Junior Yearly Meeting

Junior Yearly Meeting (JYM) is a gathering for young Quakers. There are various JYM groups worldwide, which cover the same geographical boundaries as their respective Yearly meeting. Most countries have one Yearly meeting which corresponds to national borders, but in the USA there are Yearly Meetings on regional, state and city level, and this is reflected in their JYMs. The frequency and age range of gatherings varies between JYMs.

In Britain, JYM is a residential annual gathering, held at a different time to the BYM all-age gathering, of about 140 16–18 year olds from around the country and a few Friends from European Yearly Meetings. Each Monthly meeting within BYM nominates two young people to attend as representatives, and each of the Friends Schools in Britain (but not Northern Ireland) Quaker School also nominates two young people as representatives. The event is organised, clerked and facilitated by 16–18 year olds in partnership with staff and adult volunteers (Over 20s). Participants reflect on the theme through a variety of activities, including main speaker sessions, base groups and small group sessions. There are also a wide range of topical workshops.

In the USA, JYM gatherings take place either alongside the annual Yearly Meeting gathering, as a separate annual gathering, as in Britain, or as more frequent gatherings.