FAQs

General Questions

This section of FAQs pertain to Gateway Students and their friends. If you are a guest church joining us for GWSC23, click here to jump to your FAQs as not all the information is the same.

Are partial conference rates available?

Partial registration is not available. We recommend registering and attending as much of the conference as your schedule will allow.

Are seats assigned?

All tickets for this conference are general admission. While there are not seat assignments, each campus will have a section of the auditorium to sit with their campus. This is encouraged but not required. Doors open 30 minutes prior to each session.

Can I (parent or guardian of attendee) come inside the building?

Due to safety concerns, we do not allow adults into the building who are not registered Gateway Student Conference volunteer or staff member. We require every adult working conference to have a background check. This is the best way for us to ensure your student is safe. Thank you for understanding.

Can I register at the door?

If the conference is NOT sold out, at-the-door registration will be accepted but will not include the overnight stays. Your student must be dropped off and picked up each day.

How can I register to be a volunteer?

You can register to volunteer for Gateway Student Conference here.

How do I request financial aid? 

Financial aid applications are available to students currently attending Gateway Students on Wednesday nights. If you are in need of financial aid for a current Gateway Student, please click his or her campus below to filll out the request form. You may also contact his or her campus directly regarding any questions you may have.

Southlake Campus | studentsslk@gatewaypeople.com

Dallas Campus | studentsdal@gatewaypeople.com

Frisco Campus | studentsfrs@gatewaypeople.com

Grand Prairie Campus | studentsgrp@gatewaypeople.com

Justin Campus | studentsjst@gatewaypeople.com

North Fort Worth Campus | studentsnfw@gatewaypeople.com

North Richland Hills Campus | studentsnrh@gatewaypeople.com

Plano Campus | studentspln@gatewaypeople.com

Prosper Campus | studentspsp@gatewaypeople.com

What does the registration fee cover?

Regular registration ($ per student) covers conference admission, all meals on Thursday and Friday, lodging on Wednesday and Thursday night, and transportation to student lodging from the campus and back.

What is different about Gateway Student Conference 2023 from previous years?

This year we are excited to announce that Gateway Student Conference now includes an overnight experience in a local host home or hotel. This is built into the cost for Student Conference along with all meals on Thursday and Friday. We believe that there is greater opportunity for community and relationships to be built in an overnight experience similar to Camp. You can read more about the overnight experience below. If you have any concerns about your student staying overnight or would like to register them for the day sessions only, please reach out to our team at gwsevents@gatewaypeople.com.

What is the bag policy?

Backpacks and smaller bags are allowed onsite this year; however, please know that every time your student enters the premises their bag will be checked by our security team for safety (similar to a concert or Disney World). For Gateway Students staying overnight, we will have a bag check system for students’ luggage to be safely secured while they are in session on Wednesday night.

What should my student bring?

Please encourage your students to bring their Bible, a journal for notes and money for meal purchases onsite or conference merchandise. Depending on if your student’s lodging is at a hotel or host home, they may be asked to bring a sleeping bag and pillow. You will receive information on your student’s lodging and exactly what to bring via email 10 days prior to Gateway Student Conference.

What should my student wear?

Casual attire is recommended. The auditorium is enclosed and air-conditioned. Because the temperatures may vary, we encourage wearing jeans and layered clothing. We suggest bringing a light jacket or hoodie. On Friday afternoon your students will participate in Splash Zone. This will be an afternoon full of fun water games + activities outside for the students. We ask that students wear clothes they do not mind getting wet in on this day. We’re asking that changes of clothes are not brought as it will be difficult for 4,000 students to change at once in our bathrooms. We will provide sunscreen + towels and plenty of time to dry off. We’re so excited about all the fun we have planned for this afternoon!

When does the event begin and end?

Check-in begins on Wednesday, June 21 at 4:00 pm. Even though the first session of the conference doesn’t start until 7:00pm, we start check-in early to accommodate those travelling from out of town and those interested in avoiding lines. The conference concludes on Friday, June 23 by 10pm.

Where does Gateway Student Conference take place?

Gateway Student Conference takes place at our Southlake Campus at 700 Blessed Way, Southlake, Texas 76092.

Who can attend Gateway Student Conference 2023?

Gateway Student Conference is designed for Junior High and Senior High students (7-12th graders for the 2023-2024 school year and students who graduated high school in Spring of 2023).

Meals

What meals will be provided?

Some examples of meals we provided the past few years include BBQ sandwiches, Chick-Fil-A sandwiches, cheeseburgers and turkey sandwiches (all meals came with chips and a drink). Although we can’t guarantee specific meals, for GWSC23 we expect to serve similar meals. Unfortunately, we are not currently able to accommodate food allergies or dietary restrictions. Additional food is available for purchase at the Cafe.

Will meals be provided?

This year, lunch and dinner on both Thursday and Friday will be provided for all attendees. We ask that students come on Wednesday having already eaten. Unfortunately, due to volume we are not able to accommodate dietary restrictions. Students with dietary restrictions are welcome to bring meals. There are drinks and snacks available for purchase from the Gateway Cafe. There are also many area restaurants, but we encourage calling ahead for large groups.

Lodging

This pertains to Gateway Students and their friends only. If you are a guest church joining us for GWSC23 there will be no lodging or transportation included in your registration.

How are you keeping my student safe?

