FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. SHOULD I REGISTER AS A VOLUNTEER OR A PARTICIPANT? WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?
If you live in the Greater Toronto Area are between 16 and 30 years old you should definitely register as a participant as this weekend is being organized specifically for you. You may also sign up as a volunteer and help out with preparations leading up to Mladifest but at the weekend itself you will be a participant. If you are younger than 16 or older than 30 you should sign up as a volunteer so you can help out with preparations as well as helping during the weekend itself. This is a great way for you to be involved and take part in the weekend if you are outside the participant age range. The difference is while as a participant you are taking part in the activities, as a volunteer you are the one running the activities or helping out logistically. If this was an amusement park you would need to be tall enough to go on the rides but if you’re too short you still get to be there and be the ride operator which is also fun.
PS. If you live outside the Greater Toronto Area you can sign up as a volunteer if you are over 30 years old and accompanying a group of participants.
2. WILL THERE BE A DANCE AT MLADIFES?
Well, yes and no. There won't be a dance in the sense that you may be used to at other Croatian festivals and gatherings. But there will surely be a lot of fun and fellowship and opportunities for dancing. The Saturday evening festivities will consist of a variety show with musical guests and surprise entertainers, topped off with fireworks and a bonfire.
PS. There was plenty of dancing and socializing at the inaugural “Mladifest 2013”
3. CAN MY FRIEND COME WHO IS NOT CROATIAN?
Sure. If you have a friend who wants to come along with you who is not Croatian they are welcome to join us. The speakers will be making their addresses in English while the liturgy will be mostly in Croatian. Have your friend register in the same way and through the same parish as you.
4. CAN MY FRIEND COME WHO IS NOT CATHOLIC?
Well, this is a Catholic gathering but if someone has interest in our faith they will not be turned away. As long as they are aware that it is a Catholic gathering and that they must be prepared to take part just like everyone else.
5. CAN I PARTICIPATE IF I AM YOUNGER THAN 16 OR OLDER THAN 30?
The original age range for the event was originally going to be 18 to 30 but was lowered down to 16. The line must be drawn somewhere because if the one who is “almost” 16 takes part then the one who is “almost” 15 will want to come also and then you have a 27 year old feeling pretty silly doing activities with a 14 year old. If you are almost 16 don’t worry your time will come and you will be the building block of future such gatherings. Those who are from the Toronto area but outside of the participant age range can register as volunteers and help out with the logistics of the weekend and in that way take part and witness this great event.
6. DO I HAVE TO BE THERE DURING THE ENTIRE WEEKEND?
Yes, if at all possible. This event is kind of different from a picnic where you can drop in and out any at time. With introductions on Friday evening and goodbyes on Sunday morning, the core of the event is really the Saturday. In this condensed time the participants will bond and experience a lot of things together and while nobody can stop you, you might feel kind of silly just parachuting in the middle of it.
7. CAN I STAY AT A HOTEL RATHER THAN WITH A HOST FAMILY?
Well, one of the purposes of this event is to build bridges within our Croatian community across the continent. This is accomplished a lot better by getting to know and spend a little time with another family which is probably very similar to yours. The weekend’s activities will take place from morning till night, so all that is left to do at the host family is pretty much sleep. It might seem awkward at first but by the end of the weekend you will go back home feeling like you have another aunt, uncle and cousins in Norval. Everyone coming from outside the GTA will be assigned to host families, if you insist on going to a hotel anyway; no one can really stop you. You’ll just be leaving your host family hanging and wondering why their home was not good enough.
PS. Everyone who stayed with host families at the inaugural “Mladifest 2013” had a great exerience!
8. WHAT IS THE PARTICIPANT FEE FOR?
This event will not be holding a big money making banquet so we’re pretty much dependant on sponsors and your registration fee to cover the technical and logistical costs of the weekend. The other reason is to give weight to your registration. A lot of things are being prepared for the participants so this fee serves as a sort of deterrent to people changing their mind at the last minute. We do not want anyone to miss out because of this fee so if you think it may cause a problem for you speak to your pastor who will probably be glad to help you out. If he does not contact us and we’ll take care of you.
9. WILL THERE BE ALCOHOL?
Well, it’s not really that kind of weekend which doesn’t mean that it will not be a fun weekend. This is faith based event that seeks to gather young people around Jesus Christ. If you know someone who has taken part in similar international gatherings of Catholic youth such as World Youth Day or Međugorje’s Mladifest, they can confirm how that in itself is an amazing and exhilarating experience where chugging beers would be kind of out of place.
