Summer Youth Institute 

Engaging youth to think critically about their faith and to explore ministry

Live Come live in a diverse Christian community.

Love Through small groups, worship, and daily activities bonds of friendship are formed for life.

Grow Through intense study with seminary faculty, students are challenged to grow in faith.

Upcoming Summer Youth Institute

SYI 2007 will be held July 7-21. Applications are available at The Summer Youth Institute Web Site or by filling in the application request form at the bottom of this page.

Who

Since 1997, the Summer Youth Institute has drawn rising high school seniors from Washington, DC to San Francisco, Calif., Canby, Minn. to Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico and everywhere in between. These scholars come from small parishes and big steeples, big cities and small towns, U.S. territories and Indian Nations, representing all walks of life and theological perspectives within the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). They come to Pittsburgh Theological Seminary to ask deep questions about life and faith, to think critically about these issues and explore ministry from the pulpit and the pews.

Activities

The Summer Youth Institute provides time for study, reflection, fun and fellowship through:

·        A course on the Bible taught by PTS faculty

·        Elective classes with seminary professors. Examples of past courses include:

o       Back to the Future: Archaeology and the Study of the Bible

o       Manna from Hollywood:  How Does the Media Influence Self-Identity

o       Are My Peeps Listening?: Designing Sermons for the MTV/BET Generation

o       Does the Future Need Us

o       Thinking Theologically About Difficult Issues

o       Mission: Returning God’s Call

·        Time to study and use the Library

·        Daily worship

·        Field trips to local churches to shadow pastors

·        Evening small groups for theological reflection and prayer

·        Time to talk with seminary faculty

·        Visits to city sites such as Kennywood Amusement Park and a Pittsburgh Pirates baseball game

·        Evening programs featuring music, drama, and speakers

·        Mission within the community

·        Friendship and fun with youth from all over the country

Program Leaders

The Rev. Ellie Johns ’00 serves as the Director of the Institute. Classes are taught by Pittsburgh Seminary faculty.  Seminarians and SYI alums/Interns lead small group discussion, coordinate recreation and see to the overall well being of the scholars.  

Program Cost

Tuition, room, board and field trips for SYI scholars are free, thanks to the Lilly Endowment, Inc. and the generous donors of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.

Accommodations

SYI scholars stay in Calian Residence hall on campus.  The Director as well as a staff of counselors and interns live on campus with the scholars and provide supervision.

Meals

Most meals are provided on campus in the Seminary’s Kadel Dining Hall.  Meals are provided or a cash allowance is given for special events and field trips.

Transportation

The scholar’s family and/or church and Presbytery must cover personal expenses and travel to and from Pittsburgh.  Travel grants are available to those who qualify. 

Contact Us

For further information, please contact SYI or call 1-800-451-4194.

Fill out the following form to request an application packet: