Higher Ground  Middle School Retreat

REGISTER NOW! - Registrations will begin June 1, 2011.  A valid e-mail address is required for Registration.

Registration is a two part process:

Step 1: Register and pay electronically. 

Step 2:  Print out the Registration packet, complete it and return to our office.  This information will be e-mailed to you after you register electronically. .  Registration deadline July 23, 2010

"This I command you…Love one another." John 15:17

Higher Ground Middle School Retreat is a four-day Catholic youth program for those who completed sixth or seventh grade in the spring of 2010. The purpose of the Higher Ground Middle School Retreat is to create an environment where we belong and can invite others to belong.  The activities provide and enjoyable opportunity for the young people to develop a better sense of self, to build positive relationships with others and to grow closer to God.

Higher Ground Middle School Retreat calls participants to deepen their experience of liturgy, prayer, and community interaction.  The intent of this program is to help youth discover that we all belong to God and we must help others feel welcome in the Church.  They are encourage to reflect on their initiation into the Church at their baptism and our continued call to actively participate in the church that we belong to; locally and globally. This program is sponsored by the Diocese of Grand Island's Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, with Jack Mertz as the Higher Ground Retreats Director, Kevin Fuller as the Diocesan Director, and Fr. Matt Koperksi as the Diocesan Spiritual Director.

At Higher Ground Middle School Retreat, approximately 25 participants and 10 adult staff, gather in an informal atmosphere to have a lot of fun and build relationships of trust. The group is encouraged to experience the joy of playing, praying and working together as a community of faith.

The retreat begins at 6:00 PM MDT, Sunday and ends at 1:00 PM the following Thursday.  The retreat takes place at Camp Norwesca near Chadron, Nebraska.

The cost of the week is $150. Travel to the Middle School Retreat is the responsibility of the participants.

Refund policy:

If, for some reason, you will not be able to attend, we will refund your fee, providing you notify us before the registration deadline for your particular week (16 days prior to the week).  If notice is not given before the registration deadline for your particular week, only $75 of your registration fee will be refunded. If you do not show up for your week without contacting us before 5:00 p.m. on the Thursday before your week, no money can be refunded.  This is necessary because there will most likely be participants waiting in line in case someone cancels.  We do not want anyone to be deprived of the opportunity to experience HIGHER GROUND MIDDLE SCHOOL RETREAT.

Financial assistance is available on the basis of need, through the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry.  Please check with your parish first before contacting us, as sometimes they have financial assistance available as well.

Higher Ground Retreat™, The Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, and the Diocese of Grand Island reserve the right to use photos and video of participants and staff for marketing and publicity purposes.

2011 Higher Ground Middle School Schedule:

Week 1: Date to be Announced

*If you are trying to register after the deadline for a particular week, please contact us, and we will consider your registration based on space available at the retreat locations.

Directors:

Higher Ground Retreats Director:

Jack Mertz

E-Mail: jmertz@gidiocese.org

Phone: 308-249-3498

Diocesan Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry:

Kevin Fuller
E-mail: youth@gidiocese.org
Youth & Young Adult Office
1225 S Poplar, Suite 100
North Platte NE 69101
NE Toll Free: 800.252.9325
Phone: 308.532.2707
Fax: 308.532.3574

Send Kevin An E-mail

Higher Ground Retreats Spiritual Director:

Fr. Matt Koperksi

3801 Ave A

Kearney NE 68847

308-234-5536

REGISTER NOW! - Registrations will begin March 1, 2011.  A valid e-mail address is required for Registration.

Registration is a two part process:

Step 1: Register and pay electronically. 

Step 2:  Print out the Registration packet, complete it and return to our office.  This information will be e-mailed to you after you register electronically. .  Registration deadline July 23, 2010

Other Higher Ground Retreats:

• Higher Ground
• Higher Ground II
• Higher Ground College Retreat