Diocesan Youth Programs
The Diocese of Western Louisiana offers weekend and spiritual development opportunities for youth at Camp Hardtner throughout the year. These programs are geared toward specific age groups covering youth in middle school through high school aged youth. The Diocesan Youth Commission oversees the development and presentation of these programs.
JEYL — November 16–18, 2012
JEYL is a retreat weekend held at the Hardtner Camp & Conference Center for middle school students (6th – 9th), and is attended by students from all sections of the diocese. As a retreat weekend, there is ample "serious" content, but because it is a middle school student event, there are also many "fun" moments. The staff is composed of high school and college-age students from throughout the diocese.
The Bishop’s Ball — January 12, 2013
The Bishop's Ball is a yearly event in February for all youth from middle school to college age. in the Diocese of Western Louisiana.The Bishop's Ball is sponsored by the Commission on Youth & Young Adult Ministry.
C.L.E.Y — February 15–17, 2013
CLEY is a high school retreat weekend staged by the Diocesan Youth Commission and staffed by college-age youths and adults. Each CLEY has a design team from a different diocesan convocation which is responsible for the content and character of the weekend. Each weekend is a blend of worship, instruction, music, and fun that teaches the tenets of the faith.
Happening — March 1–3, 2013
Happening is a Christian experience designed for high school youth that is held in virtually every diocese in The Episcopal Church. Happening is one of the instruments available to renew the church in the power of the Holy Spirit, so that the church may respond more readily to the Lord's call to spread the Kingdom of God throughout the world. Happening weekend seeks to bring young persons to a fuller personal knowledge of, and a personal relationship with, the Lord Jesus Christ and to a deeper level of commitment and apostleship.
During the three-day gathering, the participants will experience the love of our Lord Jesus Christ as shown through the sacraments and the ministry of fellow students,clergy, and lay adults. The teens are encouraged to take a new faith back into their worlds, and to make a friend, be a friend, and bring a friend to Christ.
New Beginnings
New Beginnings is a unique weekend especially designed to respond to the issues, concerns and needs of youth in grades 6 through 9. It was created in the Diocese of Central Florida by adults and young people to help middle school age youth grow in their love of themselves, others, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Any young person in grades 6 through 9 can attend one or more New Beginnings weekends. Participants do not have to be Episcopalian, but must be recommended through an Episcopal church and have the backing of an adult sponsor from their church who will be attending the entire weekend with the participant. It is our hope young people will return as many times as possible. Ninth graders may choose to serve on a team, provided they have already attended one weekend as a participant.
