Confirmation Retreat #2

Spots are still available for Confirmation Retreat #2.

Confirmation retreats through the Archdiocese offer parishes an afforable opportunity for their teens to encounter Christ, build Community, develop relationships and learn more about their call to Discipliship.

For more information or to register contact oyyamretreats@seattlearch.org

Ascend/Ascend HD Planning Team

We just wanted to remind everyone that Ascend and Ascend HD Planning begins Monday. Every youth minister is invited to attend the first planning team meeting to see if and how they can add to these ministries. Previous Ascend Staff can request an application to be on the planning team at this meeting.

The meeting begins at 11:00 am in OYYAM's living room. Lunch will be provided, so please RSVP today to Bridget Harris.

Confirmation Retreat #1

Registrations are open for our first Confirmation Retreat of the year. The retreat will be held at Camp Don Bosco the weekend of December 4-6, 2009. Early registration is open until November 15, 2009.



This retreat is designed for high school aged youth who are preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation. Please remember that these retreats fill up quickly.



If you have any questions please feel free to contact Bridget Harris.

Download Registration Form

Young Adult Retreats

We are excited to announce that planning is in the works for two Young Adult Retreats coming up. First, the Young Adult Lenten Retreat will allow participants to begin the Lenten season focused on prayer and growing in their relationship with Christ. Led by Father Dolejsi, the retreat will include presentations, time for individual reflection, conversation, prayer, and more. It will take place at Camp Hamilton, in Monroe. The cost of the retreat is $60.00, which includes two nights of lodging and meals. Scholarships are available. The retreat will take place February 26th-28th, 2010. Contact oyyamretreats@seattlearch.org to sign up now!


Secondly, another retreat for young adults is in the works for the spring, time and place TBD. The retreat, Fueling the Fire, will focus on bringing new life to participant’s relationship with Christ and the way they live out their faith. More information to come! Stay tuned!

Ascend Planning Team meeting - Nov 16

The first planning team meeting for Ascend will be November 16. We will be planning both Ascend and Ascend HD during these meetings. Please email Bridget for more information about possible roles, commitment or to get the time of this initial meeting. If you are interested in helping plan these two leadership camps or would like more information about the planning team, email Bridget at bridget.harris@seattlearch.org.

Ascend 2010: July 6-10: Camp Hamilton
Ascend HD 2010: June 22-26: Camp Gallagher

Staff applications will be available at the planning meeting.

Ascend Planning Team

The Ascend directors are currently putting together the planning team for Ascend and Ascend HD. The first planning team meeting will be a week or so after convention. If you are interested in helping plan these two leadership camps, email Bridget at bridget.harris@seattlearch.org to request more information about the planning team or staffing Ascend.

Staff applications will be available later this week so check back for a downloadable version.

Summer Leadership Camp Dates Set

The dates have now been set for the leadership camps of 2010. This year OYYAM is excited to offer several new opportunities in addition to our traditional camps.

Check back regularly for updates about leadership experiances, and registration forms as they become available.

Go to the Leadership Development Page for more information.

SEARCH Retreat 2009

Registration is open for this fall's SEARCH retreat for teens in grades 9-12. The retreat will take place at Camp Don Bosco on October 2nd through the 4th.

This retreat is designed to give teens the opportunity to examine and develop their relationship with God, with one another, their families, and with their wider community. There will be prayer sessions, talks on a variety of topics relevant to teens and their faith, and fun games and activities. Everyone will attend Mass and share meals together. It is our hope that this retreat will inspire participants to build a personal relationship with Christ so that they can share their faith with their friends, family, and community.

Send an email to oyyamretreats@seattlearch.org to Register.

First Middle School Retreat

OYYAM's Retreat Ministry Team just finished their first middle school retreat yesterday. St. John's 8th grade spent the day reflecting on Christian Friendship and building a strong community.

We are looking forward to next week when we have two more middle school retreats.

Middle School Retreats

Summer has come to a close and the Retreat Team is preparing for a busy fall. We are currently scheduling retreats for the fall for many local Catholic Schools and our schedules are filling quickly.

If you are interested in learning more about our middle school retreat offerings, click on Catholic School retreats on the right. Or check our availability using the calendar on the right.

