The Kids Track and Teen Track registration are scheduled to open at 12pm on June 1st. We are delaying because we need to confirm several additional volunteer leaders so that we can assess the maximum number of participants we can allow. Once a final decision is made on that, we will open up registration ASAP. If you would like to be notified as soon as registration opens, you may enter your email address at the bottom of this web page.

The regular conference is suitable for all persons age 18 or older. Although not a hard and fast requirement, we highly recommend that all children present who are ages 6-12 attend the Encounter Kids Track, and ages 13-18 (still in high school) attend the Encounter Teen Track. That way, both adults and children/teens receive content customized for them. Note: If children ages 6-18 do attend the regular conference with you, they must be registered with the appropriate Youth Track ticket and simply choose from the drop-down list under the ticket types that they will not need to be assigned to a small group.

The Encounter Kids Track sessions occur during the morning and evening adult General Sessions, and will be located in Ballroom C – just around the corner across from the main conference hall (see our main conference page FAQ’s for a map of DeVos Place).

The Kids Track is designed for children ages 6-12. Because the evening sessions will end at 10pm, please thoughtfully consider whether your younger children will have the stamina and focus to attend these sessions and also will not be too exhausted to attend morning sessions the following day.

All volunteers have been through the VIRTUS safe environment training and have received a backround check. For more information visit the VIRTUS website here: What is VIRTUS?

In the event that a child becomes distressed and inconsolable during a Kids Session, a staff member will attempt to call the cell phone number provided for the primary parent/guardian and parents should keep their phone on vibrate during the general session.  If the staff cannot contact the parent, they will escort them to the general session and locate the parent.

During the afternoon breakout sessions, your child(ren) will be under your supervision and can attend normal conference breakouts with you. If you prefer, one parent could also take them to local attractions such as four local museums all within walking distance, including the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum.

Although no childcare services will be provided, parents are free to bring their small children under age 6 into the main sessions if they are able to quietly color or entertain themselves in their seats. The facility is very large and parents are free to use the back of the Main Hall, the lobby area, or the dedicated room we have reserved for parents with small children immediately across from the Main Hall. We will be livestreaming the Main Stage conference sessions into that room so you won’t have to miss a thing!

Also, two dedicated nursing mother rooms are available in DeVos Place Convention Center located on the Street Level and Overlook Level on the west side of the facility, just a short walk from the Main Hall.

Yes, two dedicated nursing mother rooms are available in DeVos Place Convention Center located on the Street Level and Overlook Level on the west side of the facility, just a short walk from the Main Hall.