See CDSP! 
Many thanks to all of the youth ministers who contributed content to the featured article. It looks as though you all had a wonderful summer. Several dioceses did not send anything, but I was able to find a little information on their websites and I used that. 
Explore with Province II youth
Our young people are one of our most precious resources. Looking through their eyes we see new things, are drawn into new ways of doing and thinking, renew our own excitement, joy and wonder and so, so much more. Look now around the province at "What I did on my summer vacation" and explore with our young people.
When I started thinking about this article back in June it was with the assumption that "everyone" would be going to EYE (Episcopal Youth Event) in Minneapolis and that's what we'd write about. Since EYE was June 22-26 and NY's Regents Exams were still being given on June 22 and 23, most of the NY dioceses were unable to send groups. Although much of the US is out by Memorial Day, school is not guaranteed to be out for the summer in NY and NJ until after June 25, especially if there have been heavy snows and fierce hurricanes. Of course, that doesn't even consider our three off-shore diocese that are very unlikely to be able to send anyone!
There was a Province II presence at EYE, however, since Western New York, New Jersey and Newark took delegations. Our other dioceses were not idle and many of them have sent word of what they did do. Read on and share the excitement, joy and wonder of our young people.
EYE
Compiled from the blog of Bronwyn Clark Skov, Officer for Youth Ministries, The Episcopal Church
The Episcopal Youth Event was a ten day event that included three days of mission. The gathering was held at Bethel University and supported by their summer conference staff.
We need the prophetic vision of these young people, their enthusiasm, and their energy for mission. The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori, Presiding Bishop, told them to "get connected" and go out and "heal the world." House of Deputies President, Bonnie Anderson, invited them to "jump in to the waters of Baptism."
There were 730 high school youth, 310 adults, and 50 bishops at EYE, including the planning team and resource staff. Over 1100 people came together to Build upon their faith, Share their stories as Christians, and to Fulfill their call to join in God's mission for the world. Many put their faith in action during EYE as they participated in Mission Possible on the opening night. Hundreds worked on the Net Zero Habitat for Humanity House. Many more participated in a variety of mission experiences, cultural immersions, and historic pilgrimages during 3 Days of Mission. Many already had plans to help at home with camp, vacation Bible school, and local mission as well as mission afar this summer.
WNY
From Jay Phillipi, who is the Province II Youth Network Coordinator, as well as the Youth Missioner in the Diocese of Western New York...
Some people went to EYE11 and had the time of their lives. Western New York got a story to tell for the rest of their lives just getting to the event. Because of bad weather in the way of their connecting flight the WNY delegation ended up going on a five airport trip that extended over 24 hours. They slept on the floor of the St. Louis airport and had to find new resources inside themselves. In the end the entire delegation (and ALL their luggage!) arrived in Minneapolis in the final hours of the second day. During the time that they were trying to get there the rest of the EYE community held them in prayer.
The adventure continued as one of the young women in the delegation became ill the following morning and would spend virtually all the rest of the event in the nurse's complex. Her companions finally got the chance to enjoy the incredible music, worship and community that is always a part of the Episcopal Youth Event. Fortunately the return trip was quick and quiet! JayPhillippi@episcopalwny.org
Unfortunately for us, Jay spent most of the event working at the information desk, so we don't have a zillion photos.
New Jersey
The Rev. Canon Debi Clarke, Dcn. was appointed to the position of Director of Youth Ministry in the Diocese of New Jersey, effective July 1, 2011. She led ten youth and five adults (including our very own Bishop George Councell) from the diocese. She organized the trip to EYE and a four day mission trip that followed. See their slide show at www.newjerseyyouth.org/eye
Newark
Kaileen Alston, Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries in the Diocese of Newark, took some young people to EYE.
Albany
From Fr. Tyler Slade,Youth Director,Diocese of Albany...
This past summer was a very full season for the Diocese of Albany youth. As usual, Beaver Cross Camp was bustling with kids from all over the region. Camp is such a fun time for our kids, with all sorts of activities from archery to our high and low ropes course, swimming, canoeing & kayaking, arts & crafts, nature, every kind of sport (we even tried rugby this year in honor of our counselors from the UK!), fishing, worship & music, dance and more. Wow, it makes you want to be a kid again doesn't it? And best of all, we had over two hundred kids commit their lives to the Lord Jesus Christ this year. The Lord was truly on the move at Beaver Cross this summer, and we are excited to see how He follows up with that work this fall!
