Keynote: Krista “KK” Langley

Krista is an energetic and creative dancing and community building fanatic! She is a member of the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe and serves in multiple roles for the Indian Presbyterian Church. KK has served as an adult advisor to the American Indian Youth Council since 2005 and been on and off leadership for MCYC since 2003. She loves being outdoors and has worked for the US Forest Service since 2009, currently as a sub-regional Volunteer and Service Program Specialist. Krista is passionate about empowering youth to take on greater leadership roles in the church and seeks to build community at youth conferences through innovative games and dances. She enjoys leading Zumba, all sports, and spending time in the woods! Her greatest joy is spending time with her husband and three daughters, teaching her girls through storytelling the importance of natural resources, cultural heritage, and living life to the fullest with God’s guidance!

Fun fact: KK loves storytelling and believes we help empower one another through the sharing of personal and cultural stories!

Director: Norma Valdery

Norma Leticia Valdery has been a member of San Pablo+Trinity Presbyterian church which is found in the East end barrio of Houston, Texas since she was about 6 years old. Norma married Ronald Valdery in August of 2018. They have a blended family of a 22-year-old daughter, Tazia, and a 20-year-old son, J.C. Norma obtained her degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Houston in 1996. She currently works for the state of Texas as a Curriculum Developer assisting with the training of new employees on learning policy for Texas benefits. Fun fact for Norma, she has been singing since she was born. Her dad would say, Norma was born singing. She has been singing for as long as she can remember.
Norma has pretty much worn all hats in the church. Although she is not a pastor, she has had the privilege of preaching the word on an occasional Sunday morning. She currently underwent training through an organization called POPs (Prayers of the People) to become a Lay Chaplain. Norma says she will do what the Lord calls on her to do, and at times, it means giving a workshop, volunteering, mission work, or being the director for this amazing conference, ICYC. Norma says her love for Jesus grows more and more and wants to share with everyone His truth and real love for us all.

Music: Matthew Black

Matthew Black (he/him) is a singer/songwriter and worship leader with deep roots in the Presbyterian Church. Matt has led worship for programs at many different Presbyterian camps and conference centers with groups like Young Adult Volunteers and Presbyterian Peace Fellowship. His worship leadership often includes music from around the world, as well as classic hymns and his own compositions. His original songs are available on all major platforms and at https://matthewblackmusic.com. He recently moved to Louisville, KY, and his favorite ice cream flavor is mint chocolate chip.

Worship Coordinator: Ethan B. Battise
Who is Mr. Ethan B. Battise? Some would say he is a jokester, a prankster, an awesome person, a visionary and even have been heard to be called Phenomenal!!

He hails from San Antonio, Texas by way of the Alabama Coushatta Reservation. His hobbies include PC gaming, drawing, joking around and playing Pokémon, so he can be the very best, like no one ever could.

He always looks forward to ICYC conference every year. He has risen up through the ranks and served in many roles throughout the conference. He will be the current Worship Coordinator for this coming conference.

Mo Ranch and this Conference means to him is like a family reunion. Getting to see everyone again and making new friends and always seeing the different cultures represented!!!

Small Group Coordinator: Yadhira “Yadi” Parra

Yadi is shy at first but once she gets to know you, she will grow on you.  She resides in Houston, TX which is also home to the Houston Astros the 2022 World Champions!  Yadi assisted as a small group leader in 2021 at Mo-Ranch and prior to that she was a participant since a young age. She likes to meet new people, helping others and listen when people share their stories. She looks forward to being a part of the 2023 ICYC conference to continue to grow spiritually and guide others in their journey to Jesus!

Director: Coming Soon!

Co-Director: Coming Soon!

ICYC 2022 Theme

Program Department COVID Protocols – June 1, 2022

COVID:

• At this time face masks are welcomed, however not required. 
• Please monitor symptoms of all participants in the days upcoming.
• Once your group arrives, we ask you do not leave the property unless for emergencies.
• Small Group’s will be outdoors, in shade, under pop-up tents, with cold drinking water at each space.
• We are still encouraging social distancing and effective hygiene. 
• Hand sanitization and disinfectant stations will be widely available. 
• Mo-Ranch Executives are continuing to monitor probable COVID cases in seventeen counties in Texas included in the major metro areas of Texas as well as the lower Valley.

Protocols are subject to change and may be amended at any time 

ICYC 2022 Schedule

Cost & Housing

$250 per registrant/adult sponsor for group lodging.

$385 per registrant/adult sponsor for hotel lodging. 

Housing

Many of the buildings on our historic property were built as early as the 1950s.  We acknowledge that our buildings cannot accommodate all abilities and people yet and commit to making reasonable accommodations until all facilities are renovated.

Standard housing for youth conferences at Mo-Ranch is group housing. These spaces include, but are not limited to, Milk Barn, Milk Barn Bunkhouses, River Dorm, Guest Lodge, and Log Lodge.

Conference Housing Description – Shared space with other churches, youth groups, and conference attendees.

Sleeping quarters will vary from semi-private to dormitory style housing that can consist of 4- 20 beds in a shared communal living environment. These rooms can consist of single or double beds, and single bunk bed styles. For specific bed/room layouts, please visit Stay at Mo-Ranch • Presbyterian Mo-Ranch Assembly (moranch.org).

