panel.  You will be notified in writing when your brief is scheduled. 

• Answer a standard set of questions.  Be prepared to talk about your goals.

• Selected youth will be contacted by their Youth Services Director.

WHAT IS MY ASSIGNMENT PREREQUISITE TO ATTENDING YLF?  Each attendee will be given a series of assignments to completed before arriving at YLF.

 WHO IS PAYING FOR THIS? The U.S. Army, IMCOM Pacific will provide funding for the Pacific Youth Leadership Forum.  Primary fees, accommodations, meals and travel will be paid in advance by contract.  Adult leaders will be contacted with more information.  Any meals or travel arrangements made outside of the conference schedule will not be covered by the region.  You will need to bring spending money for any incidentals, mementos, or gifts you would like to purchase. 

MEALS  Meals will be provided throughout the Forum.  Orders should indicate that government meals will be provided except during en route travel.   Any special meal accommodations must be noted.

WHAT IS PLANNED FOR THE WEEK?  We have a week of non-stop activities planned for participants.  We will spend time a classroom setting, working in large and small groups.  We will take hikes, play games, eat together and participate in recreational activities.

WHAT SHOULD I BRING?    

Participants should plan on bringing the following items:

• Identification Card or Passport for the Airport

• Tri Care Card/Private Medical Plan Information

• Flashlight  

• Towel   (2 lightweight towels - thick towels will not dry very easily at the site)

• Wash clothes

• Light Jacket/Sweatshirt

• Hat/Cap for the beach or outside for protection from the sun.  No caps do-rags, etc. will be permitted during the sessions.

• Prefer Tennis shoes or running shoes/closed shoes.  However sandals/open toe shoes are acceptable as long as your are prepared to change when there is an activity.  Flip Flops for the beach and dormitory only.

• Dark black slacks, pants, Capri or knee-length skirts for briefing the VIPS on Thursday preferred.  If not available, then Khaki slacks, pants, Capri or skirts are acceptable.  Try to coordinate with your team so you all look the same.  Shirts for this day will be given to you.

• Comfortable clothing.  Plan to bring clothing suited for a variety of weather conditions (shorts, pants, shirts, underclothing, modest bathing suit, etc.).  Bring clothing that can get dirty.

  • Swimsuits for showering and the beach.

  • Six pairs of long shorts or athletic shorts

  • Two or three shirts/tops.  No derogative sayings or commercial slogans, spaghetti straps, low cleavage, midriffs, halter or muscle shirts.  You will be receiving 3 or 4 shirts from installations to wear during certain days and will have a shirt for Thursday.

  • Two-three pairs of jeans.  No rips/tears or bagging please.

  • One or two pairs of sweat pant/jeans for exercise/climbing ropes course/hiking.

  • Socks and underwear for each day

  • Sleep clothing

• Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, deodorant, contact lens solution if needed, hand sanitizer, hair dryers, feminine products, etc.)

• Insect repellent

• Sunscreen/sunglasses 

• Rain Jacket / Umbrella

• Plastic bag for dirty laundry.

• Alarm clock.

• Reusable water bottle.

• Minimal money.  You will need money for meals/snacks on travel days, incidentals, and some money for souvenirs.  Note we have not designated any time for shopping in our schedule.

WHAT NOT TO BRING

• The user of personal electronic devices (PEDS) will not be allowed during YLF.  PEDS include phones, Ipods, MP3 players, CD players, game players, radios, tvs, etc.  Attendees may travel with these devices but their use will not be allowed during YLF with the exception that a designated time will be established for installation groups to use their personal phones to call home.  There are no public phones available at our site.

WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT THE WEATHER/CLIMATE CONDITIONS TO BE LIKE?  Participants should be prepared for varying weather conditions including cool breezy nights and warm sunny days.  Temperatures can vary from our mountain-top Winner's Camp to the warmer sea-level areas below.  Rain can occur anytime and anywhere but is more likely to occur at our mountain-top camp.  

WHERE SHOULD I CALL IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY?  Emergency contact information for contacting Youth and Staff at the forum will be posted at http://paroylf.org/Emergency.htm one week prior to the event..

IF I HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS, WHOM SHOULD I CONTACT?  If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Bob Greenberg (COMM 808-438-7563, DSN 315-438-7563, Mobile 808-341-2120) or Mark Ryales (COMM 808-438-0952, DSN 315-438-0952), email:  registration@paroylf.org or use this form: