2024 Summit Details

Alert: Parents, participant check-in is in a new location, and we have new Check-in/out procedures. Please Read this page carefully!

Summit is a two-day event for ALL registered boys and girls ages 8-12 led by the Youth Leaders. Please make sure to read the information below thoroughly as there are instructions for parents, youth, adult volunteers, and volunteer villains. Contact us at info@heroicyouth.org or through Facebook Messenger if you have any questions. To see details for Hero Quest, click HERE.

Date and Location

Friday, August 23rd and Saturday, August 24th
American Fork Amphitheater
850 E 700 N
American Fork, UT 84003

Parking

In order to keep parking under control, please follow these guidelines to help ensure a good experience for all!

Carpool wherever possible.
DO NOT park illegally or block roads or other cars. Police will ticket your vehicle.
DO NOT park or drop off attendees in or near the lower parking area, as there is traffic during that time, and there is no one to supervise your child.
Refer to the parking map for details on where to park, depending on your role.
Youth Leaders - Park on the street along 900 East. Carpool where possible. If on-street parking is NOT available, you may park in the Upper North parking lot on the northwest side. You will be checking-in at a different location this year.
Parent Drop-off/Pick-up - Park in the Upper/North parking lot. For special needs, there will be a small short-term parking zone near Check-in. Please refer to the map for overflow parking on Saturday. DO NOT park illegally or block roads or other cars. Police will ticket your vehicle.
Villains - Park in the church parking lot north of the temple.
Royalty & Committee Heads - Park in the Lower West parking lot on 860 East.
Other Volunteers - If you have an assignment in a certain area of the park, you may park in the lot near your assignment in either the Lower West or Upper North parking lots. Please leave a large section of the Upper North parking lot closest to Check-in for Parent drop-off/pick-up. Talk to your Committee Head for clarification if needed.

Arrival Times/Schedule (as of 8/13/2024)

If you have arranged an arrival time not listed, please disregard the times listed and keep to your specifically arranged time.

Friday

7:00 AM - Logistics and Equipment Team Arrives
7:30 AM - Check-in Staff and Check-in Costumes Staff Check-in
7:30 AM - Royal House Check-in
7:45 AM - Royal House Huddle
8:00 AM - Princesses and Master Knights Check-in
8:00 AM - Ladies/Matrons and Lords/Sergeants Check-in
8:15 AM - Master Knight and Princess Huddles
8:15 AM - SMLL's Huddle
8:30 AM - Youth Leader Check-in
8:30 AM - Cast Members, Photography, and Videography Staff Check-in
8:45 AM - Page, Squire, Flagbearer, Lady-in-Waiting, Shield Maiden, Royal Guard, and Vanguard Huddles
9:00 AM - Participant Check-in (children 8-12)
9:30 AM - Event Begins
4:00 PM - Participant Check-out (children 8-12)
4:30-5:30 PM - Volunteer and Youth Leader Checkout and Begin Departure Steps (leaving around 5:00-5:30)

Check-in Heroic Youth costumes and weapons.
Put personal belongings in your car or in designated areas for those waiting on rides.
Take down and clean up Camp/Kingdom area, return equipment.
Complete clean-up assignment
Go home (except for MKs, Princesses, and Royal House for debrief). Get lots of rest, food, and water and de-stinkify.

5:00 PM - Royal House, Master Knight, and Princess Debrief

Saturday

6:30 AM - Logistics and Equipment Team Arrives
7:30 AM - Check-in Staff, Check-in Costumes Staff, and Facilities Teams Check-in
7:30 AM - Royal House Check-in
7:45 AM - Royal House Huddle
8:00 AM - Princesses and Master Knights Check-in
8:00 AM - Ladies/Matrons and Lords/Sergeants Check-in
8:15 AM - Master Knight and Princess Huddles
8:15 AM - SMLL's Huddle
8:30 AM - Youth Leader Check-in
8:45 AM - Page, Squire, Flagbearer, Lady-in-Waiting, Shield Maiden, Royal Guard, and Vanguard Huddles
9:00 AM - Cast Members, Photography, and Videography Staff Check-in
9:00 AM - Participant Check-in (children 8-12)
9:00 to 12:45 PM - Villain Check-in (see emails from villain coordinators for details)
9:30 AM - Event begins
4:00 PM - Parents meet in Throne Room before Closing Ceremonies (Amphitheater)
6:00 PM - Participant Check-out following Closing Ceremonies (children 8-12, time is approximate)
7:00-8:30 PM - Youth Leader Clean up Camps and Kingdoms and complete house assignments; Full clean-up begins

Check-in all loaner weapons and costumes.
Put all your personal belongings in your vehicle. Return quickly to your camp/kingdom for take-down.
Take down Camps/Kingdoms, clean the area, and return equipment.
Clean up your assigned area of the park.
Report to Logistics Leads (in vests) for take-down help if you are able.
Leave the park.
Don’t despair. The Debrief and Ball events are still coming up! You WILL see each other again!

