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.

Retreat Ministry - Become a Young Adult Service Team Member!

We want you!
Are you a practicing Catholic in good standing with the Church who is a young adult between the ages of 21-29 looking for a year-long service internship in Retreat Ministry? The Archdiocese of Seattle is currently accepting applications for this ministry area of our Young Adult Service Team!

Have you had a great retreat experiences as a youth or young adult? Are you creative about sharing spirituality with youth and young adults? As a member of the Impact Retreat Team, you will have the opportunity to promote, plan and lead retreats for parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Seattle. Youth and Young Adult retreat offerings may include Confirmation, Marriage Preparation, Preparing for High School, Young Adult Lenten Retreat, Relationship Retreat, Search and many more!

Team members live in community and work in a variety of internships within the Office for Youth and Young Adult Ministry. Interns will be provided opportunities to work in all aspects of ministry for youth and young adults, in this case, specifically in Retreat Ministry. Team members receive lodging, food, monthly stipend, and health insurance stipend in addition to training and formation. This opportunity provides hands-on ministry experience in a supportive environment.

If you would like to learn more or have any other questions at all, please contact Frances Farrell at frances.farrell@seattlearch.org, or call 206.382.4562. To Apply, click on the Young Adult Service Team blog and then on the Application link on the right and mail it to:
OYYAM
Attn: YAST Application
710 - Ninth Ave
Seattle, WA 98104

Applications are due on Monday, July 6th, 2009 to our Office. Thank you, may God bless you in your discernment process and we hope to hear from YOU!

Last Middle School Retreats for 2008-2009 School Year

Servando and I just returned from leading the last of our Middle School Retreats. We could not have asked for nicer weather to hold a chunk of the retreat outside. This was a great way to end the year with a small class from Saint Joseph School.
We are looking forward to next year, and already scheduling retreats for the beginning of the year. If you are interested in scheduling a retreat next year please email oyyamretreats@seattlearch.org with questions or click on Catholic School Retreats for more information on specific offerings and prices.
Thanks for a great school year of retreats.

Ascend Staff Gatherings

Ascend is offically 27 days away and the staff is busy working on getting ready.

The following staff gatherings are scheduled:
· All Staff Gathering: June 10th from 6-9 PM at St. Nicholas in Gig Harbor
· Ascend Work Party: June 17th from 10 am to 4 pm or done in the OYYAM Offices
· All Staff: June 28th

Summit 2009

Planning is well underway for Summit 2009. This is a new offering for Catholic Middle School Student Leaders to come develop concrete leadership skills, improve the skills they have already and build Christian Community.



We already have several schools interested in sending their students, and are excited for what seems like a good group from around the Archdiocese. If your school is interested in learning more about this program, email Bridget Harris, or download registration forms to give to your students.

Ascend 2009 Reminders

Ascend 2009 is scheduled for June 29-July 3, but as we get closer we want to keep you up to date with a few reminders.
· Registrations have started arriving for Ascend 2009 and the deadline of June 2nd is quickly approaching.
· Applications for Ascend Staff are currently being accepted, if you are or know an interested young adult who would like to be a part of this experience, please download the Staff Application Form.
· If you have already registered your group you will be getting you confirmation letter in the next few days.

St. Madeleine Sophie

Yesterday Servando and I spent the day at Saint Madeleine Sophie with their 8^th grade class, once again leading the Next Step: Journey to High School Retreat in an all day format. The students were great and we had a very good experience walking with this class toward High School.

Junior High Student Parent Retreat

We just finished the first ever Junior High Student Parent Retreat this past weekend at Camp Hamilton. It was a great experience for everyone who attended. Parents were given a chance to spend a day with their teens enjoying camp and sharing a unique experience.
We often read the evaluations from a weekend and are surprised at how much more meaningful the weekend was then we even thought. This weekend was no exception.
Some of the comments from this weekend include:
“This weekend allowed my daughter and I to dialogue openly and share our honest opinions.”
“The format and location of the retreat is super.”
“This experience gives us a stronger foundation as a family.”
Congratulations to Maryelyn and Aires on a fantastic experience, and getting this program started on the right foot. Thank you to both of them for all the work they put into the weekend. We are looking forward to having this retreat again next Spring.

