8th Grade Information

Each 8th-grade student is placed in a small group based on their gender and which middle school they attend. Each small group is facilitated by an adult Core Team member and a high school Teen Leader. Small groups provide a setting where students break open and discuss the topic that was covered in the large group session and apply it to their everyday lives.

ABSENCES
If your child misses a Rise night, whether excused or unexcused, they must complete the make-up assignment for that night. The make-up work consists of watching the video of the talk or teaching for that week and answering the questions embedded in the video. All of the Rise videos can be found on the Rise videos page. 

The 8th-grade students may also choose to be enrolled in Home-based RISE instead of in-person Rise to fulfill their 8th-grade faith formation. Home-based RISE consists of weekly videos of one of our other youth ministers giving a talk (the teaching portion) on the topic for that week, following our 2-year middle school curriculum from the archiocese. Previously we have included corresponding worksheets to be filled out and turned in, but are implementing a software that will embed the questions into the video teaching so the student can submit it virtually. The main difference between in-person RISE and home-based RISE is that home-based does not include the small group discussion portion that is part of attending RISE, where students are placed in a grade-specific small group led by an adult leader to discuss, share and ask questions in order to unpack the content. The teaching portion is the same for either option. Students who choose Home-based RISE for 8th-grade are held to the same service and retreat requirements as those attending in-person. Please contact Angela for more information.

RETREATS
In 8th Grade, the youth have the chance to go on their first retreat with Christ the Redeemer Youth Ministry. The retreat is held at Christ the Redeemer, we do not travel anywhere. It is a two-day Retreat packed with fun, games, talks, and prayer. This retreat will run from Saturday morning until Sunday around noon. This retreat is also an overnight retreat! It is a great opportunity for the youth to get more acquainted with their small groups in addition to growing in the community of other youth their age.

The retreats for 2020-21 will be held on Feb. 6-7 and Feb. 27-28. As the retreats are a required component of 8th grade year, if they cannot attend in February they must make up the requirement by attending one of our make-up options in the summer. Please email Angela for more information.

We realize all students are busy and parts of sports teams, extracurriculars, etc. In order to make it fair to every student who is giving up something to be on retreat, students must attend the entirety of the retreat in order for it to be considered completed. Registration cost is non-refundable and non-transferable the friday two weeks prior to the event.

Cost is $45. Registration for each retreat closes the Thursday two weeks before the retreat at 5pm or when all spots are full. Each retreat will begin approximately at 9am on Saturday and conclude on Sunday by Noon (subject to slight adjustments).

This retreat is not possible unless we have enough chaperones. All Chaperones must be at least 21 years of age and Safe Environment trained. Come with us!