Your student’s safety is of utmost importance to us. We will have a 1 to 10 ratio or better of trained adult leader to students both at conference and overnight. Our volunteer leaders and all host home adults pass a rigorous background check and are highly vetted and trained. No adult leaders will ever be alone with students. All host homes were personally asked to be hosts by the campus pastor of your campus and provided multiple character references, went through an interview process and in person site visit by our Gateway Security team. At the hotels, we will have an on call medical team as well as Gateway Security as long as the hotel allows. Your student will be with their assigned leader anytime they are not in their room.

What is the medicine policy?

All medications (including over the counter) will be checked into our team at the start of conference. They will be administered by trained adult leaders based on the instruction you give at check in. This helps us keep your students safe and healthy!

What is the transportation for my student to and from the campus?

We are utilizing two primary methods of transportation. For students staying in host homes, we will be using 15 passenger vans driven by Gateway approved drivers who are on our insurance. For students staying at hotels, we will be using buses to move students and leaders to and from the Southlake campus.

Where will my student be staying on Wednesday and Thursday night?

Students will stay with their campus and gender for rooming assignments. They will either be staying in a host home with 9-12 other students or in a hotel near the Southlake campus with 3-4 students per room.

Will my student be with leaders the entire time they are offsite?

For students staying at a host home, there will be a minimum of 2 adult leaders of the same gender as the students in the home at all times along with the host parents. For hotels, there will be a leader assigned to 10 students and will be staying on their floor but not in the same room.

Guest Churches

Are seats assigned?

All tickets for this conference are general admission. Doors open 30 minutes prior to each session. There will be a number of seats saved for worship teams, guest speakers and large groups (40+). Any other seat-saving before the doors open is not allowed.

Can GWSC staff help attendees arrange their hotel stays and transportation?

We are unable to assist attendees with hotel and transportation arrangements.

Can I register at the door?

If the conference is NOT sold out, at-the-door registration will be accepted at the At The Door rate.

Do I have to bring students in order to participate in the Youth Pastor Track?

While we would love for you to bring the students from your youth group, it’s not required to participate in the Youth Pastor Track. Please note you will still need to purchase tickets for each adult attendee.

I am a youth leader bringing a large group. Can we request group seating?

If you bring 40 or more attendees, you qualify for reserved seating! After you register, we will send you an email to confirm that you would like to take advantage of group seating.

Is there transportation available from my hotel to the event site?

Depending on where you are staying, there may be hotel shuttle transportation available to the event site. Please ask the hotel concierge what options are available before making your reservations.

What is the Youth Pastor Track?

The Youth Pastor Track is available to guest youth pastors while your students are engaged in community groups with our staff. These sessions are an opportunity to connect with each other and receive valuable behind-the-scenes time with our Gateway Students staff and conference speakers. When it comes time to leave the conference, we want guest youth pastors to feel refreshed, encouraged, and empowered to lead their students like never before! There is no additional cost for participation in the Youth Pastor Track sessions.

What meals will be provided?

Some examples of meals we provided the past few years include BBQ sandwiches, Chick-Fil-A sandwiches, cheeseburgers and turkey sandwiches (all meals came with chips and a drink). Although we can’t guarantee specific meals, for GWSC23 we expect to serve similar meals. Unfortunately, we are not currently able to accommodate food allergies or dietary restrictions. Additional food is available for purchase at the Cafe.

What should my students wear?

Casual attire is recommended. The auditorium is enclosed and air-conditioned. Because the temperatures may vary, we encourage wearing jeans and layered clothing. We suggest bringing a light jacket or hoodie. On Friday afternoon your students will participate in Splash Zone. This will be an afternoon full of fun water games + activities outside for the students. We ask that students wear clothes they do not mind getting wet in on this day. We’re asking that changes of clothes are not brought as it will be difficult for 4,000 students to change at once in our bathrooms. We will provide sunscreen + towels and plenty of time to dry off. We’re so excited about all the fun we have planned for this afternoon!

When does the event begin and end?

Guest Church check-in begins on Wednesday, June 21 at 12:00 pm. Even though the first session of the conference doesn’t start until 7:00 pm, we start check-in early to accommodate those travelling from out of town and those interested in avoiding lines. The conference concludes on Friday, June 23 by 10pm.

Which airport should attendees fly in to?

Southlake is a short, 15-minute drive from DFW airport. Dallas Love Field is a 35-minute drive.

Why do you require all adult pastors and leaders to complete a background check?

Our heart is to take every precaution to keep the students attending Gateway Student Conference safe and provide a healthy atmosphere. As a result, we require any adult in the building to pass a background check including our staff, vendors, sponsor, volunteers and visiting youth pastors and their volunteers. Thank you for understanding and helping keep students safe.

Will meals be provided?

This year, lunch and dinner on both Thursday and Friday will be provided for all attendees. We ask that students come on Wednesday having already eaten. Unfortunately, due to volume we are not able to accommodate dietary restrictions. Students with dietary restrictions are welcome to bring meals. There are drinks and snacks available for purchase from the Gateway Cafe. There are also many area restaurants, but we encourage calling ahead for large groups.

Will there be any extra fees?

The registration fee covers conference admission and admittance to the Youth Pastor Track (for adult youth pastors). You may also want to bring additional money to purchase conference merchandise.

Will there be childcare available?

There will be no childcare available. Please make outside arrangements for children younger than 7th grade if you plan to attend GWSC.