The National Catholic Youth Conference is an exciting, biennial three-day experience of prayer, community, and empowerment for Catholic teenagers and their adult chaperones. The schedule includes keynote addresses, concurrent and workshop sessions addressing a wide variety of topics. There are also opportunities for liturgy, reconciliation, prayer and worship, recreation and special activities such as concerts, exhibits, and the interactive thematic park.
NCYC is open to high school age young people and their chaperones. Most participants are Catholic. Many youth participants are leaders in their local parishes, schools and/or diocese, though many are just beginning to connect to their faith. Some attendees may have participated in previous national or international events such as the World Youth Day. Many are experiencing this type of gathering for the first time.
NFCYM requires that chaperones be 21 years or older. The diocesan group must have at least two chaperones for first one to ten youth and one additional adult for each additional one to six youth.
The National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM) sponsors NCYC.
Located in Washington, D.C., and led by an energetic and creative national staff, the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry is a membership organization working on behalf of youth and diocesan youth ministry leadership across the country and on U.S. military bases in Europe. Members include ninety-four percent of all Catholic dioceses, the National Catholic Committee on Girl Scouts and Camp Fire, and fifty youth-serving organizations.