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Field guide coming soon

Want to start one where you are? Start by talking to Amy.

Talk to Amy

(A way to get certified is on the way, too. Until then, every new crew starts with a conversation with Amy.)

01Talk to Amy

Talk to Amy.

Tell her where you’d like to start one and a little about you. She’ll write back within two business days.

Amy Mays with four student leaders, arms around each other, laughing Amy laughing as she talks with a student on the deck under the pergola
Amy MaysStarted Happy Crew · Lone Tree, ColoradoOr text her, 303-916-1515
Where
You are

Want to help it grow instead? Give

02What it takes

“You don’t need a building, a budget, a degree, or a curriculum you bought. You need a safe place, a regular night, a little food, and a handful of teenagers you’re willing to love without condition.”

Amy Mays
  • One caring adultWho shows up every week
  • A regular place and nightThe same, every week
  • A few teenagersStart with the ones around you
  • FoodEven pizza and a folding table
  • A background checkFor every adult, every crew

Alums have already started one at college, and at work. Their stories

03A first look at the field guide

“If you hold onto that and stay flexible on everything else, you have a Happy Crew.”

Amy Mays

Hold onto these

  • You matter, you belong
  • Students hold the mic, and plan every night
  • Teens leading teens, real life, real time
  • The same night, time and place, every week
  • Friend groups split up, so everyone meets someone
  • Owning your words
  • Confidentiality and no gossip (anything about safety goes to an adult)
  • An adult who never lets a leader carry a crisis alone

Stay flexible on these

  • The topics and tools
  • The games
  • The food
  • The stickers
  • How each leader runs their group
  • The parties
  • The size: start with five, grow to thirty-five
  • The order of the year