7:30 PM - Master Knight and Princess Debrief; Clean-up continues

Youth Leader Information

Check the Hero Quest Details Page for your costume information and packing list. The only change for Summit days is that you will not need to pack a dinner on Friday and schedule times may be different on Summit days.

Family and Participant Information

Participant Check-in and Check-out (children 8-12):

NOTE: WE HAVE NEW CHECK-IN/OUT PROCEDURES AND LOCATION. READ CAREFULLY.

Check-in Procedure:

Check-in starts at 9:00 am Friday and Saturday.

Parents bring their child to the check in tent.
By signing a child(ren) in, parents agree to the terms of the check in/check out process.
Parents sign their child in, making sure they have lunch, water bottle, and closed-toe shoes.
*Parents will need to designate who will pick their child(ren) up. This is the only person we are authorized to release their children to. For safety of our children, they cannot leave without advance authorization (text # to change if needed).
Parent leaves to go to their volunteer role/home until checkout.

Check-out Procedure:

Check-out on Friday is at 4:00pm. On Saturday check-out will be following Closing Ceremonies (which you are invited to - see Closing Ceremonies section). Please be prompt in checking out your attendees on both days so that our volunteers can do their other post-event assignments and go home too.

At the same place you dropped your child(ren) off: A parent/designated pick up person waits in the checkout line and requests the child(ren) needed. This request will be double checked to make sure that they are on the designated pick up person list.
Parent/designated checkout person signs at checkout and then moves to a waiting area.
A runner is sent with the request to gather the child(ren) and bring them to the waiting area.
*On Saturday after check-out, remember to go to the lower training field to get pictures with the Master Knights and Princesses and eat cake as part of our 20th Anniversary Celebration!

Participant Packing List (both days)
Every handmaiden (girl, ages 8-12) and every knight (boy, ages 8-12) needs to be prepared in order to have the best experience possible. Pre-hydrate your child as well by encouraging drinking more water for at least a week before the event to avoid heat exhaustion. We frequently experience all four seasons in one day at this time of year and it is crucial that your child is prepared for heat and for cold. Summit goes on, rain or shine. Please send the following with your child, in a backpack or bag, all items clearly marked with their name:

Water bottle
Sack lunch. Be generous. They will be very hungry.
Warm jacket
Rain poncho (the thin dollar store kind would be sufficient)
Good closed-toed shoes. Even though the girls will be wearing dresses, they need to have closed-toe shoes so they can run and play in the park. Running shoes are best.

Note: There is no dinner provided on either day. The Camp and Kingdom leaders will be arranging snacks with the families, but please send a very generous lunch with your child. Plan on eating dinner soon after the event on both days.

Participant Dress Code

Girls: modest dresses or skirts and blouses. Participating Handmaidens (ages 8-12) will be lent a sash to go over their dress.

Dresses can be princess-style or simply Sunday style. These dresses will be worn during active play in the park, so please keep that in mind when selecting what they will wear.
No long trains, huge trailing sleeves, or hoops in the skirt.
Dress in layers to accommodate fluctuating temperatures.
Good fitting, supportive, closed-toe shoes are required to be worn at all times while on the premises.

Boys: Wear a T-shirt or long-sleeved shirt (dressing in layers is best) and pants. Participating knights (ages 8-12) will be lent a tabard and belt.

Athletic pants or cotton slacks are better than jeans
Shorts are allowed for child participants, but keep the weather in mind
No inappropriate slogans on shirts
Good fitting, supportive, closed-toe shoes are required to be worn at all times while on the premises.

Closing Ceremonies and Celebration (4:00 PM on Saturday)

Come celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Summit with us by attending the closing ceremonies in the amphitheater on Saturday. We highly encourage parents and siblings to attend to support and give their child(ren) a triumphal entry as the hero(es) of their story. Please note that there is no “Family Viewing Area” for the Final Battle. It may be tempting to go find your child when you arrive; however, they need you to cheer them on as they come back victorious to the Throne Room (amphitheater) for closing ceremonies. Camp and Kingdom leadership generally take photos and are encouraged to share them with parents.

Please arrive at the Amphitheater by 4:00 pm. Park in the North Upper Parking Lot (see Parking Map) then find a seat at the amphitheater and you will be given instructions. Remember that this is a simulation for the attendees, so do not distract them from the experience they are having by approaching them in their Camps (knights) or Kingdoms (handmaidens) or while they are participating in activities. The best way to see what is happening at Summit is to Volunteer!

You can add to your child’s experience by dressing up, where possible, by cheering for them at closing ceremonies, and, most importantly, by discussing their experience with them afterward to help cement the lessons they have been learning at Summit.

Parents and Siblings, please bring/wear:

Sunscreen
Hat
Water bottle: We have water to refill them as needed.
Something soft to sit on: You may want to bring something soft to sit on as the amphitheater steps are hard and can get really warm in the sun.
Dress up, if desired
Picnic Dinner (optional)

After closing ceremonies, parents follow check-out procedures outlined above.