Another highlight of the season was a mission trip of High School girls from our diocese to Northern Ireland in July. The trip was set up as an opportunity to grow in Christian leadership and maturity in Christian discipleship. The first leg of the trip was spent at a Christian youth festival in N. Ireland called 'Summer Madness'. Summer Madness is an incredibly Godly and exciting undertaking by the Protestant and Catholic churches in N. Ireland which gathers thousands of youth from both branches of the church each year to worship and grow together in Christ. Our missionaries served their fellow youth during the conference as maintenance and program staff. It was a wonderful opportunity to love and care for kids their own age, but beyond that it was a truly unique opportunity to see the creative ways in which our Lord is working to reconcile the alienated N. Irish church (Protestants and Roman Catholics) and bring healing in peace after so many years of fighting and violence.
After Summer Madness concluded, the team traveled to the diocese of Down and Dromore to dive into further outreaches that were going on in the local parishes and to do some much earned (and enjoyed) sight-seeing. By all accounts it was a fantastic and successful trip. We hope to have many more such youth missionary journeys in the years to come.
Haiti
From www.er-d.org/HaitiYouthBrigadeGBV
One of the new Phase III earthquake recovery initiatives of Episcopal Relief & Development's partner, Centre Diocésain de Développement Intégré et de Secours (CEDDISEC, the relief and development arm of the Episcopal Diocese of Haiti), supports the mobilization of a Youth Brigade to address the high incidence of gender-based violence in Haiti's lingering urban tent camps. Using participatory techniques such as learning dialogues, dramas and debates, 18 university students have united to promote a culture of peace that both protects and empowers.
Through raising awareness and support for youth-identified activities, the Youth Brigade hopes to contribute to the protection of women and girls, as well as to the reduction of all forms of violence in the high-stress camp environments. At the same time, through the mobilization and support of the Youth Brigade, CEDDISEC hopes to create a space where Haitian young people can feel both empowered and engaged in the present and future of their communities.
Beginning in June 2011, CEDDISEC's Youth Brigade received training in gender-based violence issues from prominent Haitian gender-rights advocates, lawyers, and priests. Then, working with camp leaders, the Youth Brigade conducted baseline surveys on the nature and frequency of violence and gender-based violence incidences in the four camps; this included interviews with camp leaders, women residents, and youth. In July the education program was officially launched through a series of camp presentations involving skits and music that the Youth Brigade members wrote themselves.
Read more about these remarkable young people at the Episcopal Relief and Development web site.
Diocese of Long Island
The Whole Story: Celebrating the Acolyte Festival 2011
. . . the people of God came together to celebrate an important ministry in the church
by The Rev. Debra Bennett
"If God is the center of your life, no words are necessary. Your mere presence will touch hearts." Vincent de Paul was right. Hearts were touched on Saturday May 21, 2011 as the sun shone brightly and as those assembled on the grounds of the Cathedral of the Incarnation were enraptured as over 300 acolytes from 36 parishes across the diocese of Long Island gathered for the first diocesan acolyte festival under the auspices of Youth Ministries.
To the beat of the drum, the flying of Jubilation streamers, and banners held high acolytes dressed in myriad colors, some in gloves, some with crosses, some with torches and some with thuribles, the young, the not so young, and the young at heart processed across the campus to the Cathedral. The columns entered the Cathedral to the tune of We Are Marching in the Light of God. They streamed down the side aisles and the center aisles as the Cathedral Choir of boys and girls sang in full voice along with the gathered congregation.
Who would've imagined that on a Saturday in late May, over 250 young people would be found seated at a church service?! And yet here they were: singing, serving as lectors, readers of the prayers of the people, and Eucharistic ministers. In their demeanor they personified the charge that Bishop Provenzano gave to them during his sermon that they should embody what it means to be a follower of the Cross not only on Sundays but at school and at home. Bishop Provenzano talked to the acolytes and to everyone else about what it means to be an acolyte and how that should be lived out.
It was a glorious day! Not only because the sun was shining after a week of rain, not only because of the number of acolytes present, but because the people of God came together to celebrate an important ministry in the church. The excitement was infectious. Parishioners from various congregations picnicked on the lawn, new friendships formed around the tables in Cathedral House and under the tent as a meal was shared, and laughter just permeated the air.
