Duke Youth Academy for Christian Formation

The Duke Youth Academy for Christian Formation is a two-week summer program for selected high school juniors and seniors to live in an intentional Christian community.

The academy invites approximately 50 students from a variety of denominational, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds to the Duke campus each July. It is an intensive encounter with Christian life, patterned by worship, reflection, study, service and play. The Youth Academy is designed as an alternative to the traditional summer church camp and employs sacramental theology as the lens through which students can understand their vocational calling.

The primary goal of the academy is to equip students to live in a distinctly Christian way, enhancing the level of theological and liturgical practice in their home congregations. A secondary, long-term goal of the academy is to identify and encourage high achieving students to consider the ministry as a serious vocational choice.

Each of the six sessions has attracted attendance of students from more than a dozen states and at least seven Christian denominations.  The 2006 Academy had students from 25 states and 16 denominations. In a rigorous daily schedule based loosely on monastic design, students are exposed to new forms of liturgy, theological teaching from Divinity School professors, and new aspects of community service, while daily participating in art, worship, reflection and play.

A dozen Duke Divinity School faculty and staff members each conduct two-hour sessions on major theological themes for the students. Coordinators, mentors and resident assistants are recruited from the ranks of pastors, church agencies and Duke Divinity staff and students, all of whom have experience and interest in the church's mission to those of high school age.

Fred Edie, director of the academy, said that students have “ judged connection with divinity school faculty and the staff of adult mentors to be among the most significant benefits of the academy. In other words, they found us to be credible witnesses to Christian faith and life.”

Students who attend the academy are recommended by their pastors or youth leaders and must submit an application that includes references and essays concerning their background and goals, their thoughts on challenges facing the church, and the influence culture has on their faith.

Faculty Director:
Fred Edie 919-660-3540

Assistant Director:
Elizabeth Ingram Schindler 919-660-3552

Editorial Contact:
Reed Criswell 919-660-3542