Overview

What is YTM?

As you know, there are summer volleyball camps and basketball camps. YTM is affectionately called “God camp” by many of the youth participants. YTM is a camp for high school youth who want to go deeper into understanding and living out their Catholic Christian faith. At YTM, you will take theology classes in the morning from theology professors from the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University, you will go off campus and do service learning in the afternoon, have some free time to relax, and in the evening experience a variety of Christian prayer forms. “God camp” is a time to grow in our relationship and commitment to God and the community of faith. It’s also great fun. YTM is sponsored by Saint John’s University School of Theology and Seminary in an effort to share its theological and pastoral resources with youth and adults in parishes and schools throughout the country.

How do you know if YTM if right for you? Read the following questions, if you answer any of them positively, then YTM may be just right for you.

1. Did you enjoy the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC)?
2. Have you had positive retreat or youth ministry experiences?
3. Are you interested in service and leadership connected to faith?
4. Have you experienced Region 8 Leadership camp and want more?
5. Would you like to join other youth and adults in a community of learning, faith & fun?

YTM is designed for teams of three people from a parish or high school.  The teams will include two leadership youth and one youth minister/religious education coordinator/Catholic High School teacher.  YTM is a thirteen-month process.  It begins with a two week Summer Institute where participants take a class from a theology professor, experience serving those in need, learn to develop a service leadership project back home in your parish/school, and explore a variety of prayer forms.  During the school year, the parish teams of three people will work with their parish/school to complete a service leadership project.  We will gather together for a January weekend retreat and then again in two more weeks the following summer for further theological reflection, service, and prayer.  You do not have to be part of a team of people to attend YTM. Individual youth are also welcome to attend. These youth will be teamed with mentors from their parish or from the program to assist them in developing their service/justice project.

The focus of Summer Institute I is Celebrating Our Catholic Identity.  The focus of Summer Institute II will be exploring leadership within diverse religious, cultural, and economic settings.  This program was developed in conjunction with the ten dioceses of Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota:  Region 8 of the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry.

Comments from Youth:

• YTM has been some of the greatest two weeks of my life.  I learned so much about myself and God.  I can't express my joy in words.  I have truly been blessed to have come to this camp.
• YTM has not only been the greatest time of my life, but it has changed my life for the better.
•  loved the community here.  I felt so welcome.  I learned a lot about myself and my faith.  Thank you for allowing me to have this incredible experience.
• Overall, this has been one of the best experiences of my life.  I have had so much fun.

 

Last Update: 2/7/08 CG

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Youth in Theology and Ministry Program
Saint John's School of Theology·Seminary
Box 7288, Collegeville, Minnesota 56321