Holden Village May Youth Weekend
May 16-19 2024
It's the best weekend of the year! We will travel to the remote village in the Cascade Mountains for a weekend of adventure, growth, and fun! We leave on Thursday evening, which means you will miss a Friday of school and we’ll return on Sunday evening.
Cost is $275; a deposit of $100 and registration form due January 28th.
The price is higher than other retreats, due to the cost of traveling to Holden Village. Lutherans from all over the world travel to Holden Village, and it is a truly special place.
If money is at all a concern, we can give partial scholarships, or provide payment plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Holden Village?
Holden Village is a remote village in the Cascade Mountains. It used to be a mining village, and now it's like a huge camp. It's completely awesome, and unlike any other place in the world! We'll travel to Lake Chelan, then take a fery and a big bus to get there. It's amazing!
We have to miss school for this?
Yep, it takes a while to travel there, so we’ll leave on Thursday evening (after school), so you’ll miss that Friday and return Sunday evening.
What do we do on the weekend?
120 high schoolers will be there. Basically, we'll hang out, hike, play games, go bowling, have fun, and talk together about our faith. It's one of my favorite weekends of the year!
Is it fun?
Ummm...I'll be there, so obviously it's gonna be awesome.
When is the deposit/registration form due?
January 28th, but you don't have to wait until then, the earlier the better! After January 28th, it’s possible I’ll have spots or a waiting list. It all depends on how many people sign up, not just from our church, but from the other churches attending as well.
My kid’s a picky eater. Will there be food?
Holden Village has great food including vegetarian/vegan options. There is also also bread, peanut butter, jelly, and cereal available all day for picky eaters.
Why does it cost so much?
Holden Village is a special place, and it costs a lot to make it happen. It's three nights of food and housing plus ferry costs. As always, scholarships are available for anyone. Cost shouldn't be a reason not to participate.
What will the weekend’s programming look like?
The theme for the weekend is All Creation Groans Together: Love, Lament, and Action in a Climate Emergency
How can we live faithful lives when we are overloaded with climate grief and anxiety? How can we find motivation for meaningful action when the future is uncertain? Together we'll dive deep into our love for God's beloved creation, and learn how to find our way through the ruins.
Our May Youth Weekend musician Lacey Brown (she/her) will be back again! She is a singer/songwriter, music leader, liturgist, percussionist and recording artist from Seattle, WA. Passionate in the liturgical arts, Lacey has been working in ministry for over 20 years directing music and liturgy in congregations, the Northwest Washington Synod, the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia, and church wide conferences and events. As a composer in the church, she writes liturgical settings and songs for congregational singing and heads up a band called Poor Clare, performing original music and poetry inspired by the mysteries of God and life.