So I am assuming that by making it this far that you are serious about being an adult sponsor and I want to say thanks again for considering this opportunity. Our group will have an incredible time, and I have never gone to one of these where I have not been changed as I serve the students of our district.   I want to take a moment to share my heart and philosophy when it comes to our adult team going to NYC 2026.

- It is not about us.  It will never be about us.   It is our opportunity to provide the best pathway for our students to experience NYC.  The example I like to use is a swimming pool.  NYC 2026 is a swimming pool.  We are going to make sure that our students have the best swimming experience that they can have.  We will stand outside the pool and encourage them and occasionally will experience some splash of the water, whether that be a great message from a speaker, or a band we hear play or seeing the change that the district students will be seeing in their lives, but our focus will be on them the entire week.  This is not to say that God will not change our lives at NYC, just that God will do that as we work with our students

-  This will be a select district team.  As the NYC Coordinator, I am responsible for shaping our adult team. I do not believe in having more adults than students help the experience.  Because of this I am going to try and maintain a 1:5 ration for adults to students. (NYC recommends at least 1:7)   What this means is that I will only be taking between 10-14 adults on this trip depending on the number of students attending.  I will be considering several factors when considering sponsors for our team.  The district has had a long-standing policy that we will consider youth pastors and NYI presidents first when selecting sponsors.  I will also be trying to get a wide variety of churches represented.  I believe this will benefit us as a team.   I also will be considering a balance in gender in the team as well.   At the end of all these factors will be fit.  My goal is to create the best team possible. 

So this means that not everyone who wants to be a sponsor will be a sponsor.   I understand that there will be some friction with this philosophy, but I wanted to be clear with what drives my thinking.

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Here is what NYC will not be for adult sponsors ( Hate to type it but want to be clear.)

-  It will not be a vacation. Student experience is our number one priority.  It will not be about what you want to do, want you want to eat, how much sleep you want, what sites you have to see or stores you want to shop at.    Our entire focus will be on student experience.

-  This is not about your youth group.  While you will bring a unique relationship to the students that you bring and will be able to share that with the group, any adult sponsor is a district sponsor, responsible for the entire team of students.  You will be asked to familiarize yourself with all of the students and might be required to be responsible for students who may or may not attend your youth group.

-  You are not the leader.  While I believe our adult group will be filled with people sharing creative ideas for this trip, I also believe it needs to be said up front that there can only be one final voice on this trip.  That will be mine, Chris Riggs.  As I typed that, it read harsh but I know we have had issues in the past and I want to be clear up front.  District leadership has appointed me to lead the NYC District team. 

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I believe it is important to clarify expectations up front.  That is why I am requiring a mandatory meeting for adult sponsors to discuss our expectations, both as adult sponsors and as the District NYC Coordinator.  The meetings will be less than an hour with plenty of time fro Q and A.  Times and dates are listed below.  Hope to see you at one of the meetings!

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