Vision for High School Students

Limited Emerging Leader Scholarships are still available!

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God is calling. How will you answer?

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.

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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

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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.
  • Learn more about organizing a group and earning discounts on registration costs!

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Information for Parents

Información para los Padres

Conference Details

Dates

Save the date for one of the sessions during the summer of 2023!

June 26-30

July 10-14

July 17-21

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 25, 2023

Regular deadline: May 17, 2023

Frequently Asked Questions

Featured Speakers

Nationally-acclaimed Catholic speakers bring engaging, high-energy talks to Notre Dame Vision. Have an unforgettable time learning from their witness to the faith.

  • Chika Anyanwu, Emcee for Vision 2023

    Chika Anyanwu is a Catholic evangelist, former Confirmation coordinator/youth & young adult minister, and the author of "My Encounter: How I Met Jesus in Prayer." Her love of God and neighbor enthuses her to share the gospel through testimony, scripture, and honest conversations about the difficult realities of faith and life. She’s had the opportunity to evangelize at NCYC, Given, Steubenville youth conferences, FOCUS SEEK conferences, and The Catholic Feminist France pilgrimage. She’s also a contributor to Blessed Is She as well as “Connected” and “Venture: the Bible Timeline” by Ascension Press. Chika is a part of a beautiful Nigerian family, loves her coffee black, and desires sainthood for herself and you, although bad drivers challenge her sanctity!

  • Scott Boyle

    Scott Boyle directs recruitment and outreach initiatives across the McGrath Institute, with a specific focus on Notre Dame Vision summer conferences and the Echo Program. Originally from Cincinnati, OH, Scott received his undergraduate degree in Theology from Notre Dame in 2012 and his M.A. in Theology from Notre Dame in 2015 where he was a member of the Echo Graduate Service Learning Program. After working in many diverse settings from parish to high school and now the university setting, Scott is passionate about accompanying others as they discern how God is moving in their lives. In addition to his primary work at Notre Dame, each year he travels across the country speaking to different groups about the intersection of theology and lived faith, specifically in the realms of faith formation and youth engagement.

  • Cynthia Psencik

    Cynthia Psencik was born and raised in New York City. Her parents are from the Dominican Republic. In 2004, Cynthia began working for the Archdiocese of New York as the Assistant in the Hispanic Ministry Office. Through her ministry with youth in retreat centers and especially through her involvement in the First Encuentro on Hispanic Youth and Young Adult Ministry, she fell in love with youth ministry and pursued a Master’s Degree in Pastoral Ministry with a concentration in Hispanic Ministry from Fordham University. She then became the Associate Director for Youth Ministry, and served as the Director for the Office of Youth Ministry for 4 years before joining GIVEN staff. She previously served as the Vice President of La RED – National Catholic Network de Pastoral Juvenil Hispana and is a member of the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM). She is married to her husband Evan and lives in Connecticut.

  • Kayla August

    Kayla is a doctoral student at the School of Theology and Ministry at Boston College, where she is pursuing a Ph.D. in Theology and Education with a focus on preaching. She is a born and raised Black Catholic from New Orleans, Louisiana who desires to bring an energetic renewal of faith to the body of Christ. She uses preaching to impact religious education by inspiring Christians to deepen their encounters with scripture and how God plays an active role in our daily lives. Her hope is to bring preaching into traditional and non-traditional arenas to reawaken and to re-engage in an active spiritual life. She hopes through preaching to help to enliven the young adult faith community and also help to inspire marginalized voices—like her own— to play an active role in the Church.

  • Mike Patin

    Mike Patin uses energy, humor and stories to affirm God's goodness and presence among us while inviting others (and himself) to take the "next step" in our journey with God. Mike has worked in ministry settings since 1984, first as a high school teacher and coach, and then in diocesan ministry for the Archdiocese of New Orleans. Since 2003, he has worked full time as a speaker and “faith horticulturist.” Throughout his ministry, Mike has been privileged to speak to groups ranging from 10 to 23,000 in over 130 dioceses in the U.S. and Canada. He has spoken at parish missions, conferences, rallies, retreats, leadership institutes, and in-services, addressing youth, adults, families, clergy, seminarians, school faculties, businesses, athletic teams and hospital staffs.

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.

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).

Deadline Extended!

While the deadline of March 13, 2023 has passed, a limited number of scholarships remain. Students will be notified of their scholarship status within two weeks of application.

Contact

Reach Megan Shepherd, program director of Notre Dame Vision at mshephe2@nd.edu or call 574.631.8290.

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.

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

Students can apply for one of the following tracks:

  • The Medicine of Mercy: Theology and Public Health 
  • 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 10th-July 21st 

  • July 10th-14th: Notre Dame Vision
  • July 16th-21st: Holy Cross College Saints and Scholars

Session #2: July 17th-July 28th

  • July 17-21st: Notre Dame Vision
  • July 23-28th: Holy Cross College Saints and Scholars

Cost

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

How to apply

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until no spots remain. The application process is different from the regular Vision application.

APPLY NOW TO VISION SAINTS & SCHOLARS (REGISTRATION IS OPEN!)

Application Details

  Early Deadline (March 25) Regular Deadline* (May 17) 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 17, 2023 via the Online Store or mail a check to

Notre Dame Vision
334 Geddes Hall
Notre Dame, IN 46556
Phone: 574-631-7425
Fax: 574-631-6968

Financial Assistance

We encourage students to apply for the Emerging Leaders Scholarship. A limited amount of financial assistance is also available. Submit a Financial Assistance Request to be considered.

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.