10. WHAT WILL WE DO THERE?
Good question. Some of you may have taken part in retreats or faith gatherings already and you kind of know what to expect. For those who have no idea you can visit the “Schedule” section on our website to get a general feeling of what kind of things will go on at Mladifest 2013.
11. WHAT DO I HAVE TO BRING?
Not much really. Food and lodging will be provided for you which leaves you to bring your personal hygiene stuff, a change of clothing and a positive attitude. When you arrive you will receive a participant pack which includes, among other things, your official Mladifest t-shirt. Keep in mind that there may be light physical activity during the weekend so bring comfortable clothing. There is no banquet so no need bring your “Gino” shirts or skimpy skirts.
12. WILL WE GO SIGHTSEEING?
The weekend program goes from Friday evening 8PM until Sunday afternoon 3PM. Everything will take place on the grounds of our centre in Norval. If you wish to go sightseeing make arrangements to come a few days early or leave a few days later. We will try to provide you with accommodations for those extra days but we can confirm that until about a month before the event.
13. WHAT IF I CAN’T COMMIT BY THE APRIL 1ST DEADLINE?
It is next to impossible to organize something like this without having an accurate idea of the number of participants who will take part. This is why we urge you to register by the April 1st deadline. If you cannot commit by April 1st the registration fee jumps from $50 to $100 and if you wait too long after that registrations may close altogether or you might not receive all the items from your participant package such as a T-shirt.
But honestly, we all know that when something is important to us we make it a priority to be there well in advance i.e. that special concert, our wedding day, that big tournament... etc. Only when it’s something Church related to we have the attitude that we can show up last minute or not at all. It’s time for new generations to change that!
14. I’M OUTSIDE OF THE 16-30 AGE RANGE BUT I’M ACCOMPANYING A GROUP OF YOUTH COMING FROM AFAR. HOW SHOULD I REGISTER?
You should register as a volunteer. Send your volunteer registration form and $20 deposit* by mail. You can make your payment online by just entering $20 in the field where sponsors make their donations. Make sure to let us know that you also require accommodation so that we may place you in a host family. Please make sure that you keep a reasonable ratio of “chaperones” to participants.
If you live in the Greater Toronto Area are between 16 and 30 years old you should definitely register as a participant as this weekend is being organized specifically for you. You may also sign up as a volunteer and help out with preparations leading up to Mladifest but at the weekend itself you will be a participant. If you are younger than 16 or older than 30 you should sign up as a volunteer so you can help out with preparations as well as helping during the weekend itself. This is a great way for you to be involved and take part in the weekend if you are outside the participant age range. The difference is while as a participant you are taking part in the activities, as a volunteer you are the one running the activities or helping out logistically. If this was an amusement park you would need to be tall enough to go on the rides but if you’re too short you still get to be there and be the ride operator which is also fun.
PS. If you live outside the Greater Toronto Area you can sign up as a volunteer if you are over 30 years old and accompanying a group of participants.
2. WILL THERE BE A DANCE AT MLADIFES?
Well, yes and no. There won't be a dance in the sense that you may be used to at other Croatian festivals and gatherings. But there will surely be a lot of fun and fellowship and opportunities for dancing. The Saturday evening festivities will consist of a variety show with musical guests and surprise entertainers, topped off with fireworks and a bonfire.
PS. There was plenty of dancing and socializing at the inaugural “Mladifest 2013”
3. CAN MY FRIEND COME WHO IS NOT CROATIAN?
Sure. If you have a friend who wants to come along with you who is not Croatian they are welcome to join us. The speakers will be making their addresses in English while the liturgy will be mostly in Croatian. Have your friend register in the same way and through the same parish as you.
4. CAN MY FRIEND COME WHO IS NOT CATHOLIC?
Well, this is a Catholic gathering but if someone has interest in our faith they will not be turned away. As long as they are aware that it is a Catholic gathering and that they must be prepared to take part just like everyone else.
5. CAN I PARTICIPATE IF I AM YOUNGER THAN 16 OR OLDER THAN 30?
The original age range for the event was originally going to be 18 to 30 but was lowered down to 16. The line must be drawn somewhere because if the one who is “almost” 16 takes part then the one who is “almost” 15 will want to come also and then you have a 27 year old feeling pretty silly doing activities with a 14 year old. If you are almost 16 don’t worry your time will come and you will be the building block of future such gatherings. Those who are from the Toronto area but outside of the participant age range can register as volunteers and help out with the logistics of the weekend and in that way take part and witness this great event.
