Summer Camp All Staff Day at Gallagher

Yesterday marked the All Staff Day for all of our wonderful Summer Camp staff members! It was successfully held at Camp Gallagher where they were all able to bond and finalize details for camp programming. Those that needed it completed their Safe Environment training which is required and essential to having a safe camping experience when working with children. They were also trained on the policies and procedures of being a camp staff member and were given all the information and tools to be successful with CYO! Let us keep all of our staff members in our prayers that they may be a positive influence to our campers and that they may portray the joy of Christ in all their interactions. Have a great summer staff members and thank you for all you do!

ASCEND Starts Today!

Let us keep all the ASCEND 2009 youth participants and staff in our prayers as they begin their week of developing strong leadership skills and experiencing Christ in their life. May they be blessed to form new friendships, learn new skills to help their community and strengthen their Catholic faith! The Office for Youth & Young Adult Ministry is so proud of all of the participants in their desire to grow in their faith and learn ways to share that faith with others. We hope that they make memories that will last a lifetime and that they have a wonderful time at Sunny Camp Hamilton!

CMD Courses End, Spots Still Available for Next Courses

Both the Evangelization & Catechesis and the Pastoral Care CMD Courses end today, however the 3rd and 4th classes of Year 2 still have spots. Those 2nd Year courses are Course #3: July 20-21, 2009 - Prayer & Worship and Course #4: July 22-23, 2009 - Justice & Service.

The Center for Ministry Development has developed the most comprehensive Catholic Youth Ministry training program in North America. This program is designed for those in ministry with youth, ages 11 to 18 in both parish and school settings. It equips leaders with the knowledge, skills, practical tools and techniques needed for creative and comprehensive ministry with youth.

Please contact Tauno Latvala at 206.382.2019 to register or for more information! You can also download the brochure HERE and the Registration Form HERE.

Reminder - Attend the Fall Gathering!

The Annual Fall Gathering is going to be on September 9 - 10 (Wednesday & Thursday) at the Palisades. Wednesday will be the New Ministers Orientation co-sponsored with the Office of Catholic Faith Formation and will include resources such as an overview of Diocesan Policies, Chancery contact information and other helpful resources to get you started in your ministry. After this will be the Wednesday night Social - a fun time not to be missed!

Thursday will be the Fall Gathering for all Youth and Young Adult Ministers and those involved in these ministries. This is the largest gathering of the year for Y&YA ministers and it is a great way to meet new people and learn about how our office can help you in your ministry! We will have a well known speaker in attendance and will address and answer any questions about the new structure of ACCY which will be a key agenda item. There will be lots of important information that you wont want to miss out on. Both days will range from 9 AM - 6 PM with lunch and coffee service included. Stay tuned for more information and how to RSVP as the event approaches. Post it on your calendars!

Outdoor Ministry Staff Training Begins

Outdoor Ministry Staff Training begins today! Let us keep the staff members and trainers in our prayers as they prepare for a wonderful summer of Catholic youth camp programing! With new day camp programs in addition to regular overnight progaming, we have more staff members that we are blessed to work and train with. Thank you for coming out to work with us!

CYO Day Camp

CYO Summer Camp is excited to announce our brand new Day Camp program! Running Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm at Camp Don Bosco, Day Camp will offer all of the traditional CYO activities with a new theme each week. It is open for campers grades 1-8, with smaller groups divided by age. It is the perfect opportunity to experience camp for the very first time or in an entirely new way! Transportation from Seattle, Bellevue, and Renton and scholarships are available.
Click HERE for more information!

Reaching New Heights Campaign

Reaching New Heights Campaign Extended to July 15th
Camp Hamilton's old high ropes course, which is a vital part of our programming, will not be useable this summer. We've already raised $2,255 toward the new course as of June 15th. We need of your help to fundraise the additional $1,800 for a new Vertical Playpen Element. $5, $10, $15, or $50 any amount helps! Over 500 campers will experience the new element this summer alone. This element will help teach campers cooperation, goal setting, and problem solving. The highest fundraising team or page will get to name the new element. Anyone who donates over $100 will get recognized on a plaque at the course.

Find out more about and donate to the New Heights Campaign!

Reminder: ONE Week Beginning July 12

ONE Week is a 6 day, 5 night service learning program for students in the 7th-12th grades. The experienced team leading ONE Week provides the learning and reflection needed to transform a week of service into an experience of discipleship.

For more information about ONE Week, visit the ONE Week Blog or email Tauno Latvala for site information and registration information.

ASCEND Registration Forms Due Today

REMINDER: Today is the last day to turn in your ASCEND Registration Forms. All late registrations postmarked after today will be charged a $25 late fee. Please mail the forms with payment to:
OYYAM Attn: ASCEND Registration
710 - Ninth Ave
Seattle, WA 98104

Download Additional Registration Forms Here
or click HERE to be redirected to the Leadership Development Page of the Youth Ministry Blog for more information on this Retreat. Thank you and feel free to call our office at 206.382.4562 if you have any questions!

Spaces still available in Certificate in Youth Ministry Studies classes

Spaces are still available for year 2 courses in the Center for Ministry Development’s Certificate in Youth Ministry Studies program, next week.

