ASC…the final convention in GAR before summer. This is the convention of beginnings and ends as seniors say their goodbyes and a new regional board is ushered in. Here is a recap of the 2024 convention:

Day 1

Friday night, all of GAR congregated around buses as we headed to Camp High Harbor. Once arriving, we had pizza for dinner and then had services. This was the first event of the convention that was senior-focused. Seniors around GAR each came up to lead a prayer and reflected on how the prayer could relate to their BBYO experiences. After that, we changed into comfy clothes and settled in for a long night of seniors giving their lives.

Day 2

We started with services where there were 3 options of varying observance. The options were the friendship service, the leadership service, and the traditional service. After services, freshmen around GAR had the opportunity to lead their first BBYO program after spending the year in the Y’ALL program. The stations were ultimate frisbee, a modified game of ships and sailors that were Purim-themed, a talent show, and a fashion show where we had to design outfits out of toilet paper and duct tape. After this was a celebration of BBYO’s 100th year anniversary that was styled like a birthday party with pinatas and cookies to top it off. After lunch, we had the admin program where we had to lead team members to make candy sushi while blindfolded. The last thing before Chofesh was BBGG and AZAA programs where the BBGs had water activities and the AZAs played basketball. After dinner, we did Havdalah in the amphitheater and went into separates and spirit circles. The night was not over just yet though. We had an epic Purim-themed rave where groggers and hamentaschen were handed out. The surprise and delight committee shocked everyone with a bonfire and stargazing session before everyone was sent to bed.

Day 3

This was a quick day as elections took up most of the time. After breakfast, we were quickly dismissed into elections. GAR was successful in electing its new regional board for the upcoming year. We moved into a quick friendship circle for closing rituals and then loaded up the buses and returned home.