Youth Retreats
The challenge of a retreat is to help young people reflect on their lives and to discover God’s presence within their experiences. It is also an opportunity to get away from the everyday routine of our lives, in order to reflect on who we are and how we fit in with others. Retreats can help participants experience Church as fun, communal, and liturgical.
In planning a retreat, involve young people and parents as well as church staff. A group leader will be needed for every small group of 6 to 8 people. Whenever possible, it is better to hold the retreat at a retreat facility that has meeting areas, recreation opportunities, and staff the youth will find helpful. In addition to scheduling the event at a site, it is important to arrange transportation for teens to and from the parish. Permission slips should provide all necessary information, including a list of supplies teens are expected to bring with them.
Carefully attend to details. Given a sense of order and purpose, participants will be more inclined to share fully in the experience. Clear expectations and behavioral guidelines for retreat participants assure both the teens and their parents or guardians that the retreat team has positive expectations and that the welfare of participants is important.
|
Links
National Catholic Youth Ministry
Catholic Campus Ministry Assoc.
Books
Connect Junior High - Program Director's Manual
Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725).
ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-00928-2
Quick Takes - Rituals & Retreats
by Robert W. Piercy, Jean E. Bross, and Dirk de Vries
Available through Living the Good News, 1999
Junior High Prayer Services by Themes and Seasons
Available through twenty-Third Publications
Ready-to-Go Game Shows...that teach serious stuff
Available through Ave Maria Press, 2002
Music
"Jesus Give Us Your Peace," "With Hope and Healing" (Meditation Track)
BLEST ARE WE Music CD 7-8
Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725).
ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36394-9
BLEST ARE WE Song Book
Words and melody for grades 1-8
ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36617-4
BLEST ARE WE Accompaniment Book
Contains accompaniment music for grades 1-8
ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36618-2
|
|
|
