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From outdoor activities to fashion, Catholic youth groups exist for every interest
By Julie Filby
As parents navigate the numerous extracurricular activities available for school-age children, they may want to consider Catholic-based groups and activities. Below are some of the opportunities available from preschool through high school. Parish and school office can also provide additional information.
Bethlehem and Marian Groups
For girls 7-12 (Bethlehem) and 13+ (Marian)
Bethlehem and Marian Groups are small faith communities that offer a place of friendship and reflection about being Christian in daily life. The groups have activities including regular meetings, sports, retreats and camping. To find out more, visit www.clmusa.org or contact Amada Briones at denverclm@clmusa.org.
Catholic Committee on Scouting
For boys and girls age 6-18
This committee promotes duty to God at each level of scouting for Boy Scouts of America and Girl Scouts USA. There are age-appropriate religious emblems awarded by the committee earned though study and service. For more information, visit www.archden-dccs.org or contact Denver-area associate chairman Jon Elliott at 303-522-8828 or email Denver-Chair@archden-dccs.org. For more information on Scouts, contact your parish or neighborhood school, or visit www.scouting.org or http://girlscouts.org.
Challenge
For girls fifth-10th grade
Challenge is a leadership club to help girls grow in virtue, friendship and the Catholic faith—a place for girls to grow closer to Christ and put their faith into action through formation activities and apostolic projects to create a positive impact on family, friends and the world. Learn more at www.challengeclubs.com, or contact Sally Ivers at 303-804-0522 or sally@iversinc.com. For the new club in Longmont, contact Susan Kingsley at 303-827-3180 or skingsley.ykc@gmail.com.
Conquest
For boys age 5-16
Conquest is a club for boys to provide faith-building formation, leadership opportunities, Gospel reflections and camps. It is designed to instill virtue, develop character and encourage spiritual growth—while offering physical, intellectual and spiritual activities within an atmosphere of adventure. Find out more, visit www.conquestclubs.com or contact John Sanderson at 303-662-0421 or sandersondesign@comcast.net; or Marcelo Garcia at 303-809-8452 or mggm519@hotmail.com
Kids for Jesus
For boys and girls age 3–13
K4J is a series of programs that motivates children and families to live virtue and love Christ through their Catholic faith by completing a simple mission each month. It includes various programs for parishes, schools or home—and is designed to fit the lifestyle of today’s busy Catholic. For more information, visit www.k4j.org or contact Monique Dinkel at 303-923-5750 or modinkel@msn.com.
Little Flowers
For girls age 5-11
Little Flowers teaches Catholic virtues and tradition through the lives of saints, Scripture and the “Catechism of the Catholic Church.” Through the study of different virtues, girls can earn flower petals, similar to merit badges, to form a wreath. To find out more about starting a group visit www.eccehomopress.com/Little-Flowers-Home.html. For information on the (third-year) group at St. Louis School in Englewood contact Mary Hoeft at 303-475-3642 or hoeftfamily@yahoo.com. To connect with the Centennial group, email Smita Rodrigues at smita.mary@gmail.com.
Parish youth groups
For young men and women, sixth-12th grade
Many parishes have weekly youth group activities for middle- and high-school-age youth. There are also several archdiocesan events throughout the year including Steubenville of the Rockies and Mountain Madness. For more information check your parish bulletin, call the parish office or contact the archdiocesan youth ministry office at 303-715-3175 or visit www.archdenyouth.org/youth-ministry.
Pure Fashion
For young women age 14-18
Pure Fashion emphasizes a young woman’s inherent dignity which creates in her a desire to act and dress in accordance with that dignity. The program begins in January and culminates in a fashion show in May. Find out more at www.purefashion.com, or contact Sallie Hurley at 303-741-3355 or salliehurley@aol.com.
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