Spring Conference Youth Event

April 28-30 | Camp Onomia, Onamia

Ages: 6th - 12th grade

Cost: $125/Youth, $100 Adult Leader

Register Here

“Listening is a magnetic and strange thing, a creative force. When we are listened to, it creates us, makes us unfold and expand.”

             ~Karl Menninger

Deep listening is one of the most essential and ancient practices within our Christian tradition and other spiritual traditions. This practice is also essential to our individual and collective development, health, and well-being. Join youth and adults from around the Minnesota Conference for a weekend learning and practicing deep listening in its many forms: within ourselves and our bodies, within the wonder of nature, and within spaces of relationship and community. 

Lori Alford, a licensed marriage and family therapist and long-time faith formation leader in the Minnesota Conference UCC, will help lead our weekend together. Lori will guide youth through activities and experiences that help youth listen to their bodies, practice stillness and quiet, open up “heart spaces” for connection, and to tap into their innate capacity to know, love, and connect.

CYE Summer Camp

July 5-7 | Osprey Wilds Environmental Learning Center, Sandstone

Ages: Youth entering 6th grade through 8th grade

Cost: $200/Youth, $150/Adult Leader Register Here

“The world, we are told, was made especially for man — a presumption not supported by all the facts.” ~ John Muir, A Thousand-Mile Walk To The Gulf

Swim, canoe, hike, and meet some birds of prey. Let’s explore the connection of eco-justice and faith while connecting with new friends and eating some great food!

Take a journey into the wild spaces in our mind, heart and soul as we learn about the Sacredness of land, water, and air. Through our discussions and activities, youth and adults will learn how connected we are to the natural world and how we are being asked to be in community with that natural world.



Osprey Wilds Environmental Learning Center staff will assist us on our journey throughout our time together, through times of play and discussion.

Fall Conference Youth Event

October 6 - 8 | Osprey Wilds Environmental Learning Center

Ages: 6th - 12th Grade

Cost: $125/Youth, $100/Adult Leader

Register Here

“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?.” ~Mary Oliver

So often we have people in our lives who ask, “What do you plan to do?”, as if we must have a perfect answer. Through this time together, youth and adults will practice shifting our language that is more about curiosity and wonder rather than having the “right” answers. Through playful discussions, activities, and music, we will reimagine our “wild and precious life” that speaks to who we are, what we value, and how our faith can guide us in the world.

Musician and Faith Leader, Hans Peterson, will help shape the weekend and offer space to wonder together.

Born and raised in Alaska, Hans Peterson moved to the Midwest to attend Luther College. He spent the past 25 years recording, playing guitar and piano and getting people singing with Dakota Road Music, a grassroots performance/publishing company. Hans currently serves as pastor at River of Hope Lutheran Church in Hutchinson.

He enjoys ultimate frisbee, hiking, biking, cooking, and also has a soft spot for ice cream. In all that he does, Hans prays and works for a world where all creation is seen as sacred.

Rev. Sheri Nelson

Director of Outdoor Ministry

[email protected]

122 W Franklin Ave

Minneapolis, MN 55404

(612) 871-0359

www.uccmn.org/ministries/outdoor