"Where is the devil's window?" "Where is the Bishop?": the two most important questions of the day one would surmise as a number of young people traversing the campus on a scavenger hunt queried any one they thought might have the answer. The scavenger hunt and adventure challenge course were two of the eight workshops that required working together to accomplish a particular goal. Emily Walker from St. Jude's in Wantagh could not contain her glee as she commented, "I really had a great time during the adventure challenge course. It was so much fun!" The course was led by new Camp DeWolfe directors Matt and Emma Tees. But the excitement didn't end there. A number of the young people who attended the jubilation streamers workshop joyfully waved the mini-streamers they made during their time together. Others commented on their surprise and delight at the work-out received in the dance workshop. Rebeckah Severe from St Joseph's in Queens Village was one such person who remarked, "they actually worked up a sweat!" Not to be outdone was the drumming workshop, in which those gathered were able to play a tune as one. "They sounded really good, as though they'd been playing together for a long time," a passerby mentioned. "I liked the drumming workshop. It was fun," said Khasan Edwards from St. Paul's in Roosevelt.
As everyone returned to the Cathedral for the closing, the group of acolytes from St. Luke and St. Matthew collectively shared how much they enjoyed the day, "especially meeting new people." Another group from St. James the Less were hoping they could retrieve the "Ask Me" buttons worn by members of the committee, as souvenirs. The day ended with an opportunity for sharing what the participants enjoyed the most, closing remarks, and the benediction given by Bishop Provenzano. The altar party recessed to the beat of the drums led by Mr. Courtney Bennett, the African Drum workshop facilitator, and by some of those who participated in the workshop. "This was a beautiful day of celebration and worship! I look forward to the Acolyte Festival growing in future years," cheerfully remarked Myra Garnes Shuler, Diocesan Director of Youth Ministry and Christian Formation.
Indeed "hearts were touched" this day by the "mere presence" of those acolytes and all who came to support and encourage them but mostly to witness to the presence of Christ in this gathered community in the Dominion in the Sea.
Myra Garnes Shuler,
Director of Youth Ministry and Christian Formation, mgarnesshuler@dioceseli.org
New York
NY Summer Youth Conference, known as SYC,is a spiritual retreat for teens held in a summer camp setting. We come together for a week to worship, pray and sing. A typical day at SYC day begins with a theme-related morning program. Our theme this year was "Ways to Praise" and we explored the "seven ways to praise", as well as praise through movement, music and worship. From there, we moved to interest groups such as a camp newspaper, nature group, meditation, arts and crafts, or the ever-popular "surprise" group which might have participants doing anything from tie-dyeing, going to a petting zoo, or even a high ropes zip line! Our afternoon consists of group sports, including volleyball, softball, ultimate Frisbee and dodgeball. Once recreation time is done, we head to the 40 acre lake for swimming, kyaking, a thrilling ride down the watersilde, or jumping on the enormous water trampoline. Evening program activities often include a dance, a talent show, a whodunnit mystery and a bonfire.
SYC has been an annual event in the Diocese of NY for over 30 years. SYC is currently held at Incarnation Camp in Ivoryton, CT during the last full week of August, and is open to youth of the Diocese from ages twelve to eighteen. This year's conference had participants from all three regions of our Diocese, with 72 youth and 18 adults attending. For more information about SYC, please contact any of the Directors: Liz Moeller, Christian Girard or Christy Miller at NYYouthConference @yahoo.com.
The Virgin Islands
Summer Camp at All Saints Cathedral
The area surrounding All Saints Cathedral, St. Thomas, VI, has for some time now been marred by the untoward behavior of persons becoming involved with drugs and other illicit activities. Also there are several vacant run down houses and more recently an influx of Hispanic immigrants from the Dominican Republic and Haitians. Most of the people living in the area are low income families who are in dire need of various types of assistance. It was therefore quite fitting that our Bishop, the Rt. Rev. E. Ambrose Gumbs, saw it appropriate to implement a six week summer camp so that the children of the neighborhood could be housed in a safe, learning environment. Even more significant is the fact that Bishop Gumbs, like a true shepherd, on the first week, walked the neighbored, knocked on doors and brought most of the children to the camp, and the children kept coming. To defray expenses of the camp, the congregation of All Saints gave generously of their time, talent and especially finances to accommodate the children. We embraced all groups and types of children and families, and the children ages 5-14 years benefited from many unique activities such as daily morning devotions, stories, language arts, music, arts and craft and field trips.
A total of 61 children attended the camp. An open house to display the children's work and a closing concert were testimony to the success of the program. The entire program was well received, and was a most rewarding experience, especially for the children. Yes, our Campmania, "Where God is Wild About You" got rave reviews and has begun to change the "face" of the neighborhood. bpambrosegumbs@yahoo.com
Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe
Youth Across Europe (YAE) had a gathering in early June at St. James in Florence, Italy.
