Throughout the school year Pico Escondido is open to
different Young Life groups, both Dominican and American. Pico also serves as a
retreat center for Dominican churches and Christian organizations.
In the fall, Vida Joven (Young Life ministry for Spanish
speakers) has area retreats at Pico Escondido. Much of the focus is for kids
who have recently accepted Christ to learn more about being His disciples.
There is also a weekend camp for Dominican adults who are interested in
learning more about Vida Joven and becoming involved. In addition, Young Life’s
International Schools ministry puts on a weekend camp for English speaking high
school students in the fall and middle school students in the spring. As Pico
is the only Young Life camp in the Dominican Republic, it serves as a base for
all sorts of ministry activities for Vida Joven Dominicana. Their national
office is even located at Pico. Many local churches and non-profit
organizations also host weekend retreats, camps, conferences, and other
activities.
In February through June, Pico becomes home to many English
speakers, as work teams from the U.S. come and serve. These teams work on
various maintenance, construction, and landscaping projects at camp as well as
in local communities where Young Life is active. College aged volunteers
can serve as interns or Summer Staff during the work team season to help facilitate activities. For more information, please see the Young Life Expeditions website or contact us!
In the Spring, Vida Joven leaders from all over the DR
come to Pico for our Leader Training Camps where they become more equipped to
serve as Christian leaders.
Summer Outreach Camps for Vida Joven begin in early July and
now include six different four-day camps, ending in early August. Every year
the number of Dominican teenagers hearing the Gospel grows, and in 2016 Pico
hosted the largest series of Outreach Camps ever with 1,153 campers and leaders
coming to camp. Countless volunteers helped make this happen by either serving
as part of the Equipo de Trabajo (Work Crew), Assigned Team, or Summer Interns.
If you want to help send Dominican kids to camp, click here.