Vision for High School Students

God is calling. How will you answer?

Register Here

Each year, Vision conferences at the University of Notre Dame offer high school students from all across the world the opportunity to immerse themselves in the tradition and campus life of Notre Dame as they learn from the witness of the saints and develop practices to live their faith. For five days, sharpen your spiritual vision to recognize God’s grace at work in your life and immerse yourself in the Notre Dame campus. Sleep in the dorms, eat in the dining hall, and pray at the numerous sacred spaces across campus. 

Notre Dame Vision combines the theologically-rich experience of hearing nationally-known keynote speakers with the mentorship of college students. From large group sessions to small faith-sharing groups comprised of your peers, Notre Dame Vision gives you the space and the community to ask big questions about how God is calling you to use your talents in service to the Church and world.

 

Notre Dame Vision helped me realize that even though I’m not perfect God still loves me and will always love me. I started to understand how the Lord works in my everyday life. I saw what gifts he gave me, and now I can use these gifts to help others through the church. God made me, alive and wonderful, with all my passions to better this world!

Susan

Saying that Vision was extraordinary would be an understatement. From day one, I was introduced to people around me who not only shared my faith, but wanted to help me find God in things I never expected. I’m learning to accept how I have been gifted by God, and Vision has opened this gate for me.

Jason

Learn More

Theological Depth. Accompaniment. Prayer & Reflection. Lots of Fun.  

What makes Notre Dame Vision unique among faith-based summer programs for high school students is the invitation to theological depth offered to young people as they are accompanied by undergraduate Mentors who receive robust theological and pastoral formation for their ministry. 

These undergraduate Mentors cultivate a personal, authentic, and theologically sound small group experience for the high school participants as they come to know one another through the week as they share meals, pray, and recreate together while enjoying the beautiful campus of Notre Dame. 

With this foundation, the Mentors and participants build the trust that is necessary to more openly and honestly explore the deeper questions of God’s call in their lives while listening to keynote speakers, participating in the sacraments, and building community throughout the week.

Grounded in the practices of prayer and reflection encountered at Vision, participants are sent forth fueled by the flame of God’s love to share their gifts with the world.

  • Notre Dame Vision is open to students entering ninth grade through newly-graduated high school seniors.
  • Come on your own, bring a friend, or register as part of a church or school group.

Campus and youth ministers, learn about Notre Dame Vision CYM, our companion program, designed especially for you.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Resources for Recruiting

Information for Parents

Información para los Padres

Conference Details

Dates

Save the date for one of the sessions during the summer of 2024!

June 24-28

July 8-12

Location

Notre Dame is located 90 miles east of Chicago, in South Bend, Indiana. Participants will be housed in student dorms and will eat in the dining hall. The beautiful campus has two lakes, walking paths, athletic facilities, and restaurants.
 

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Cost

For individuals applying by the early deadline, the 5-day conference costs $350 plus a $100 deposit. Discounts apply for groups of 5 or more. Registration includes housing, meals and conference materials for Monday evening to Friday midday.

Deadlines

Early deadline: March 22, 2024

Regular deadline: May 20, 2024

Frequently Asked Questions

Application Details

 

  Early Deadline (March 22, 2024) Regular Deadline* (May 20, 2024) Online Application
Individual $350/person plus $100 deposit $375/person plus $100 deposit Vision Online Application
Group of 5+ $325/person plus $100 deposit $350/person plus $100 deposit Vision Online Application
Saints and Scholars $425/person plus $425 deposit paid to SSI with application $425/person plus $425 deposit Joint Program Application

*Notre Dame Vision will accept applications up to 28 days prior to the start of each session if spots remain.

Instructions for Applying

  1. Apply via the Vision Online Application which includes the submission of online waiver, medical and code of conduct forms and pay the $100 deposit per applicant via credit card or online check
  2. Prepare for Notre Dame Vision by reading Information You Need to Know (Información en Español)
  3. Pay the balance due by May 20, 2024 via the Online Store or mail a check to

Notre Dame Vision
334 Geddes Hall
Notre Dame, IN 46556
Phone: 574-631-7425

Financial Assistance

We encourage students to apply for the Emerging Leaders Scholarship

Wait list

If any of our sessions reach capacity, please see our Wait List Procedures.

Contact us

Please complete this contact form to get in touch with a member of the Notre Dame Vision staff.

Visit the Vision Store

Purchase shirts or complete your payment for Notre Dame Vision.

Scholarships

We want to ensure every young person has an opportunity to attend Notre Dame Vision. The Emerging Leaders Scholarship aims to form new leaders in the Church and support individuals needing financial assistance.

The scholarships will cover up to $325 of the $475 total registration fee for Notre Dame Vision.

Click here for the Emerging Leader Scholarship Application

Qualifying for the Scholarship

Young people should apply for the Emerging Leaders Scholarship if they meet one or more of the following categories:

  1. Demonstrated need for additional leadership development in order to become more effective, confident, and faith-filled leaders
  2. Expressed interest in exploring a vocation to religious life or priesthood
  3. Lack the financial means to attend Vision

Application Process

The high school student must complete an online application (that opens in January) which includes the Vision Program application, $100 deposit payment, a two-part essay, and a brief letter from an adult who is nominating the young man or woman. The Application Essay and Nomination Letter will be uploaded into the online form. Full details and instructions can be found in the Nomination Packet

Instructions for Applying

  1. Review the Nomination Info Packet to see what you will need for the application process. 
  2. Request Nomination Letter & Compose Essay
  3. Apply via the Emerging Leader Application Form (you will need the Nomination Letter to upload as part of the process).

Contact

Reach Craig Gould program director of Notre Dame Vision at cgould2@nd.edu or call 574.631.1901.

Saints and Scholars

Saints & Scholars offers an additional week of formation for high school students who desire more learning beyond Notre Dame Vision. In partnership with Holy Cross College, students spend one week at Notre Dame Vision followed by a second week at Holy Cross where they study theology and learn how to put faith into action through the lens of a particular discipline.

Register Here

Find out more about Saints & Scholars by visiting the program website found here.

Students can apply for one of the following tracks:

  • God’s People on the Move: Theology and Human Rights
  • A Voice in the Wilderness: Theology and Media
  • Back to Virtue: Theology and Leadership
  • Living Laudato Si’: Theology and Ecology
  • A Journey of Faith and Reason: Theology and Education

Dates

Session #1: July 8 - July 19 

  • July 8-12: Notre Dame Vision
  • July 13-19: Holy Cross College Saints and Scholars (Students will be picked up and taken to Holy Cross College on Friday afternoon by the Saints and Scholars staff. All weekend housing/meals will be provided at no extra cost.)

Cost

A $850 registration fee covers both weeks ($425 Vision and $425 Saints & Scholars)

How to apply

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until no spots remain. The application process is different from the regular Vision application. For questions regarding the Saints & Scholars program/registration, please contact Maria Gorecki at mgorecki1@hcc-nd.edu or call 574-239-8305.