Youth Ministry Retreats and Activities

Retreats and activities are excellent opportunities to learn more about the Catholic Christian faith in a setting that is fun, relaxed, natural and away from normal daily duties. Retreats and activities are not only popular with youth but prove to be successful as youth leave their day-to-day environment behind and set aside real time to find out more about God, themselves and one another.

Retreats and activities are offered to the youth each year. See the In Touch and On the Rock webpages for dates and registration information.



Winter Retreat which uses a secular theme and retreat participants unveil the spiritual themes associated to that theme during the weekend. This retreat is open to all youth grades 6-12. The retreat is directed by the middle and high school youth directors but is facilitated by middle and high school peer ministers, off-site. This retreat is usually held in December.

Confirmation Retreat for 10th grade, led by the high school Core Team, usually on Super Bowl weekend held at Camp Friendship.

9th Grade Confirmation Retreat led by N.E.T. Ministries, typically in April.

Middle School Youth Retreat is typically held in the Spring, planned and facilitated by the Peer Ministry Team as a fun on-site retreat.

Mission and Summer Trips are a great way to be adventurous, experience new cities and people, and dive into how faith and travel can really change your life. Check out the many trips St. Joseph has offered their youth ministry groups.


There is always something exciting coming up at St. Joe's for the youth.
Community building is a great way to get involved, make new friends and build your faith

High School Grill Night! Once month in the summer, we grill, eat, laugh and play yard games. All youth are invited, so bring your friends! St. Joseph provides the meat, veggies burgers, buns and condiments. Youth chip in by bringing veggies, fruit, dessert or chips to share.   

Mayhem Lock-In engages several other Catholic and Lutheran church youth in the northwest suburbs. We have a community building lock-in at the Maple Grove Community Center for youth grades 6-9. This event is typically held in January or February each year. Come hang out with your friends as you swim, play games, ice skate and more!

Sleep Out for the Homeless. An annual event that invites all youth, grades 6-12, to come together to get a short glimpse of what it might be like to be homeless. All registered participants must come with their own cardboard box, a donation for PRISM and the warmest gear they have to sleep in.