Rochester
The Diocese of Rochester has begun to explore a new model for youth ministry. They have recently appointed District Youth Missioners: Rochester District, Dorothy Barnes (St. Marks and St. Johns), Karen Shuler (St. Lukes and St. Simon Cyrene), Monroe District, Laura Rosato (Episcopal Church of the Good Shepard), Jessica Longstreth (St. Lukes), Northeast, Christa Levesque (St. Peter's), Southwest, Joy Smith (Christ Church, Hornell), Southeast, Shane Craig (Christ Church, Corning).
Creation Week Camp in the Diocese of Rochester
Another summer of Creation Week Camp has come and gone, and as one of the seasoned staff members, I find myself once again counting down the days until the next summer session. Creation Week Camp, which has been a ministry of St. Mark's Church in Penn Yan, New York for over 20 years, is a unique camping experience for youth age 11 through age 18. This year Creation Week Camp was able to welcome 78 campers to the beautiful site of Camp Koinonia located in Middlesex, NY.
Creation Week is an ongoing experiment in community. Through respect and acceptance of one another; spiritual and personal growth, as well as creativity are easily fostered. The camp is designed to give young people an opportunity to experience areas of interest that might not be available in day to day life. They are encouraged to discover the creative side of their personalities through programs such as: Words & Music, Drama, Visual Arts, Tai Ji, Yoga, and D.I.Y. In each of these programs, young people are free to express their creativity in a safe environment – one totally free of judgement. In fact the most important rule at camp is one of "no-put-downs."
A typical day starts with campers and staff participating in some early morning Tai Ji before breakfast – then off to clean their cabins. Most of the day is filled with campers engaged in their chosen programs until the afternoon when there free time for swimming or games. As the day winds down, all participate in evening meditation, supper, and then a campfire every night. Campfires have come to be some of the best events of the week, with everyone participating in songs, skits, poems, and all sorts of great campfire fun. Typically during the week of camp, Bishop Singh and other clergy from the Diocese stop by to visit. For the past 2 years, that visit has included a friendly game of soccer, dinner together, and the Bishop singing some songs at campfire.
Now as the summer is passing quickly by, I am left with great memories and pictures of Creation Week Camp 2011. And yes, I am looking forward to Creation Week Camp 2012 – which as of this writing will be in 9 months, 1 day, and 22 hours.
Marie Fessler,
Head Counselor
"Transformers Meeting Eye to Eye" -The Transformer Garden in the Diocese of Rochester
by Dorothy Barnes
All things were done with the guiding hand of God and the loving teachings of Jesus Christ. On May 28, 2011, the Rochester District Youth planted an organic community garden to help feed some of the low-income families and children in the 14609 area, who have a need for fresh vegetables that cannot always be afforded on a regular basis. This lot is about sixty feet by ninety feet and was once part of a larger well-known victory garden in the 1940's.
The garden project was named, "Transformers Meeting Eye to Eye". The garden has been named, "The Transformer Garden". The Youth's Mission Statement for this project is: "To connect to Jesus Christ, to each other, and the 14609 community. Through the Holy Spirit, we come together from all sides of the city to help an impoverished area of the city, by assisting in helping to fill a need for fresh vegetables. As Jesus fed the five thousand, may we at least help to feed fifty or more people."
The garden had never been equipped with any type of water supply until now. Funds were raised to install a permanent water line to the garden. This also included an above ground pipe with faucet to allow easy access for water use in the garden. The youth planted corn, several types of beans, squash, tomatoes, peppers, and numerous rows of cabbage, greens, eggplant, potatoes, broccoli, herbs, and a few flowers. Throughout the summer, paper bags and vegetables were left in baskets on a table at the front of the garden so who ever needs may take. We have seen children and youth going in and out of the park just behind the garden, or to and from school take a handful of cherry tomatoes or strawberries, stuff their mouths and walk away with a smile. We have heard the laughter and seen the smiles on the faces of two and three year-olds as they ask, " can I have a tomato?" Once a month some vegetables are taken to the food shelf held at St. Mark's & St. John's Church in the 14609 area.
Thanks be to the help of God, Jesus Christ, and The Holy Spirit, The Rochester District, St. Mark's & St. John's Church, our Master Gardener, Rev. Rosemary Lillis, the Henrietta United Church of Christ, Fairport United Church of Christ, and Riga Congregational Church. The Rochester District Youth planted, tended, and to date harvested vegetables that have been given out to over 100 families. Along with providing a healthy alternative snack, that is with in easy reach for the untold number of neighborhood children and youth. The Rochester District Youth are blessed and they were able to spread the Spirit and the Love of Jesus throughout the neighborhood with this project.