Camp 4:12 Planning Underway

Preparations have begun for this year’s Camp 4:12 at its new location at Camp Don Bosco from August 17-19. This annual Junior High Leadership Experience teaches 7th- 9th graders what it means to be a Christian Disciple, and follow Christ’s example of servant leadership.

For 3 days teens experience powerful prayer, presentations and hands on skill building, while building fellowship and strengthening community with their parish and the wider Church.

Staff is needed to help make this event happen. If you would like to be involved as a chaperone, presenter or small group leader contact Bridget Harris. To send your parish, download a registration form or request additional paper copies.

Ascend is just around the corner

Tomorrow the Ascend Planning Team met for the last time before the entire staff convenes later this month. We are all excited for Ascend this year, with the theme Extreme Makeover: Disciples Edition. Finishing off the year of Saint Paul, we hope Ascend will form disciples ready to energetically and faithfully lead their parishes when they return.
Ascend is scheduled to take place at Camp Hamilton, June 29- July 3. Ascend often fills quickly so get your parish registered soon.
For more information about Ascend email Bridget Harris, or download a registration form.

Junior High Student Parent Retreat this weekend

We at the Office for Youth and Young Adult Ministry are excited for this weekend when multiple families arrive at Camp Hamilton for the first ever Student Parent Retreat. Hopefully the sun is out and Lake Hannon is refreshing and enjoyable for everyone as we gather for prayer, reflection and fun.

If you are a family coming this weekend please come prepared for any weather including rain gear.

We look forward to seeing you this weekend.

St. John’s retreat

We finished the retreat for St. John’s 8th grade this evening with a campfire and a wonderful prayer experience. This retreat is one of my favorite because it is always a great privilege to listen and watch as students make this important transition. One of the most moving parts of this experience is the closing prayer, in which the students offer prayers for one another in the future and in thanksgiving for their time together. With at least 4 more of these retreats this month, we are filling our schedule.

Today the students came to Camp Don Bosco and spent the morning reflecting about their friendships and their time together. We spent the afternoon on the challenge course helping them develop skills needed moving forward, like trust, communication, commitment and problem solving.

Next Step: Journey to High School

Like so many others right now, we began the rush to graduation this morning. Monday is our first Next Step: Journey to High School Retreat of the year. We host forty-five 8th graders from Saint John School at Camp Don Bosco for an extended day retreat to begin a busy week of retreats. Right now our schedule is filling up with this retreat and several others already scheduled for the end of the year.

2009-2010 Confirmation Retreat Dates

Below are the dates for the 2009-2010 Confirmation Retreats.

We just want to remind everyone to register early to make sure you get the date you want or are able to attend.

View the Confirmation Retreat Page for more information about specifics and for resources about Confirmation as they become available.

1: December 4-6 at Camp Don Bosco (early registration November 15)

2: January 15-17 at Camp Don Bosco (early registration December 15)

3: February 5-7 at Camp Don Bosco (early registration January 5)

4: February 19-21 at Camp Don Bosco (early registration January 19, limited to 80 people)

5: March 12-14 at Camp Hamilton (early registration February 12)

6: March 26-28 at Camp Hamilton (early registration February 26)

7: April 16-18 at Camp Hamilton (early registration March 16)

8: April 30-May 2 at Camp Hamilton (early registration March 30)

Confirmation Retreat 2010

Confirmation Retreats are now scheduled for the 2009-2010 school year. Please visit the calendar to see this and all of our retreats as they are finalized.

