20-Something Ideas For Youth Ministry Field Trips
By Fr. David Subu and Ron Tucci
- Monastery Pilgrimage: One of the most valuable experiences a youth can have is to spend a day or two in the monastic environment to see how deeply Christianity can be lived.
- Inter-Orthodox Outings / Visits to Other Churches: It is essential for teens to realize that they are not alone and that there are more Orthodox people their age than they think!
- Service Project: Help at a homeless shelter, food co-op, or building project. See “20-Something Ways to Get Youth Involved in Christ-like Service.”
- Church Council, Assembly, or Convention: Attend youth-related councils or congresses and make the youth presence known at Church councils such as the All-American Council.
- Nursing Home or Hospital: Visiting the sick and infirm needs to be taught early.
- Youth Choir Trip to Other Parishes: Some youth organizations are already recording and publishing their choir’s performances.
- Camp-Out: Spend an overnight or weekend stay in the woods and under the stars.
- Retreat at Camp / Retreat Center: This is like a camp-out but with more of the comforts of home such as beds and bathrooms!
- Cemetery: Remember the departed and learn about ancestors by tending graves at cemeteries where parishioners are buried.
- Amusement Park: This is a classic youth outing. There is often a park within two to three hours of most communities.
- Museum: Large exhibits of Orthodox art, Russian, Byzantine, and others, have become more popular and widespread.
- Sporting Event: Go to watch or to play!
- Science or Nature Center: With interactive exhibits, these are particularly good for younger groups. Exhibits ranging from high-tech to complete wilderness can entertain all ages.
- Youth March: Youth have something to say about issues of justice, so “let your light shine.”
- Movie: You can choose either a current feature that is of interest to your youth ministry or arrange for a special showing of another film. Be sure to preview the movie before showing it to a group.
- Concert: Whether secular or religious music, there are many free and open-air concerts in cities during the summer months.
- Fair or Festival: The local town fair, a block party, or an ethnic festival, can be great opportunities for teens to go, have fun, volunteer, or run their own booth.
- Zoo, Aquarium, or Botanical Garden: These trips are great for days with good weather by offering a variety of shows as well as wandering time to keep youth interested.
- Waterfront: Beaches, lakes, and even pools and water parks are always great places for fun and fellowship. Be prepared for sunburn!
- Dinner / Banquet: It can be a dinner cruise, barbecue at family fun parks, or a formal affair.
- Dance / Cotillion: AROY has established a very successful yearly cotillion which gathers teens from throughout the country for an elegant formal dance and a planning meeting for its activities during the coming year.
- Education / Career Planning at a University: This type of outing is very good for high school teens looking to make decisions about the future.
- Workshop with Local Artist, Educator, Activity Instructor: This is a great way to gain new experiences, insights, and skills.
- Ice Cream Social or Picnic: This is very simple, traditional idea. It is something that doesn’t require too much organization and a good place to start for any youth group.
For More Details on starting any of the above programs feel free to contact:
Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries
PO Box 675, Syosset, NY 11791
516/922-0550 ext. 141
Fax: 516/922-0954
E-mail: yyacm@oca.org
Let us know if you have any other ideas and how your programs worked out. People throughout the Church can benefit from experience!