Antiochian Teen Ministry Releases Summer Activity Guide for Parishes
A new summer resource aims to help Orthodox teens stay connected through faith, fellowship, service, and leadership opportunities.
ENGLEWOOD, NJ — The Teen Ministry team of the Antiochian Archdiocese’s Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries has released a new Summer Activity Menu designed to help parishes and deaneries keep teens engaged, connected, and spiritually nourished throughout the summer months.
The resource, distributed as a clickable PDF, offers a broad range of activity ideas and planning frameworks that youth leaders can adapt to local needs. Suggested events include movie nights, campfires, pool parties, game nights, book groups, service projects, parish workdays, supplication services, and collaborative art projects. The guide balances fellowship, faith formation, and community service while recognizing the unique opportunities that summer schedules provide.
Many of the activities encourage active participation by teens through leadership roles, prayer, service, and planning. The resource highlights ways for young people to contribute as readers, singers, discussion leaders, project organizers, and volunteers. It also includes recommendations for summer feast days, Orthodox-themed book studies, post-camp gatherings, and service opportunities with local charities and community organizations.
A central feature of the guide is its “Meeting of the Minds” framework, which invites teens to help shape parish youth programming for the coming year. This approach encourages ownership, leadership development, and stronger relationships among youth, clergy, and advisors while fostering a vibrant parish community.
Previously, the UOJ reported that a Youth Retreat at Frost Valley strengthened faith and fellowship.