These retreats are a great opportunity for you to supplement your parish Confirmation Program and provide a retreat for your teens. We expanded the offerings this year, so we now offer 8 retreats beginning in early December and running until late April.

Registration forms will be available soon online or your can request them by emailing us. To learn more about these retreats follow the tab on the right and check back regularly for updated information.

Junior High Student Parent Retreat

We wanted to remind everyone that spots are still available on the upcoming Junior High Student Parent Retreat. This retreat will be hosted at Camp Hamilton on May 8-9th. Maryelyn Scholz will be leading this dynamic weekend of fun, reflection and relaxation for parents and teens. For more information, visit our Family Ministry page or email.

Improving Camp Hamilton

For anybody who has come to Camp Hamilton recently, the condition of the road was a concern. But after several weeks of construction those roads are remarkably better.

This past weekend we headed to camp for a Hispanic Young Adult Retreat and were amazed at the new condition of the roads. The potholes have all been filled in and leveled and several other improvements are underway.

Hopefully when we return next weekend for the final Confirmation Retreat of this year, we will find even more improvements to Camp.

Preparing for the end of the School Year

As the end of the school year approaches, the retreat team’s schedule is filling up quickly. May and June promise to keep us busy and out at Catholic Schools all over the Archdiocese.

One of the many retreats we offer to Middle School students, through our Middle School Retreat Program, is the “Next Step: Journey to High School Retreat.” We are currently scheduling for that retreat and several other year end retreats.

To see more of the retreats we offer for Catholic Schools and youth groups go to our Catholic School Retreats tab. You can also schedule a retreat, or check our availability through the blog.

Final Confirmation Retreat - Coming Up!!

We just returned from another Confirmation Retreat, this one at Sunny Camp Hamilton, which lived up to its name this time around. It was great to welcome spring as part of the experience. After reading the evaluations it is clear, the 119 participants really enjoyed the warmth and sunshine, as well as the overall environment of Camp Hamilton.
We now move into final planning for the final Confirmation Retreat, May 1-3 of this year and finalizing the 2010 dates. There are still spots available on that retreat, so if your parish still needs a retreat e-mail us to schedule your group.
Check our Calendar for the newest dates for Confirmation Retreats in 2009-2010.

Welcome to the new Retreat Ministry blog!

We encourage you to bookmark this page (http://www.seattleoyyam.org/) or subscribe to the updates on this or any other page, to ensure you always have the most updated information from our office.

All the blogs hope to accomplish several things:

• Communicate the most accurate and updated information to people as possible.
• Make important information and resources available easily and effectively.
• Help people connect to the ministries offered through OYYAM
• Provide resources to youth and young adult ministers as they become available.

In order to do this you will find two types of links. Links that navigate through the blog providing information and updates, and links that send you back to the appropriate location on the Archdiocesan web page.

If you find something not working, or have suggestions for how to improve the page, please e-mail them Bridget Harris. Although the blog is mostly up, we will have a few pages with errors and inactive links until all the content is developed.As this site develops, we hope it helps everyone find the information they need here and on the main Archdiocese website. We will move more content to this as time goes on, so be sure to use http://www.seattleoyyam.org/ as your new first stop for updated information from OYYAM.

Confirmation Retreat – Update

Confirmation Retreats for the 2009 fiscal year are filling quickly. April’s retreat is at capacity, as were the January, February and March retreats. Spots remain for the May 1-3 retreats, although we recommend you register your group soon to ensure enough spots are left.
Check back in a few weeks for next year’s finalized Confirmation Retreat Dates.

As this and all our blog's begin please bring any errors or malfunctioning links to our attention by e-mailing Bridget Harris.

UNDER INTENSE CONSTRUCTION

Hello! We are just writing to let you know that our blog is under intense construction and will hopefully be finished soon! We hope to have all OYYAM blogs up and running on April 1st. Until then, please visit our main Archdiocesan site at: http://www.seattlearch.org/OYYAM. Thank you for your patience and we hope to see you soon!