The Diocesan Youth Leadership Camp (DYLC) is held each June at the St. Francis Retreat Center in DeWitt. Over the course of six days, young people are given the tools to evangelize their peers and create new disciples of Christ. It’s a unique opportunity made possible through the generous donations of parishioners who contribute to the annual Diocesan Services Appeal.

“This is a long-standing event that the diocese has promoted for more than 30 years,” said Brian Flynn, director of parish youth discipleship. “Volunteers come from various parishes around the diocese, both adults and young people. The adult team is usually made up of youth ministers who meet throughout the year and plan the different sessions. Then we have a team of teenagers who are still in high school but have already gone to camp or some other discipleship formation opportunity. So, they’re a little more advanced in their faith. They help give talks, run presentations and lead the small groups too.”

Sophomore James Tennes attends St. Mary and St. Ann Parish of Charlotte and Bellevue. He attended DYLC last summer. As he was preparing to go, he found himself faced with a test.

“It was kind of surprising,” Tennes said. “Before I went to camp, the devil was trying to prevent me. I heard from someone who said, ‘Oh, you shouldn’t go to that camp. It’s not really what you think it is. But I said, ‘I’m already signed up; I’m going to go anyway.’ I was open (to it). I just wanted to learn how to have an effective Catholic life and community.”

Small group interaction is at the heart of the camp. Amelia Ott is a senior attending St. John the Baptist in Howell. For her, DYLC is a great bonding experience.

“In our small groups, we shared close things about ourselves, and really deep stuff throughout the week as we got to know each other,” Ott said. “That helps grow your relationship with God. Even though you’re learning how to be a leader and sharing your Catholic faith, you play a ton of games and group things that are really fun. You’re not just sitting there talking.”

While at camp, attendees are given the opportunity to receive Holy Communion and take part in Eucharistic adoration. It’s in these settings where organizers hope young people will experience God in their own personal epiphany. James Tennes remembers one such moment years ago … and he also remembers the feeling of “coming down from the mountain,” much like Peter, James, and John felt after witnessing the Transfiguration of Jesus.

“The first time I met the Lord, I was in sixth grade,” he said. “I had this great Eucharistic encounter. I was ready to go to camp again and have another super awesome emotional encounter. But then I got nothing. It’s really important to remember as my relationship with God keeps going: Am I loving the gifts, or the giver of gifts? DYLC prepared me to go out into that valley, because the whole point was to bring Christ to others.”Like James, Amelia found her own ways of keeping her love for God alive long after her camp experience had ended.

“Going to youth group every Wednesday really helps, but so does having a daily thing that I do for God,” she said. “Devotionals, praying, listening to worship music every day. I teach religious education class at my church every Sunday, so I have that, too.”
The 2025 Diocesan Youth Leadership Camp will be held June 22nd-27th. Applicants should currently be in high school (upcoming sophomores, juniors, seniors, and those graduating) and demonstrate potential leadership skills. The fee is $500 per attendee.

“That’s a worthwhile investment for the people of the diocese,” said Flynn. “Too often, it’s been said that young people are the future of the Church; but as Pope Francis says, they’re the now of the Church, too. They are baptized members of the Church, and it’s a critical time to be pouring into them and forming them so that they grow into mature adult disciples.”