The Certificate in Youth Ministry Studies is a ministry education program for those in ministry with youth in both parish and school settings. It equips leaders with the knowledge, skills, practical tools and techniques needed for creative and comprehensive ministry with youth.

This program is designed for persons involved professionally or as volunteers with adolescents. The potential audience for the program includes: coordinators of youth ministry, directors of religious education, youth ministry volunteer leaders, junior high leaders, high school campus ministers, teachers, clergy, university students and seminarians.

This year the Archdiocese of Seattle is sponsoring the second year courses, which focus on fostering the faith growth of youth through evangelization and catechesis, prayer and worship, justice and service, and pastoral care.

The Certificate program is utilized in a number of ways:

• as an integrated formation program leading to a Certificate in Youth Ministry Studies
• as an enrichment or continuing education program for veteran leaders
• as a workshop series which can be taken on a course-by-course basis by professional or volunteer leaders

The following classes still have spots available:

• June 22-23: Pastoral Care
• June 24-25: Evangelization and Catechesis
• July 20-21: Justice and Service
• July 22-23: Prayer and Worship

For more information about this class visit the CMD website or contact Tauno Latvala.

Congrats CYO Baseball!

Congratulations CYO Baseball Champs! Click HERE to find out who won!

Rally 2010

The Junior High Rally 2010 date has been set!
Rally is a one-day event that provides an experience of Church through dynamic speakers, powerful liturgy, challenging workshops, and many opportunities to meet and socialize with other Junior High youth.

Click HERE to find out when and where! We hope to see you there!

Nurses Needed at CYO Camps

If you or someone you know is qualified and interested in being a nurse at the CYO Camps, please get in touch with Jamie Fredrickson for Camp Don Bosco and/or Megan Raymond for Camp Hamilton. Both can be reached at 206.382.4562 or emailed via the hyperlink provided on their names. Nurses will gain excellent experience overseeing the health and safety of campers and staff. They will receive a stipend as well as a reduced camp fee for up to 2 children.

Minimum Qualifications
• Licensed in Washington State as a registered nurse (or other appropriate training as approved by the camp physician - such as EMTs, Paramedics, etc.)
• Experience with children and young adults desirable
• Ability to originate, update, and /or monitor health care, maintain records, and implement the health care plan
• Current CPR and First Aid certifications
• Desire to work and live in a Catholic camp community

Dates for nurses needed at Camp Don Bosco:
July 13 - 18
July 27 - August 1

Please call Megan for Camp Hamilton dates. Join us for a great summer!

Register for Nanamakee!!

There are still spots available to register for the Nanamakee Expeditions!

The sessions that still have room are:
Session 1 - Norseboat Sailing Trip (July 2 - 10)
Session 4 - Kayak the Puget sound (August 2 - 10)
Session 5 - Canoe exploration (August 15 - 23)

Nanamakee is designed for high school youth, but are limited to 8 - 10 people each session. Every year, CYO staff dream about exciting new trips which open doors to some of the Northwest's most spectacular natural beauty. All trips are led by trained and experienced leaders. Contact Debbie Fisher at 206.382.4591 for more information and to register!

ACCY & Ascend Reminder

Reminder: For those wishing to be on ACCY in the 2009-2010 year, the Ascend application deadline has been extended to Monday, June 15th, 2009. If you are a Parish Priest, Pastoral Coordinator or Youth Minister, please consider sending 2-3 high school age delegates from your parish who you identify as strong Catholic leaders and potential candidates for the Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Youth.

If you or someone from your parish is interested in being a part of ACCY, Ascend is highly recommended. If he/she would like to be a regional representative for your region, she/he is required to attend Ascend 2009.

If you have any questions about Ascend or ACCY please email Bridget Harris or call 206.382.4562. Thank you!

Wednesday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time

Today's Psalm Verse is:
"To you, O Lord, I lift my soul."
Ps 25:2-3, 4-5ab, 6 and 7bc, 8-9

Blessed John XXIII (1881-1963)
Throughout his life, Angelo Roncalli cooperated with God’s grace, believing that the job at hand was worthy of his best efforts. His sense of God’s providence made him the ideal person to promote a new dialogue with Protestant and Orthodox Christians, as well as with Jews and Muslims. In the sometimes noisy crypt of St. Peter’s Basilica, many people become silent on seeing the simple tomb of Pope John XXIII, grateful for the gift of his life and holiness. After the beatification, his tomb was moved into the basilica itself.

Pastoral Assistant for Youth Ministry at St. Joseph Parish in Issaquah

St Joseph Parish in Issaquah is accepting applications for a full-time Youth Minister to direct their Middle/High School youth program, participate in the Young Adult ministry and serve as chaplain to their Catholic Middle School students. Excellent communication, organizational and interpersonal skills required, theological training appreciated. Successful candidate will be responsible for confirmation program, faith formation education program, retreats, community service projects and social activities involving the parish community. Salary and benefits dependent upon experience and education. For application packet contact Parish Office at 425-392-5516 or email office@sjcissaquah.org.