Bathroom Facilities Description

Bathrooms in group housing are shared community spaces. Private showers and bathroom stalls are available. There are no designated private changing areas. Mo-Ranch encourages all guests/campers/staff to change clothes in private areas and discourages nudity or disrobing directly in front of others.

Mo-Ranch encourages all participants for youth conferences to reside in the community living environment. However, if this style of lodging does not meet your individual needs, please make us aware. We will make every effort to accommodate your housing needs. Changes in housing are subject to availability and additional fees.  

Considerations

Housing Reservations: When booking your group for a conference at Mo, please be mindful of our limitations and our available housing. Conference participants will be housed on a first come, first serve basis, though we will do our best to honor your housing preference. To be good stewards of the housing facilities that we have available, your group may be housed with other youth groups in dorm/group housing. It is always a good idea to share this information with your group, including youth participants, parents, chaperones, and church leadership prior to booking so that we may partner with you and your group to try meet the needs of your participants.

Sponsors

You will need a sponsor to youth ratio of 1:5. Adult sponsors must also pay and register for the conference. The number of adult sponsors must correspond to the gender numbers in the group they are bringing.  Five boys and three girls would mean at least one male and one female sponsor. If your group chooses to stay in hotel-style accommodations, youth will be housed 3-4 youth per room and churches may be combined to accommodate this arrangement.

Questions? We’re happy to help! Contact us at 1.800.460.4401 ext. 246 or registrar@moranch.org.

Arrival & Departure

Arrive and check-in between 4 and 6 p.m. on the day the conference begins. One sponsor per group should check-in their group. Groups will be able to move into their housing facilities no earlier than 4 p.m. Conferences begin with dinner at 6 p.m. and end mid-morning on the day of departure.

Adult Sponsors

You will need a ratio of 1:5; 1 adult sponsor per 5 youth. Adult sponsors must also register and pay for the conference. The number of adult sponsors must correspond to the gender numbers in the group they are bringing. 5 boys and 3 girls would mean at least 1 male and 1 female sponsor.

Appropriate Dress

While we recognize clothing is one way young people express themselves, we expect them to do so in ways that honor themselves as well as the kind of community we are building during our youth conferences. We ask participants (both youth and adult sponsors) to dress comfortably for the weather, but also modestly. Please refrain from wearing clothing:

• that is too revealing like: short shorts, strapless tops or dresses, shirts that allow for a bare midriff, pants worn below the waist line. Dress should be appropriate for a youth conference. 
• that advertises alcohol or tobacco products
• that contains language demeaning or ridiculing someone’s gender, sexuality or ethnic origin

For recreation events, all participants are expected to wear shirts. Participants out of line with dress standards will be asked to change clothes or put on an over-layer that provides adequate coverage.

Swim Check

Youth will be asked to take a swim check at the pool during the check-in period. For easy access, youth should remember to pack swimsuits on top. Swimmer and non-swimmer wristbands will be issued to all participants. All youth participants must take the swim check even if they are 18 years of age. Participants not wishing to take the swim check must go to the pool to be given a non-swimmer wristband. Wristbands provide guest identification to our staff and act as meal tickets in the dining hall, and must be worn by guests at all times. Please note Mo-Ranch’s appropriate dress standards when packing swim suits.

Stuff to Bring

Water bottles! Bible, casual clothes, closed-toe shoes for ropes course, swim suit (swim trunks for males, no bikinis for females. “Tankinis” are acceptable so long as no midriff is showing), swim towel, river shoes, sunscreen, insect repellent, flashlight, toiletries, notebook, spending money and a camera.

Personal Electronics

Electronic devices include, but are not limited to: cell phones, tablets, mp3 players and handheld games. The use of personal electronic devices affect not only the person using the device but others around them. Using an electronic device for activities unrelated to the conference can be disruptive and disrespectful. Mo-Ranch encourages groups to leave personal electronics at home. We ask that any electronic devices brought to the conference be kept on silent or turned off during all scheduled events (keynote, small group, worship, vespers, etc.) Distracting personal electronics may be collected by conference staff and turned in to a sponsor. Mo-Ranch or its representatives will not assume responsibility for devices that are lost, stolen, damaged and/or confiscated.

Transportation

Mo-Ranch is 90 miles one-way, or a 2-hour drive from the nearest airport (SAT), allow 3 hours travel/check-in time for departures. We recommend generally scheduling arriving flights before 3 p.m. and departing flights after 3 p.m. to be sure you do not miss any of your event. If you are in need of shuttle service to Mo-Ranch, call Kars for Hire in Kerrville at (830) 890-8200 at least 15 days in advance to arrange transportation from San Antonio International Airport. Directions to Mo.

Ropes Course

This conference will include a selection of our ropes course elements. To read a description of each element, click here.

Bookstore

Make sure to stop by the Presbyterian Mo-Ranch Assembly bookstore during your conference to pick out a souvenir!

Questions

We’re happy to help! Contact us at 1.800.460.4401 ext. 246 or registrar@moranch.org.