It’s never too early to start thinking about summer. There are a multitude of excellent camps and conferences within driving distance from Waterloo for high school youth to attend. The following are great opportunities to grow your faith this summer…

1. CLI (Christian Leadership Institute) is a week-long opportunity for teens and adults to grow in their leadership skills. Over the course of six days, teens will be empowered to become leaders of CLI. The teens will plan prayer services, liturgies, social experiences, and youth events. Once they have completed CLI, teens will be able to return to their parishes as valid leaders for their parish community. More information about CLI can be found here.

2. The St. Thomas More Center in Panora, IA has summer camps for all ages. Their high school camp is from July 29-August 3. The St. Thomas More Center is a Catholic youth camp sponsored by the Diocese of Des Moines. More information about their camp can be found here.

3. Notre Dame Vision is a series of 5-day conferences that includes dynamic large group experiences, reflective small group time, profound liturgies, and excellent music. Speakers from all across the country will break open important themes throughout the week and help participants to relate them to their own lives. Sixty Notre Dame undergraduates will serve as mentors, whether as musicians or small group facilitators. More information about the program can be found here.

4. Steubenville Catholic Youth Conference is a three day gathering of youth that include evangelical preaching, inspired witnessing, and anointed worship – all aimed at awakening the gift of faith in Jesus Christ. At the heart of the conference weekend are the sacraments, through which youth can experience the Father’s loving mercy, forgiveness, and healing compassion. There are conferences all around the country but two conferences are not too far away in Minnesota. With Steubenville Conferences an adult must go with any group that registered. If at least five youth desire to go to the Steubenville Conference WCYM will be more than happy to sponsor a trip. More information can be found here.

5. For those who love to sing…

Experience singers entering 10th, 11th or 12th grade in the fall of 2012 can consider auditioning for the National Catholic Youth Choir. They are taking application now through March 19. The Choir, through St. John's University in Collegeville, MN, is from June 12-27, 2012 for their choral camp and concert tour. Applications and more information are available on their website here.