This retreat targets students as they start to “find their place” in high school and as a young adult. Students explore the different masks people wear, and the harm that can be caused by living behind a mask. Through discussion on self esteem, and by realizing their God-given talents, teens learn to discard their masks and love in themselves the image and likeness of God.
Key elements:
· Presentation on the masks we wear, and the consequences of wearing them
· Individual activity to create a symbolic representation of masks that each one wears
· Presentation on self esteem, and personal activity focused on realizing your gifts
This retreat asks sophomores to identify their image of Jesus, and then strives to broaden their understanding of Him. Jesus relationship as a friend is emphasized as we encourage teens to identify more with Jesus, and to make a commitment to walk more closely in his footsteps in their daily life.
Key elements:
· Presentation of images of Jesus, including appropriate video clips
· Small Group discussion of role of faith in our lives currently
· Witness to finding Jesus in daily life
· Small group discussion of scripture that particularly illustrates their image of Jesus
This retreat helps teens to recognize the forms of violence in our culture and our individual lives, and highlights our call to respond to this violence in a loving and peaceful manner.
Key elements:
· Presentation, including video clips and statistics, portraying different forms of violence
· Small group discussions and activity on concrete ways to promote peace
· Personal witness and instruction on how to be a peacemaker
Realizing that senior year is a time of transition and change, this retreat helps to prepare participants for those choices they will soon be making. They are asked to reflect on those people, places and events that have been significant in their lives, to recognize and appreciate who they are today, and to embrace the choices in their future.
Key elements:
· Presentation on keeping perspective of your past and your future
· Small group with individual creation of life journey timelines
· Paper tower construction as symbol for the foundations of faith
· Presentation on things that last in a changing world
