Camp Summit, Steubenville among opportunities for youth this summer

The Diocese of Fargo Youth Ministry Office kept busy with events, conferences, and camps throughout the summer to provide opportunities for youth to encounter Jesus through the sacraments and fellowship.

Starting in May, the Diocese of Fargo hired two college interns, Tommy Hollcraft and Zoe Kraft, to lead various events for middle and high school in the Fargo/Moorhead area and throughout the diocese. In my previous work in the Diocese of Crookston, I noted that summer ministry was a great opportunity to engage youth outside of a classroom setting. Even though summer is still busy for youth, weekly gatherings help promote community, foster spiritual growth, and help us at the diocese learn how to engage the youth more. The weekly gatherings, facilitated by Tommy and Zoe, comprised of three components: social engagement, spiritual formational, and service work.

Every Wednesday was a day for social events like bowling and visits to Thunder Road. Spiritual events consisted of XLT (exalt) which included recreational time (ultimate Frisbee or shtick), a shared dinner, and concluded with Praise and Worship, a keynote around the theme “I thirst,” and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Service Nights included learning about homelessness and what we can do in response to Roe vs. Wade.

Along with weekly events, Tommy, Zoe, and I prepared for Camp Summit and the Steubenville Youth Conference. 

Camp Summit (for middle school students), under the patronage of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, expanded on the life of Pier and his constant pursuit of something greater. During this 5-day camp at Red Willow in Binford, the youth heard multiple keynote talks, engaged in small group discussion, attended daily Mass, spent time in daily adoration, and had recreational time. For many staff and youth, this was a new experience for them.

“Seeing them rush to confession and then open up in small group afterward was a powerful image of God’s mercy,” said Zoe Kraft. “It was also amazing to hear that for the majority of them, their favorite part of camp was adoration, Mass, and confession instead of the games and other activities.”

Steubenville Youth Conference (for high school students) took place at the end of July at the University of St. Thomas, in St. Paul. Unpacking the theme, Fearless, over 1,900 youth and chaperones learned how to be fearless disciples of Jesus Christ. Most of the speakers shared their witness stories and how the boldness of others helped them be courageous in the faith. As Emcee Chris Mueller stated, “being fearless doesn’t mean you have no fear, it means that you trust in the one who is leading you along the path of discipleship.” Throughout the 3-day conference, youth heard talks from nationally known speakers, sang whole-heartedly in worship with Sonar Worship Band, had small group discussion, attended daily Mass, and spent time in adoration.

Steubenville is one of the most transformative events our high school youth can attend. I’ve been coming to the Steubenville Conferences for 13 years and have watched the Lord do mighty things in the hearts of the youth. He has mended broken hearts, healed strained relationships, and revealed his love to some who have never experienced it before.
I hope to continue summer ministry with another year of Camp Summit and a larger group for Steubenville next summer. We know that the work we do couldn’t happen without our devotion to prayer and docility to the Holy Spirit.

Please keep the youth of the diocese and for all the volunteers who help make these events possible in your prayers.