All Youth Gathering
The NE MN Synod All Youth Gathering
November 17-18 OR 18-19, 2023
Grades 6-12
Cragun’s Resort, Brainerd
All youth in grades 6-12 and their adult leaders are invited for a weekend retreat to grow in faith, build relationships, laugh and play, and worship with hundreds of youth from across the synod! We plan to gather once again at Cragun’s Resort near Brainerd, holding two events on the same weekend – Friday night through Saturday noon OR Saturday night through Sunday noon. The All Youth Gathering will include large group sessions for the entire group, learning opportunities by age group, hotel life, games, worship, and more! This event is planned and led by the LYO Leadership Team.
This year we will focus on the Ten Commandments.
Event information and registration forms will be posted August 2023.

- Event Details
- Housing Guidelines
- How to Register
- Tips for Adult Leaders and Job Description
- Color Logo
- B/W Logo
FOR ADULT LEADERS
Please share the resources below with all Adult Leaders to prepare for the All Youth Gathering:

REGISTRATION
Registration is a two-step process! You will register your GROUP through the NE MN Synod, and your HOUSING through Cragun’s. Both will be submitted online. Registration worksheets to help you collect needed information will be posted by September 1, 2022.
HOUSING
In recent years, congregations have had an increasing number of special housing requests to accommodate a variety of special needs. We expect that to be even more true this year with COVID-19 concerns.
Congregations will now make their housing arrangements directly with Cragun’s through a special form just for our group. Payment for housing will also be with Cragun’s and must be made by credit card.
More Housing Updates:
- Participants are required to stay at Cragun’s to participate in the All Youth Gathering. Why? Programming does not end until midnight and begins by 8:30am the next morning. Part of the experience is being together so we can be connected and build relationships.
- Book your rooms early! Rooms will be held until October 17, 2022. After this date, rates are guaranteed but room availability is not.
- Cancellations: Cragun’s is very generous with our group, and will work with congregations as much as possible when there are last minute cancellations to adjust room assignments to maximize occupancy rates. Cancellations will be allowed without penalty, but please note that you will be charged based on the final actual occupancy of your room (1 person will be charged single occupancy rate, 2 people will be charged double occupancy rate, etc.).
- You are welcome to house participants from different congregations together! You are responsible for making those arrangements. To help congregations connect, we have set up an All Youth Gathering event in the Northeastern Minnesota Synod Facebook Group to help congregations find roommates for youth in order to get a lower rate.
- You are allowed to put 5 participants in one room! If you do, you are responsible for bringing your own mattress and bedding.
- Cabins are available! First come, first served. Cabins have 1-7 bedrooms and require walking outside the main event building.
- You are expected to follow our NE MN Synod Housing policy in making housing assignments.
- Substitutions and cancellations must be done in writing by contacting Lorie at [email protected].


GROUP REGISTRATION
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- Submit online with the synod.
- Early Registration: $30 per person (Postmarked on or before Oct. 17)
- Standard Registration: $40 per person (Postmarked on or after Oct. 18)
- Deposit: Full payment due at registration, non-refundable.
- Registration includes t-shirt and all program activities.
- Submit online with the synod.
Registration Opens: October 1, 2022
Last Day to Register: November 7, 2022
or when event fills, whichever occurs first.
HOUSING AND BREAKFAST
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- Submit online directly with Cragun’s.
- Quad Occupancy (4 per room): $56.64 per person
- Triple Occupancy (3 per room): $67.28 per person
- Double Occupancy (2 per room): $88.58 per person
- Single Occupancy (1 per room): $152.47 per person
- Fifth person in the same room is $25.00 (Participant is responsible to bring own mattress and bedding.)
Housing Cancellation Policy: Cragun’s is very generous with our group, and will work with congregations as much as possible when there are last minute cancellations to adjust room assignments to maximize occupancy rates. Cancellations will be allowed without penalty, but please note that you will be charged based on the final actual occupancy of your room (1 person will be charged single occupancy rate, 2 people will be charged double occupancy rate, etc.).
PIZZA
Large pepperoni, sausage and cheese pizzas from Little Caesar’s are available for purchase for $7 each. All pizzas must be pre-ordered with your Group Registration and are non-refundable. Last day to add to your pizza order is November 7. Additional orders will not be available when you arrive at Cragun’s. Pizzas can be picked up during Hotel Life, late evening on Night One. This is NOT supper, so plan a stop for supper on your way to Cragun’s!

