Retreats

Vancouver College students look forward to the annual retreats, an enriching spiritual encounter with God, himself, and friends. It gives students the opportunity to pass a few days in solitude, consecrated to practices of prayer and penance. This experience centers on a personal relationship with Christ; the formation and enhancement of open, loving, sensitive, and forgiving relationships; and the enabling of everyone to realize and fulfill the personal call of God upon their lives. After this enlightening experience, the young men leave with a new mission in life: to spread the love and direct their life in this world towards God.

Encounter Retreats

Grade 12 - Encounter Retreats are held at Camp Stillwood in Cultus Lake in November, February, and April. See Mr. Beliveau for further details. This is not a compulsory retreat. Students are required to sign up in advance. The fee is $140.00. Permission and Medical Forms are required. A Parent Night is held on the Monday or Tuesday evening prior to each Encounter Retreat at 7:00 pm in the Alumni Room. List of “What to Bring” is provided by the Staff and Student Directors. Leadership is provided by a Team of student led by the Rector. Students interested in being part of the Team on an Encounter should indicate in an email to Mr. Beliveau in advance stating interests and commitment.

Encounter Leadership Team Application

If you are interested in submitting your name for one of the leadership positions on an Encounter Retreat you are asked to submit in writing a typed summary of two questions. This should be given to Mr. Beliveau or Brother Gattone or Mrs. Beltgens well in advance of the particular Encounter Retreat:

1. Why do you want to be a leader on an Encounter Retreat?
2. What do you feel you can contribute to the Encounter Retreat?

Students travel on a rented coach bus with teachers and return before 4:00 pm on the Monday. The retreat is three nights. Contact Camp Stillwood for details of the facilities.

ALL FEES AND REGISTRATION FEES SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO MR. BELIVEAU.

Pilgrimage 11 Retreats

Grade 11 - Pilgrimage Retreats are held at Loon Lake in Maple Ridge in February and March. See Mr. Beliveau for further details. This is not a compulsory retreat. Students are required to sign up in advance. The fee is $40.

Permission and Medical Forms are required. Lists of What to Bring are provided by the Staff and Student Directors. Leadership provided by a Team lead by the Rector. Students interested in being part of the Team on a Pilgrimage should indicate in an email to Mr. Beliveau or Mr. DesLauriers in advance stating interests and commitment.

Pilgrimage Leadership Team Application

Students interested in being on the two leadership teams for Pilgrimage retreats each year are usually recommended by staff and selected in consultation with the assigned Rector of each retreat. If you are interested, you should submit a typed reflection to Mr. Beliveau no later than October 1 of each year in response to these two questions:

1. Why would you like to be a leader on the Pilgrimage 11 Retreat?
2. What do you feel you can contribute to the retreat leadership team?

Students travel on a rented coach bus with teachers and return before 3:00 pm on the second day. The retreat is one night. Contact Loon Lake - UBC Research Forest (Malcolm Knapp) for details of the facilities.

ALL FEES AND REGISTRATION FEES SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO MR. BELIVEAU OR MR. DESLAURIERS.

Emmaus 10 Retreats

These retreats are conducted at I.C. Parish (Dunbar) in Vancouver - See Miss Prescott or Mrs. Vernier for further details. This is the first voluntary retreat at Vancouver College. The fee is $10. Permission Forms are required as this one-day retreat takes place during the regular school day hours. Students are transported on rented buses to Immaculate Conception Parish in Dunbar area of Vancouver. Students in Grades 11 and 12 are needed to provide Group Leadership. There are also senior student leadership opportunities - if you are in grade 11 or 12 and interested, please see Miss Prescott or Mrs. Vernier!

Middle School Retreats

Grade 7, 8, and 9 Retreats - Please contact your son's Religion Teacher or Mr. DesLauriers for further information. These retreats are compulsory.

The theme for the Grade 7 Retreats is "SERVANTS AND FRIENDS"
The theme for the Grade 8 Retreats is "ONE IN THE SPIRIT"
The theme for the Grade 9 Retreat is “ALIVE IN THE SPIRIT”