Volunteer Information

For volunteer questions, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator:
volunteers@heroicyouth.org

All Volunteers, please make sure you have done the following:

Sign an Event Waiver.
Update your Youth Protection Training: For the safety of the youth, all volunteers are required to complete a free online 30-60-minute youth protection training course at their convenience. If you have completed a youth protection training course within the last 12 months, that counts toward the requirement. You will not be permitted to enter the event venue if you have not completed training before the event. Choose ONE of these trainings:

Protecting Children and Youth (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints)
Youth Protection (Boy Scouts of America)

Report completion to volunteers@heroicyouth.org

Volunteer Reminders

All volunteers at the main event must wear a costume. Please be sure to prepare your costume in advance. It can be very simple - follow the official costume guidelines. You may also find ideas in unofficial parent/volunteer Facebook groups. House Mentors will be lent a tabard/belt (male) or apron/overdress (female) in their assigned house color. We also have a few underdresses that we can lend to female House Mentors; however, please contact our Christathel Costumer, Lady Pamela Mickelsen (801 719 4417) to reserve one. House Mentors need to be dressed in their House color.
Wear sturdy, close-toed shoes to avoid hurting your feet in the hilly, rocky park. Tennis shoes work great even though they don’t match your costume - everyone wears them.
No meals will be provided at the event and food deliveries are not allowed. They detract from the carefully cultivated simulation atmosphere. See packing list for more info.
Start drinking water at least a couple of days before the event to prevent dehydration and heat exhaustion, even if you plan to drink plenty of water on the day of the event.
Children under age 8 are not allowed at the event, except for some extenuating circumstances. Please make arrangements for them to be cared for outside of the event venue.
Please make arrangements for your child to be picked up as soon as the event is over. You need to be able to continue to focus on your volunteer role, and the adult volunteers with stewardship over your child need to be able to complete their assignments and go home in a timely manner.

Volunteer Packing List

Every volunteer needs to be prepared in order to have the best experience possible. We frequently experience all four seasons in one day at this time of year and it is crucial that you are prepared for heat and for cold. Summit goes on, rain or shine. Please bring the following in a backpack or bag. All personal belongings should be labeled with your name to keep them from getting lost or inadvertently stolen.

Refillable water bottle (labeled)
Warm jacket or sweater for morning/evening hours
Rain poncho or very light jacket
Hand-held umbrella for blocking sun and/or rain
Sunscreen
Sunglasses and/or sun blocking hat, bandana, etc.
Handheld fan and/or spray bottle
Camping chair or blanket - there will not be chairs available for everyone to sit during times of low activity
Costume
Backup chargers for your phone, especially if you are assigned to a check-in area, cast role, messenger/runner role, or will be a Lord, Lady, Matron, or Sergeant
Plenty of food for all three meals, in an insulated cooler or lunch box (labeled)
2-3 hearty snacks (see below for suggestions)
Supplies for your volunteer role, if applicable
A sword or other approved weapon if you will be a villain (labeled)

Snack Suggestions
You will DEFINITELY get hungry throughout the day so your snacks should be hearty! Be generous. You should bring at least one salty or sweet and one hydrating snack.

Pretzels and carrot sticks
Cheese sticks and grapes
Granola bars and lemonade or gatorade packets
Oreos and snap peas
Almonds and apple slices
Chips and veggies with hummus

Villain Information

For villain questions, please contact our Villain Coordinator:
Drew Nelson
be.a.heroicvillain@gmail.com
Cell: 801 691 4421

Villain Check-in Times (as of 8/13/2024)

Saturday, August 24th
9:00 AM to 12:45 PM - It takes time to arm and process each villain, hence the check-in time range. Please see email from villain coordinators for more details.

There will be no walk-on villains. All villains must be registered. Youth villains (ages 13-18) must have attend a villain training (on the July 20th or August 10th). We are still in need of male and female adult villains! The Villain registration form can be found here.

Please Wear

Dark-colored long pants (that you don't mind getting grass stains on). Preferably something that can pass as "medieval" like sweats or old Dockers. Stay away from jeans and no shorts, please.
A black shirt
Eye protection (sunglasses, safety glasses, etc.)
It is recommended that men wear a cup for some extra protection.
You may also wear black or dark-colored capes, robes, medieval-looking uniforms, headdresses, makeup, etc.

Please Bring

Refillable water bottle (labeled)
Sunblock
Heroic Youth approved sword if you have one (please bring extras if you are willing to share! We have markers to label them, if needed.)
Food: Bring the food you think you’ll need. NO FOOD WILL BE PROVIDED at the event and FOOD DELIVERIES ARE NOT ALLOWED. You should start drinking water at least a couple of days before the event to prevent dehydration, even if you plan to drink plenty of water on the day of the event.
Supplies for your villain role, if applicable

Please Help

We need villains to volunteer to help take down tents and clear up the equipment after the battle is over. There will be Logistic Lead Volunteers (in vests) to help organize villains for these very important tasks.