A different sort of youth retreat

Duke Divinity School is trying something a little different than the typical youth summer camp experience in which so many church kids participate. The folks in the Duke Youth Academy for Christian Formation (DYA) are basically recreating a monastic/semarian experience.

From an article posted on the United Methodist website:

"Instead of typical youth ministry fare such as whitewater rafting or ski trips, DYA offers days that begin and end with worship and are punctuated throughout with study, work, common meals and rest. 

It’s a strange rhythm for today’s youth: 16- and 17-year-old kids hear lectures from seminary professors and work with artists as they learn to integrate art and Christian faith. They engage in local service projects and they spend time intentionally doing nothing. 

In short, for two weeks the DYA kids live something like a monastic life. 

And get this: they love it."

Read the full article here.

Posted by Nicholas Knisely on July 30, 2009 5:49 PM | |
Comments (4)

Keep in mind, this program is going to get the kids who actually go to church for church's sake, for religion's sake, not just for socializing, or because their parents expect it, or because it's just what you do on Sunday morning. What is so fantastically awesome about this, is that now the seriously religious kids HAVE a place to go that honors their commitment, intellect, curiosity, reverence, and relative spiritual maturity. Bravo, there needs to be more programs like this. I would have thoroughly enjoyed something like this when I was a kid.

Posted by Clint Davis [TypeKey Profile Page] | July 30, 2009 7:19 PM

A rich & formative experience. So like Duke Divinity!

Posted by Nancy Barnard Starr+ [TypeKey Profile Page] | July 31, 2009 7:06 AM

Back in the 50's when I was a kid I went to Methodist Youth leadership training camps run along these lines. They work. They made me into the Episcopalian I am today in part because after the camp, I couldn't find anything quite like it in the United Methodist Church. Especially the worship.

Perhaps Duke will help prepare a new generation of Episcopalians.

Posted by Paul Woodrum [TypeKey Profile Page] | July 31, 2009 10:43 AM

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