Wilderness is an unconventional retreat for men in youth ministry. It isn't a conference with seminars, classes, or merchandise booths. It's a time of solitude in beautiful Colorado at the heights of the Rocky Mountains to be near God and to hear His voice. It's a five-day retreat for youth ministers designed to rest their souls and rejuvenate their spirits. Wilderness 2012 is October 11-15 at YMCA of the Rockies: Snow Mountain Ranch.
For questions contact or call him at 417.781.2273
Registration for 2012 is online only.
The cost of Wilderness is $465 before May 31st, $485 after May 31st, $525 after August 6th.
Wilderness registration is now online and you can either pay online with a credit card or by mailing a check.If you are planning on driving to the YMCA of the Rockies, please aim to arrive between noon and 5PM on October 11th.
Please plan on arriving somewhere between the hours of noon and 5PM. Please plan on leaving Monday, October 3rd no earlier than 1PM.
There are many different activities that the YMCA of the Rockies- Snow Mountain Ranch offers at an additional cost to you. For a list of the additional recreation options please visit the YMCA of the Rockies.
If you have asthma or something similar please bring any medications you may need due to the high elevation.
| 3:00 p.m. | Arrive at the YMCA of the Rockies. |
| 6:00 p.m. | Supper |
| Little Later | Retreat Orientation, Casual Worship, Introduction of Discussion Groups. |
| After That | Discussion Groups |
| Late Night | Options: coffee & other drinks, snacks, hangout, hit the sack |
| 8:00 a.m. | Breakfast |
| After That | Solo: journal, pray, read, reflect, meditate |
| Noon | Lunch will be served buffet style in the rustic log dining hall |
| Afternoon |
The afternoon is your time to go fishing, hiking, take a nap, rest, read, talk, rock climb & repel, horseback trails, disc golf, horseshoes, etc. |
| 6:00 p.m. | Supper |
| Little Later | Casual Worship and Discussion Groups |
| Late Night | Options: coffee, snacks, hangout, hit the sack |
| 8:00 am | Breakfast |
| After That | Worship and Recap |
| Finally | Last Time with your Small Group |
| 10:30 am | Dismiss |
| 1:00 pm | Fly out |
At Wilderness you won’t find crowded convention halls, seminars on everything you haven’t plugged into your program, or a bunch of booths with people trying to get you on their database so they can send you all their junk mail.
Wilderness is a retreat for youth ministers and youth workers. It’s about digging into the heart of why you do what you do. Its about passion more than programming. It’s about following God’s call on your life and finding the strength to follow His lead.
More important than the setting is the dynamic we want to create in small group relationships. Each participant will be assigned to a group of 6-7 other youth ministers with one mentor/facilitator. Your small group will spend time each day working through some important life issues. The mentor’s role will be to lead discussions (not lectures and seminars) about things that matter most.
Mentor/Facilitators – All of our mentors meet the following criteria:
Mentor/Facilitators will also follow up with each member of their small group in the following year to touch base, encourage, and add another layer of accountability to their life and ministry.
Spiritual Disciplines – You will be given the opportunity to experience and put into practice many of the following spiritual disciplines:
DISCLAIMER: WILDERNESS is not meant to serve as a counseling center.