Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Youth Conference?
It’s a multi-day gathering of young people, With the intention of creating a better world through our actions and our relationships. We’ll spend the days listening to speakers and moving between workshops oriented around philosophical, artistic and practical themes.
Where is this conference (and why is it there?)
We are privileged to have access to the beautiful Hawthorne Valley farm and School this year, a 900 acre biodynamic farm, k-12 Waldorf school, farm store, bakery and dairy!! The annual gathering of the NA Youth Section moves around every year, this year we chose the Hudson Valley because of the local Youth Section activity in that area, with many initiatives and programs both run by and intended for young people.
What happens at a Conference like this?
There’ll be speakers that are relevant to the challenges and questions of today's youth, as well as independent workshops and workshops to integrate the material from our speakers. There’ll be singing and movement, building of practical skills like carpentry and farming. This conference has great emphasis placed on engaging dialogues and hands-on activities so get ready to show off your skills, or learn some new ones!
What’s the vibe?
Music! Powerful Discussions! Traditional Craft! Stories! And anything else we can fit! It will be a packed few days, surrounded by great people. Though there will be a schedule full of engaging and thought provoking material, we’ve also made sure to build in plenty of processing time and free time for your own self directed interests…or a nap! Both are important! Also important, we choose to hold an alcohol- and drug-free environment to foster the joy of conscious, meaningful, authentic human connection. Come with an open mind, an open heart, and a willingness to connect, and you’ll be met with the same!
Who is hosting this gathering?
The North American Youth Section! Essentially, a group of spiritually striving, engaged and enthusiastic people. Many, though not all people in the Youth Section have taken an interest in Anthroposophy at some point in their life. The Youth Section is full of willful individuals, people intent on seeing change in the world, and driven to do their part to make that ideal possible. You can read more about the people on the organizing team here.
What is Anthroposophy?
Anthroposophy is a philosophy created by Rudolf Steiner, a German Polymath who worked in the early 20th century mostly in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. If you’re familiar with Waldorf Schools, Biodynamic Agriculture, or Camphill Communities, this is the philosophy they’re derived out of. The word itself means Anthro- Human, Sophia -Wisdom. It is in its essence a deep dive into the human being, and the wisdom that has risen out of human cultures all over the world, touching on all areas of our lives, from the practical everyday, to farming, the arts, and medicine. While the Youth Section is brought out of this impulse, it is by no means necessary to understand or even be interested in Anthroposophy to participate in the conference.
What does it mean to be part of the Youth Section?
To be a part of the Youth Section means to ask yourself this very question every week at our Wednesday night meeting, and ultimately decide to put a pause on defining it until next week, as we have all been doing since we began :)
The Youth Section is ever-evolving, but the key is that the people showing up want to be in community, conversation, and action with one another. And the people showing up are living with questions! Questions about spiritual striving, about the circumstances of the world, about how to bring meaning into their lives and others. You can also read more about this here.
How do I know if this conference is right for me?
This conference is for people seeking meaningful engagement with the world and their peers. For people who need direction, or those who need somewhere to channel the passions they’ve already found. This conference is large enough, and the organizers are diverse enough, that they’ll be something interesting and important for whoever finds their way here!
Why is this conference happening?
Because we as organizers have found a need for this type of environment in today’s society, and we ourselves have felt the value of coming together in this context. This conference, and the ones before it, create a space where people can feel seen, heard, and lifted up by their community. There are opportunities to make connections with people you might not otherwise encounter, or find projects you didn’t know you would be so passionate about! Many of us have found the next phases of our lives through these conferences, be it education, trade, a new geographic orientation or something else!
