The Diocesan Work Camp is a weeklong camp experience for high school youth to serve our brothers and sisters in need by making their homes safer, warmer, drier, and greener while also having the opportunity to grow in our Catholic faith.

Work Camp is not just a youth event. It is an opportunity for parishes to make a difference in the lives of those in need right here in our diocese while encouraging youth to answer their baptismal call to serve others.

For more information, contact the Office for Evangelization.

The Saint George Trek is The National Catholic Committee on Scouting high adventure Catholic leadership program for older Catholic Boy Scouts and Venture Crew members at Philmont Scout Ranch. The program brings Catholic high school youth from around the country together with selected priests, religious and seminarians for eleven days of backpacking in the context of a vocation retreat.

The Saint George Trek begins in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where the participants get to know one another, train, have fun, and pray. Then it’s off to Philmont Scout Ranch where they will hike the Sangre de Cristo Range of the Rocky Mountains. While hiking, they will experience a program that is designed to encourage the integration of morality, values, spirituality, faith, scripture and vocation in their lives as young Catholic Men and Women. Before returning home they will be asked to commit their own continued discernment as well as bringing their experiences home to their respective dioceses, so they can become effective peer leaders and role models for their fellow scouts.

Candidate Qualifications/Selection

The Diocese of Richmond will sponsor as many as two Boy Scouts or Venture Crew members for participation in the Trek. Please download the application for the 2017 Trek.

As a part of the outreach efforts of Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio, the Steubenville Summer Youth Conferences provide a unique opportunity to gather with teenagers from across the nation in Catholic community. The conference combines awesome talks, incredible music, praise and worship, time for prayer and fellowship, entertainment and liturgies. Since 1976, Franciscan University has sponsored youth conferences across the United States. This year, there will be 21 different conferences held throughout the United States and Canada that will host over 36,000 young people. At some conferences, Franciscan University partners with other Catholic youth organizations to host the conference. The Diocese of Richmond will attend the Steubenville Atlanta Youth Conference, which is co-sponsored by Life Teen, Inc. 

This year’s theme is Elevate, based on the scripture verse: “Behold, I make all things new” (Revelation 21:5). From His throne in heaven to the depths of your heart, these words of Jesus are an invitation for you to receive the new life that He alone can give. He is longing to elevate your life above the things of this world — to help you overcome fear, anxiety, confusion and doubt. He wants to break the things that hold you down and give you freedom from sin. He is calling you to follow Him and enter into a transforming experience with His love, grace, and mercy! He can make you new! This summer, join over 50,000 other Catholic teens at one of our 25 youth conferences and experience the joy of following Christ and being elevated by His love. 

For more information, please contact the Office for Evangelization.

Quo Vadis is a Latin phrase which translated means “Where are you going?” The goal of the Quo Vadis Camp is to bring high school aged men together who desire to grow in faithful discipleship and personal holiness to be better able to discover their own vocation invitation from our Lord, whatever that might be. This is accomplished through a 4 day experience that is highly energetic, fun, active, prayerful, and meant to build fellowship among the participants.

For more information, contact the Office for Evangelization.