Read “How to Register” and use the Group Registration and Housing Worksheets to prepare for registration.
Step Two: Group Registration
Use the “Group Registration” button below to submit your Group Registration.
- Registration opens October 1.
Registration closes November 7, or when event fills, whichever comes first.
Step Three: Housing Reservations
Click the “Housing Reservation” button below to make and pay for your housing reservations directly with Cragun’s. Housing preferences are assigned first come, first served. Book your rooms early! Rooms will be held until October 17, 2022. After this date, rates are guaranteed but room availability is not.
Don’t forget to also update your Housing Reservations when you make registration changes: additions, substitutions or cancellations! Email Lorie at [email protected] to make housing changes. You are responsible for any costs incurred for not notifying Cragun’s of registration changes.
Step Four: Collect Forms
There are two forms needed to participate in the All Youth Gathering:
1. Health and Release Form: Due November 11
All Health and Release Forms must be submitted online at www.nemnsynod.org/AYGRelease. Parents will need the email address for their Primary Leader, and a copy will automatically be emailed to Primary Leaders once forms are submitted. Be sure participants have the correct email address!
2. Participant Expectations and Covenant
- Due November 11 or bring with you to Cragun’s.
- Be sure to discuss the Covenant with your group before signing.
- Click here to download the Participant Expectations and Covenant.
Click on the “Changes to your Group Registration” button below if you would like to make an addition, substitution, cancellation or order additional pizzas.
Step Six: Download Confirmation Packet
The Confirmation Packet and other helpful information will be available to download November 1. Read through this material carefully and share with your Adult Leaders and parents.

(Final Protocols: Updated 11/2/22)
Below are protocols we have in place for the safety and wellbeing of our large and diverse group. Our goal is to manage risk, not eliminate it. If you’ve spent time near Lake Superior, you know to bring many layers of clothing and adjust your layers depending on which way the wind is blowing. In much the same way, we will adjust protocols based on current infection, hospitalization, and positivity rates so we can best care for ourselves, each other, and our wider community.
COVID-19 Protocols:
- All participants are required to provide proof of a negative at-home rapid test to their Primary Leader prior to departure on their assigned event start date, November 18 or 19. We know a negative rapid test does not guarantee participants are not infectious during the event, but gives an added assurance of protection for all participants and affords the best chance to allow us to not require facemasks.
- We highly encourage all participants to be fully vaccinated, but this is not a requirement.
- Facemasks are NOT required unless:
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- You have been exposed to someone who tested positive within 10 days of arrival, OR
- You tested positive 5-10 days ago and have not had 2 negative tests taken 48 hours apart.
- A high quality N95, KN95 or KF94 mask is required in these circumstances. KN95 masks are available if participants do not have one.
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Participants are always welcome to wear a facemask for their own comfort and protection or for the protection of those they live with. We will fully support participants who choose to wear a facemask.
- Current CDC Guidance will be followed for those who have been exposed or test positive for COVID-19. As of November 1, 2022, that guidance includes:
- If you have tested positive within five days of arrival, you must stay home.
You may attend IF it has been more than 5 days since your positive test and all of the following are true: - You are fever free,
- Your symptoms are improving,
- You test negative.
- You must still wear a mask through day 10 UNLESS you have tested negative twice, 48 hours apart.
- If you have been exposed to someone who tested positive within 10 days of arrival you must wear a facemask.
- If you have tested positive within five days of arrival, you must stay home.
- Regardless if an illness is COVID-19 or not, please stay home if you are sick!! Pay attention to new symptoms such as fever or chills, cough, difficulty breathing, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congested or runny nose, fatigue, muscle/body aches, headache, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. We don’t want to spread ANY illness across the synod!
Unfortunately, we are not able to refund payments from cancellations due to COVID-19 protocols or other reasons. Last minute substitutions ARE accepted.