Apply to be a PAL

Peer Advocate Leader (PAL) Application

What do PALs do?

Peer Advocate Leaders (PALs) work closely with the Youth Program Manager to plan and implement Youth CONs. Training includes discussions of group facilitation skills, conflict resolution techniques, program development, and intersectionality as we strive to plan CONs that are truly welcoming to all. Planning includes selecting a theme for each CON and hammering out the details of workshops and other activities. During CONs, PALs co-lead workshops, activities, and focus groups of 8-10 participants.

PALs are youth ages 14-17. Youth empowerment has always been at the heart of CONs. PAL Mentors are ages 18+. Often, they attended CONs as youth and return as adults to ensure that youth have the same opportunity for life-enriching experiences and community building as they had.

A Fall & Spring commitment is preferrable, but it is possible to be a PAL for just one season. PALs must be available for the PAL Training/CON Planning weekend and at least two of the three CONs of the seasons they apply to. COVID vaccination is strongly encouraged; adherence to COVID protocols (such as masking) as determined by the Youth Program Manager is mandatory. PAL Mentors must complete a background check. PALs do not need to be accompanied by an advisor to attend PAL Training/CON Planning or any CONs.

Please Note: AFTER your application has been approved, please register for the CON. In our registration system – select Youth CON.

Benefits to being a PAL:

Excellent opportunity to hone your organizational, interpersonal, and leadership skills
Can be counted towards volunteer hours or internship hours (this position is unpaid), excellent resume builder
Programming, meals, and housing provided free of charge for every weekend you are at The Mountain as a PAL
Build meaningful relationships with fellow PALs, youth, advisors, and Mountain Staff

Apply Now

Apply Now

PAL Application

Please send an email to youthcamp@themountainrlc.org with any questions or concerns about being a PAL this spring.

Comments

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Name(Required)

First Last

Pronouns

Birthday(Required)

Email(Required)

Phone(Required)

Address(Required)

Street Address Address Line 2 City State ZIP Code

Why do you want to be a PAL?

What previous leadership experience do you have?

What are your greatest strengths to share as a PAL?

What are new skills you would like to have the opportunity to develop as a PAL?

Please tell me about any previous experiences with Mountain CONs, MountainCamp, or other Mountain events and programs and/or previous experiences with UU CONs elsewhere.

If you have previous involvement with Mountain CONs or CONs elsewhere, which traditions do you feel are important? What would you like to see change?

How have you been involved with Unitarian Universalism?

What previous experience do you have working with youth (including work at The Mountain)? Please list positions held (if any) and dates of work:

What do you hope to focus on to help bring CON participants together?

What's one thing you can do to make someone's day while you're here?

Which weekends are you available?(Required)

January PAL Planning Weekend (Required)

February 20 - 22: Spring Elementary CON

March 6 - 8: Spring Intermediate CON

March 27 - 29: Spring Senior High CON

Other

If other, please explain:

Questions / Comments

Items of Note:

The Mountain’s Youth Protection Policy requires a background check for anyone age 18 and over working with youth. Each PAL Mentor MUST go through a background check to participate in Youth CONs. See the steps below.

Download the Authorization for Consumer Reports (PDF).
Complete and sign the form.
Submit via:
- Mail:
  P.O. Box 1299
  Highlands, NC 28741
- or upload securely through this dropbox link.

Youth Protection Policy

The Mountain recognizes the importance of fostering and creating communities where everyone, especially our most vulnerable populations such as children and youth, are protected. We seek to preserve that spirit of welcome, respect, and trust in balance with our concern for the safety of our children, applying the test of “reasonable precaution” to any policies or guidelines we adopt. We further acknowledge that institutions operating in the best possible manner with all due concern still cannot guarantee an absolutely risk-free setting. In this spirit, we adopt this policy statement and apply it to all events conducted under the purview of The Mountain.

Read The Mountain’s Youth Protection Policy Here (pdf)