Ascend and Ascend HD

Planning Teams are finalizing details for this year’s High School Leadership Camps. We are excited for this summer and all the opportunities for youth to grow as Catholic Leaders for their parishes and schools.
Ascend HD for incoming Juniors and Seniors will take place at beautiful Camp Gallagher from June 23rd to June 27th. Spots are limited to 64 people and they are filling quickly so please register soon.
Ascend 2010 for incoming Freshmen and Sophomores is July 6th-10th 2010 at Camp Hamilton.
We are also accepting applications for staff members to apply.
The registration deadline for each of these is June 3rd. For more information visit our website at http://leadership.seattleoyyam.org/ or contact Bridget Harris at bridget.harris@seattlearch.org

One Week Update

Looking for an opportunity for your youth to serve their community this summer? Do you need a program that is local, affordable and well-established in the Seattle Archdiocese?

We are offering the ONE Week program in various towns and cities throughout the summer. Groups of Junior High or Senior High students and their leaders can experience a local community and learn about and serve the special needs in that community. The schedule is filling up quickly, so please send your registration in as soon as possible.

Junior High
July 18-23 Hoquiam
August 1-6 Forks Full
August 8-13 Everett Full
August 15-20 Seattle

Senior High
July 11-16 Forks
July 25-30 Seattle Full
August 1-6 Hoquiam
August 8-13 Bellingham

If you are at all interested in any of these weeks, please email Britta.folden@seattlearch.org to tell of your potential interest in a certain week. Those weeks with low or no interest may be cancelled, so it is important to know if you are interested. We will re-evaluate sites on May 3rd and those with low numbers may be cancelled so we can give parishes and staff appropriate notice.

OYYAM YouTube

OYYAM's YouTube channel is now up and running with the first videos, including the Convention, Rally, Ascend and Challenge Course videos for you to view. Check back on this channel regularly for videos of events and to stay connected with programs and services as the office offers them.

Subscribe to our channel at :http://www.youtube.com/user/seattleoyyam

Young Adult Service Team Applications

Today marks the deadline for Young Adult Service Team Applications for next year. We are excited to meet all the potential members and potentially have the largest team in our history. We have some really promising applications already and have completed a number of interviews, and offered a few positions. Please pray for the young adults discerning this year long commitment to serving in our Archdiocese.

Strong Catholic Families: Strong Catholic Youth

OYYAM is happy to announce that the Strong Catholic Families: Strong Catholic Youth Program is coming to Seattle. This three part in-service is facilitated by NFCYM (the same people who bring you NCYC) , and is designed to equip trainers to work with families in their parish on building strong Catholic Families. Region Reps will be soliciting field staff to assist in training families and attend this training. We will announce the dates in the next few weeks, but look for more information on the website and blog.
Learn more by contacting your region representative or reading this sample program.

Youth and Young Adult Ministers Retreat

Save the Date for the annual Youth and Young Adult Ministers Retreat on June 1-3rd at Far Away Retreat Center.

Cost is $50 per person please contact your region rep with any questions you may have.

CMD Certificate Program

Just a reminder to everyone that the CMD Certificate in Youth Ministry Studies Program is scheduled for April 24-25th in the OYYAM offices. To learn more about the program, visit http://seattleoyyam.org/?page_id=1987. If you went to class one, or are interested in starting the program contact your region rep for more information. Each region has limited scholarships available for those wishing to go.

Challenge Course Facilitators needed

OYYAM is hosting training on the new High Ropes at Camp Hamilton this Friday and Saturday. We need 2-3 people, who are looking for a way to supplement their income through weekend work. If you or someone from your parish feels called to support this leadership development program please contact Bridget at bridget.harris@seattlearch.org.

Calendaring for next year?

Calendaring for next year? Don't forget to check OYYAM's calendar for important dates such as Youth Convention, Retreat Offerings, Leadership Camp Dates, and all your gatherings. You can check just the information you want on each ministry specific calendar or get all of OYYAM's scheduled events and programs at our main department calendar.

For questions about any programs or events be sure to check the website at http://seattleoyyam.org.

Challenge Course Update

After this weekend, the new challenge course at Camp Hamilton will officially be offered to groups. Several of our staff will be out for training on this new equipment and the first 3 groups are scheduled to use the equipment in May.
The dedication of this new course is also scheduled for May 22nd. Look for more information about everything this new course offers under challenge learning at http://seattleoyyam.org. To inquire about availability for your group contact Bridget Harris at bridget.harris@seattlearch.org

Frances Farrel

It is with mixed feelings that the Office for Youth and Young Adult Ministry announces that Frances Farrell has discerned leaving her position as a Director in our office. Frances accepted the position of Pastoral Assistant for Administration at St. Joseph Church in Vancouver and will begin there on April 19th.

Over the past 6 years Frances has overseen, Youth Convention, Junior High Rally, One Week, countless service trips, Young Adult Ministry including the Young Adult Conference and most recently Outdoor Ministry and Hispanic Youth and Young Adult Ministry. Prior to that she served in many other roles at the Chancery.

Although Frances will be missed at the office, we wish her well as she moves into her next ministry. Please join us in sending Frances to her new job with the prayers and support of this community.