With any questions or to schedule a retreat, contact Bridget Harris.

Camp 4:12 complete.

The service team and I just spent three days at Camp Don Bosco with about 50 youth from around the Archdiocese for Camp 4:12, the annual leadership camp for leaders in our parish communities. It was a fantastic week, and we had the opportunity to watch these youth engage in a deeper learning of Christian leadership and what that calls us to in parish life.
Participants experienced great talks, powerful prayer and learned a lot about how to be a better leader. Free time was filled with horseback riding, swimming in the pool, hiking the trails and just relaxing in the sun. Overall this was a wonderful experience for the teens and us.
Look for next year’s dates soon and think about sending a team off your leaders to this or any of our leadership camps.

Reminder: Camp 4:12 Registration Deadline July 17th

Next week marks the one month mark before Camp 4:12. Which means registrations are due by the 19th. If your parish is sending a group be sure to send those in as soon as possible to ensure you have spots at this year’s event.


Every year Camp 4:12 is full of energy, passion and excitement as our junior high leaders gather for 3 days. Hopefully your parish can join us at Camp Don Bosco from August 17-19th for this powerful exploration of what it means to be a leader and a disciple of Christ.

For more information contact Bridget Harris or Download Additional Registration Forms.

Ascend 2009: Extreme Makeover Disciple Edition

Ascend 2009 has concluded and what an amazing week of prayer, leadership, fun and community. The 100 youth who participated gave greatly to the event with their spirit and commitment. Each of them showed why his/her parish/school identified them as possible leaders. Thank you to everyone on staff, all of our presenters and each participant who made Ascend 2009 a wonderful experience.
For those participants in the 12th grade interested in remaining on our contact list as possible staff in 2011 please email Bridget Harris.
See you all for Ascend 2010.

Ascend: Message from the Director

We are a week away from an amazing gathering of Catholic High School Youth Leaders from all around Western Washington. Pack your bags, water bottle, and flashlight and don’t forget your bug juice! This year’s theme – Extreme Makeover: Disciple’s Edition will invite all participants to take part in a renovation of leadership! This week will be filled with amazing speakers including Sr. Miriam Heidland, Casey Ross and Tauno Latvala as well as dynamic workshop presenters! Our hope is that the week strengthens our high school leaders understanding of discipleship and their call to share their God given gifts with their parish communities as well as the larger community!

After a week at ASCEND I always walk away re-energized and hope-filled for our young church. We have a great staff who is dedicated to serving God and ministering with youth! It is always a blessing to be a part of the great energy (from both the participants & staff), creativity, and to witness the depth of love that all have for God and our faith. I look forward to seeing “old faces” and meeting “new” ones!

…to equip the holy ones for the work of ministry, for building up the Body of Christ… -Ephesians 4:12

PS – Calling all Youth Ministers and Youth Ministry Coordinators who will be sending youth to ASCEND: You are invited to join us for a special dinner planned and put on by the youth. Come share a meal and witness “leadership-in-action” as well as check-in with your students about their experience! This special dinner will be Thursday, July 2nd at 5 pm (please contact us for directions and more information).

Joy Galvez
Ascend Director

Ascend Registration

Ascend Registration closed on Monday, and we are now in late registration time where spots are still available on a first come first served basis. We are excited for the 90+ teens who have registered for this year’s Ascend. This week of leadership training is focusing on the leadership of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, and how we are called to build the Church as Disciples of Christ.

Today the staff gathers one last time before Ascend to prepare and get everything together. We look forward to seeing everyone at Ascend 2009 in 11 days.

For more information about Ascend or any of our other leadership development programs visit the Leadership Development Blog.

Search Retreat Date Set

OYYAM is pleased to announce that we will be offering a Search model retreat for High School Youth in the Fall of 2009.
After pulling youth ministers from around the Archdiocese it was determined that, this retreat will take place on October 2-4 at Camp Don Bosco. Cost is $55 per person for 2 nights and all meals.
Search is a well established retreat format designed to help teens encounter Christ, develop community and share their experience of faith.
For more information contact Bridget Harris or look for more information in the upcoming E-newsletter and more blog posts.