"I wanted to thank you for all your efforts this last weekend. My son really seemed to prosper from the time with you and the "guys". He was quite engaged and chatty on the ride home about his experience and very open in communicating with the family. Mostly what I sensed was a lightness of heart as though a weight had been lifted from him. I would equate that to some growth in self confidence.

I worry about my son's lack of role models. I feel this weekend gave him a new range of men he could use as models. Keep up the good work. There is a great need for your work and effort."

~ S.P. single mother of YMUW graduate

"At my Weekend not only was I informed on the manners in which men should act and their responsibilities in society, but there were constant demonstrations and reinforcements by the members of the YMUW staff. The fact that these men held this in their highest regard was apparent in their every action. Not a day goes by when I don't use what I have learned and gained from that Weekend to try and make the best of life."

~ J. A. YMUW graduate

REGISTRATION

Young men are welcome to register any time before the weekend or on the Friday that the weekend begins. Whether registered before the weekend or at the weekend, all young men must arrive between 5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m. on the Friday their weekend begins.

Special arrangements for late arrivals will be considered on a case-by-case basis with the parent or guardian before the weekend.

To ensure your young man's spot in the weekend, please fill out both the Registration Form and the Medical Form completely. Send it to the South Bay or North Bay office, depending on which weekend your son is attending (directions can be found on the form). A parent, sponsor or guardian must have their signature on both forms.

Note: All form downloads are in PDF format. These require that Adobe's Free "Acrobat Reader" be installed on your computer. A free copy is available at www.adobe.com

A completed Registration Packet includes the following three items:

1. Completed Registration Form
2. Completed Medical Form
3. Payment of $250.00

View or print the Participant Registration Forms Packet.

Confirmation Letters

This letter contains the details you and your son will need to know about the weekend. It will provide directions to the weekend site as well as a list of supplies your young man will need.

View the Confirmation Letter for the upcoming South Bay Young Men's Ultimate Weekend

Emergencies

During the course of the weekend, if there is a family emergency you can call us at the weekend site. This number is listed on the Weekend Flyer. If we are unable to receive your call, leave a message at the appropriate regional office.

How To Speak To Your Son About The Weekend

We often hear parents tell us that they want their sons to attend the Weekend but when they ask their sons if they want to go, the answer is almost always a resounding, “no!” Even when the parents know that our program is going to be deeply beneficial for their sons, they often tell us that they cannot get their sons to enroll. Here is what we found works best:

When you tell a young man about the Weekend, you do not want to have any fear about his probable negative response. Most importantly, you do not want to present the Weekend as a question, implying that he has a choice as to whether or not he goes. It is very rare for a young man to be asked if he wants to go to his initiation and he jumps up from his computer, iPod, cell phone or TV shouting, “Thank you; I thought you’d never ask – yes, I can’t wait to go!”.

The dialogue from the adult should go something like this, “I want you to know about an event that is happening in October. It’s called the Young Men's Ultimate Weekend and if I attended an event like this when I was your age, I would’ve been happier and healthier much earlier on in my life. Please block out October 19-21. I know you'll have a great time”. That's it.

If you end this kind of dialogue with the question that sounds something like this, “is that okay?”” or, “do you want to go?”, the young man will interpret your question as an insecurity, communicating to him that you are not sold on the event. Simply state what you have to say and if the young man has questions, have him call or e-mail YMUW and we will put him in contact with other young men who can speak their language and tell him why he should do it.

We know this is not easy for parents to do, especially if your son gets angry about this. Do not engage in an argument, simply re-state what you said and walk away, without any negative attitude. As the days go by your son will get that you are serious and eventually will accept your resolve. We encourage you to communicate with us if you need any support.

 

Honor what is R.I.G.H.T.  Respect, Intelligence, Gallantry, Humor, True
Copyright © 2007, Young Men's Ultimate Weekend. All rights reserved.