Important Forms and Documents

ACCYM 2023-2024 Executive Committee

CHAIR: Meredith Pearson, Conway FUMC – Central: pearsonameredith@gmail.com
VICE-CHAIR: Meredith Grafton,  West Memphis FUMC – SouthEast: graftonmeredith@gmail.com
SECRETARY: Emma Gayle Allison, West Memphis – SouthEast:  allison.emmagayle@gmail.com
CHAPLAIN: Walker Lampley, PHUMC – Central: walker.lampley@gmail.com
AT-LARGE EXECUTIVE – Quin Clark, PHUMC – Central:  quinclark06@gmail.com
YSF CHAIR: Lane Stout, Highland Valley UMC – Central: lanestout4321@gmail.com
MEDIA CHAIR: Emily Claire Harrison, St. James UMC – Central: emily.harrison359@icloud.com

Refuge 2023 Registration is open
November 10-12 at Shepherd of the Ozarks in Harriet, AR.

What Is Refuge?

Refuge is an opportunity for Jr. High/Middle School youth to be introduced to the connectional events of the Arkansas Conference Council on Youth Ministries of the United Methodist Church. They enjoy a weekend in the beautiful outdoors, focusing on Christ, developing friendships, and having fun while getting away from the busyness of life. This event will be held at Shepherd of the Ozarks, a great setting filled with large, comfortable log cabins surrounded by bluffs and a creek.

When & Where is Refuge?

There is only ONE weekend offered this year. Join us November 10-12 at Shepherd of the Ozarks in Harriet, AR.

Who can attend Refuge?

Refuge is for youth currently in grades 6-9.

What Does It Cost To Attend?

$165 from September 3 until Oct. 3 (includes t-shirt)

$185 from October 4 until October 20 (no t-shirt)

Registration closes October 20 or earlier if we reach capacity.

What do I need to know about attending Refuge?

  • One adult should register your entire group (including adult chaperones) for Refuge.  Please DO NOT allow youth to register individually.
  • All attendees must complete an ACCYM Medical Consent and Liability Release form and upload completed forms using the link below.

  • All attendees must also complete a SOTO Release form. Use this link.

All youth AND adults attending Refuge must turn in forms. Forms can be printed from the link below and once you have all of your groups forms together you can upload the group forms together through the link below.

Do not mail any forms to the conference office.

No substitutions or registrations will be accepted after October 20.

All money and forms for all those registered must be turned in no later than October 31st. If you do not have money and/or forms in by this date, you will not be considered registered for the event and therefore forfeit your spot and any money paid.

*Adults, because you will be present, we will be contacting some of you about serving as a small group leader.

A detailed event schedule will be posted very soon and emailed to registered participants the week before the event begins.

There are no refunds if the event is canceled or the schedule must be altered in any way due to inclement weather or pandemic.

ALL ADULTS ATTENDING REFUGE MUST BE SAFE GATHERINGS CERTIFIED

As of June 2022, the Arkansas Annual Conference passed the ARUMC Safe Gatherings Policy that strives to create a protective environment in our churches for children, youth, and vulnerable adults (defined as protected persons) and the volunteers who work with them. With this adoption of this new policy, replacing the current ARUMC Safe Sanctuary Policy, comes the opportunity to use the Safe Gatherings online training and background checks system for all churches within the ARUMC Conference.

One of the provisions of this new policy is that all adults attending district or conference events intended for children or youth MUST be Safe Gatherings Certified.

This certification includes filling out a few forms and questionnaires online (takes approximately 30-45 minutes), completing a child maltreatment check which must be notarized and uploaded to your Safe Gatherings profile and completing online training and quiz (approximately 2 hours.)

NOTE: While everything can be completed in a day or two, it’s important to note that once you complete all the necessary components it will take anywhere from 3 to 14 days to receive an email stating that you are Safe Gatherings certified.

If you have technical support questions about your Safe Gatherings account or certification process contact Safe Gatherings directly at contact@safegatherings.com or 888-241-8258.

If you have questions about the ARUMC Safe Gatherings Policy please contact Michelle Moore at michelle.moore@arumc.org or 501-324-8048.

To get started, click on the button below that best describes you:

VERITAS 2024

More information available soon.