EYCDIOATl Calendar
Each year, the Diocese of Atlanta hosts a variety of retreats and events for middle school, high school, and college students. These events are designed to express God’s unconditional love to everyone who attends, which means that all students — yes, ALL students — will receive an enthusiastic welcome, regardless of race, gender, ability, orientation, etc.
Financial assistance is available to those who need it. If you or your student require special accommodations, contact us so we can help!
Please note: any dates in grey are subject to change. Registration links will go live 6-8 weeks before each event. Not sure what a certain event is? Scroll down for details and photos.
FALL/WiNTER 2023-24 DATES
- OCTOBER 5 | Parish Youth Minister Lunch (for all staff and volunteer youth workers) @ St. Thomas (Columbus) from 11:30a-12:15p (Zoom meeting is 12:15-1:00p
- OCTOBER 20-22 | Happening 78 at Camp Mikell ($150) | Register here
- NOVEMBER 10-11 | Overnight Lock-in @ Annual Council | Register here
- NOVEMBER 17-19 | New Beginnings 46 at Camp Mikell ($150) | Apply for Team or Register here
- DECEMBER 7 | Parish Youth Minister Christmas Lunch
- JANUARY 12-14 | DYC Winter Camp Retreat @ Camp Mikell | Register here (students and chaperones)
- FEBRUARY 6 | Parish Youth Minister Lunch (for all staff and volunteer youth workers) — Parish host TBD
- FEBRUARY 16-18 | Happening 79 at Camp Mikell
spring 2024 DATES
- MARCH 1-3 | New Beginnings 47 @ Camp Mikell
- TBD | Hunger Walk/Run
- APRIL 2 | Parish Youth Minister Post-Easter Brunch (for all staff and volunteer youth workers) @ Folk Art (Atlanta) from 10:00a-Noon
- MAY 19 | Graduation Celebration (details TBD)
School may start in early August, but we take a break from the summer heat on the third Saturday of August with our annual river tubing trip. Youth leaders and students are invited to Helen, Georgia to eat lunch, tube the Chattahoochee, and attend a special Eucharist at the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection before heading home.
Transportation and registration for this event is handled by each parish, although youth leaders will be able to get a group rate with the river outfitter through the Diocese.
In 2014, Bishop Wright commissioned a small group of clergy and lay leaders to evaluate and make recommendations for changes to our Diocesan Youth Ministry Programs. In 2015, the task force was expanded to the Diocesan Commission on Youth Ministry.
The purpose of the Diocesan Youth Commission is to ensure we are living into our purpose statement: “We believe in forming disciples by sharing the all inclusive and unconditional love of Jesus Christ.” DYC students and adults do this by:
- Advocating for diocesan and parish youth ministries in their church
- Attending DYC meetings (virtually or in person) — see application for meeting dates
- Planning and facilitating the following diocesan events:
- DYC retreats at Camp Mikell
- Overnight event for Annual Council
- Hunger Walk/Run Eucharist
- Graduation Celebration
We believe that everyone can learn to lead, regardless of personality or ability. Our requirements for Youth Commission are:
- Must be in high school during 2022/2023 school year (students)
- Must be at least one year removed from high school (adults)
- Must serve on only one other youth steering committee
- Must be able to attend the overnight training in August
- Must be able to attend designated diocesan retreats and events (see application for dates)
- Must be able to attend planning meetings (see application for dates)
The Diocesan Youth Commission plan and host this weekend winter camp in January at Camp Mikell. The purpose of the retreat is to pack the inclusive love of Jesus that kids experience at summer camp into an abbreviated winter camp session. We even have summer staffers back to chaperone the weekend!
The theme of the DYC Retreat changes each year, but it’s always a fun weekend of music, worship, program, camp activities, and a themed dance.
Each May, we gather on a Sunday afternoon at one of our parishes to honor the achievements of our high school graduates. Graduates and their loved ones are invited to join Bishop Robert C. Wright and our student leaders for a brief service, followed by a dessert reception and photos with the Bishop and graduates.
All are welcome! RSVPs are due the Wednesday before the Celebration.
Happening is a renewal weekend for high school students. Adults can serve on the Happening Team as chaperones, but our Happening Team students lead the weekend for the retreat attendees (Candidates).
Happening takes place twice a year (Fall and Spring) and typically hosts between 70-150 young people at Camp Mikell. During the retreat, students participate in camp activities and small groups as they’re encouraged to deepen their relationship with God and others.
Students can only attend Happening as a Candidate once. After they ‘Happen,’ students are welcome to apply for Happening Team in order to host the next retreat!
Students and/or adults are welcome to serve in one of the ways listed below:
- Team. Students who have already Happened and participate in the planning and leading of the weekend.
- Chaperones. Adults who support the student leaders by being present and available to help throughout the weekend.
- Music. Adults and students who lead our singing during worship.
- Cabin Moms & Dads. Adults who host/chaperone students in the Camp Mikell dorms.
- Celebration Team. Adults who participate in hallowed weekend (secret*) traditions between Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning.
Every year, EYCDIOATL sponsors a Eucharist to kick off our day at the Hunger Walk/Run, an interfaith fundraising event to support the Atlanta Food Bank and the Episcopal Charity Foundation. This event is open to people of all ages!
Parishes who register as a group have a chance to win The Bishop’s Cup, a prize that includes a trophy (for bragging rights) and a $3500 grant from ECF (for outreach).
New Beginnings is a spiritual formation retreat designed for middle school students. Every Fall and Spring, between 60-100 students and adults come together for a weekend of camp activities, small groups, skits, music, and plenty of fellowship.
This retreat is led by our New Beginnings Team, a group of high school students, chaperones, and parish and diocesan staff who plan the program and host our middle schoolers.
Every November, we gather together at Annual Council as one big Episcopal Youth Community. We get to represent our peers and our parishes by leading a worship service and then having fun at our overnight event. All middle school and high school students are invited!