6. DO I HAVE TO BE THERE DURING THE ENTIRE WEEKEND?
Yes, if at all possible. This event is kind of different from a picnic where you can drop in and out any at time. With introductions on Friday evening and goodbyes on Sunday morning, the core of the event is really the Saturday. In this condensed time the participants will bond and experience a lot of things together and while nobody can stop you, you might feel kind of silly just parachuting in the middle of it.
7. CAN I STAY AT A HOTEL RATHER THAN WITH A HOST FAMILY?
Well, one of the purposes of this event is to build bridges within our Croatian community across the continent. This is accomplished a lot better by getting to know and spend a little time with another family which is probably very similar to yours. The weekend’s activities will take place from morning till night, so all that is left to do at the host family is pretty much sleep. It might seem awkward at first but by the end of the weekend you will go back home feeling like you have another aunt, uncle and cousins in Norval. Everyone coming from outside the GTA will be assigned to host families, if you insist on going to a hotel anyway; no one can really stop you. You’ll just be leaving your host family hanging and wondering why their home was not good enough.
PS. Everyone who stayed with host families at the inaugural “Mladifest 2013” had a great exerience!
8. WHAT IS THE PARTICIPANT FEE FOR?
This event will not be holding a big money making banquet so we’re pretty much dependant on sponsors and your registration fee to cover the technical and logistical costs of the weekend. The other reason is to give weight to your registration. A lot of things are being prepared for the participants so this fee serves as a sort of deterrent to people changing their mind at the last minute. We do not want anyone to miss out because of this fee so if you think it may cause a problem for you speak to your pastor who will probably be glad to help you out. If he does not contact us and we’ll take care of you.
9. WILL THERE BE ALCOHOL?
Well, it’s not really that kind of weekend which doesn’t mean that it will not be a fun weekend. This is faith based event that seeks to gather young people around Jesus Christ. If you know someone who has taken part in similar international gatherings of Catholic youth such as World Youth Day or Međugorje’s Mladifest, they can confirm how that in itself is an amazing and exhilarating experience where chugging beers would be kind of out of place.
10. WHAT WILL WE DO THERE?
Good question. Some of you may have taken part in retreats or faith gatherings already and you kind of know what to expect. For those who have no idea you can visit the “Schedule” section on our website to get a general feeling of what kind of things will go on at Mladifest 2013.
11. WHAT DO I HAVE TO BRING?
Not much really. Food and lodging will be provided for you which leaves you to bring your personal hygiene stuff, a change of clothing and a positive attitude. When you arrive you will receive a participant pack which includes, among other things, your official Mladifest t-shirt. Keep in mind that there may be light physical activity during the weekend so bring comfortable clothing. There is no banquet so no need bring your “Gino” shirts or skimpy skirts.
12. WILL WE GO SIGHTSEEING?
The weekend program goes from Friday evening 8PM until Sunday afternoon 3PM. Everything will take place on the grounds of our centre in Norval. If you wish to go sightseeing make arrangements to come a few days early or leave a few days later. We will try to provide you with accommodations for those extra days but we can confirm that until about a month before the event.
13. WHAT IF I CAN’T COMMIT BY THE APRIL 1ST DEADLINE?
It is next to impossible to organize something like this without having an accurate idea of the number of participants who will take part. This is why we urge you to register by the April 1st deadline. If you cannot commit by April 1st the registration fee jumps from $50 to $100 and if you wait too long after that registrations may close altogether or you might not receive all the items from your participant package such as a T-shirt.
But honestly, we all know that when something is important to us we make it a priority to be there well in advance i.e. that special concert, our wedding day, that big tournament... etc. Only when it’s something Church related to we have the attitude that we can show up last minute or not at all. It’s time for new generations to change that!
14. I’M OUTSIDE OF THE 16-30 AGE RANGE BUT I’M ACCOMPANYING A GROUP OF YOUTH COMING FROM AFAR. HOW SHOULD I REGISTER?
You should register as a volunteer. Send your volunteer registration form and $20 deposit* by mail. You can make your payment online by just entering $20 in the field where sponsors make their donations. Make sure to let us know that you also require accommodation so that we may place you in a host family. Please make sure that you keep a reasonable ratio of “chaperones” to participants.