YOUTH 2000 Retreat

February 21, 2025 12:00 AM - February 23, 2025 12:00 AM
Location: St. Francis of Assisi 7075 Ashworth Rd West Des Moines, IA 50266

YOUTH 2000

“Through the power of the Holy Spirit, YOUTH 2000 seeks to raise up a new generation of saints to evangelize the nations.”

YOUTH 2000 is an international spiritual initiative established to draw young people to a deep and lasting union with Jesus Christ, placing the Eucharist “the source and summit of the Christian life” at the center of its mission. It was founded in 1990, by a young English man named Ernest Williams who was inspired by John Paul II’s call to young people at World Youth Day in 1989 at Santiago de Compostela. 

All junior high and high school aged youth (6th - 12th grade) are invited to attend! While adults cannot attend as participants, there will be a need for a variety of adult volunteers as chaperones and small group leaders.

ASL interpreters will be available at the retreat all weekend long. If your youth will need priority seating to be near the interpreter, please email Kelly & Maureen Stone at kelandmo@gmail.com.

YOUTH 2000 Retreat Schedule

Friday, February 21 - 6:30 PM to 10:30 PM
Saturday, February 22 - 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Sunday, February 23 - 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM

Download the full schedule for the weekend.

Frequently Asked Questions

See below for frequently asked questions about the upcoming YOUTH 2000 retreat. If you have further questions or need additional information you can contact Deacon Kelly Stone at (515) 961-3894 or Maureen Stone at (515) 537-3710.

What is the registration deadline?

We are asking people to register by February 7th to ensure there is enough food at lunch & dinner for all participants & chaperones. Registrations will still be accepted after February 7th.
Does my child need a chaperone?

While you do not need to attend YOUTH 2000 with your child, we will be working to ensure that there are chaperones looking after all the youth attending.

  • If you are attending with a parish group, please ensure that you have 1 chaperone for every 7 youth that you register.
  • If your child is attending outside of a parish group a chaperone will be assigned to them at check-in unless you indicate a chaperone on their liability form.
Can my child leave early/show up late?
  • Initial registration/check-in will only occur on Friday, February 21 starting at 6:30 PM. This is when participants and chaperones will receive their name badges & wristbands. If you do not have a name badge & wristband you will not be admitted to the retreat on Saturday or Sunday.
  • Participants must have written permission signed by a parent or legal guardian in order to leave the YOUTH 2000 retreat during the retreat hours. Written permission from a chaperone or youth minister who is not the parent/legal guardian is NOT sufficient.
  • Leaving the retreat for lunch or dinner on Saturday is not an option.
Is overnight housing being provided?

This retreat is not an overnight retreat and participants are responsible for their accommodations. There are a variety of hotels in the area near St. Francis of Assisi, where the retreat is being held.

The Diocese of Des Moines is contacting hotels to get group rates. If you would like more information on this please contact Jessica Pancho at jpancho@dmdiocese.org at (515) 237-5051.

YOUTH 2000 Registration

All participants & chaperones must complete a Liability Release Form. If participant is under 18, a parent or legal guardian must sign. Once completed it can be turned into your youth minister/chaperone (if attending as a parish group) or to Alexis Nicholson at the Diocese of Des Moines by mail or email at anicholson@dmdiocese.org.

Note: When registering chaperones please use chaperone information where it says "student" and list grade as "adult". Sorry for the confusion!