“Take courage! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33)
When: 7th – 11th August 2027
Where: Gowanbank SU Centre (Outside Darvel)
Join us for World Youth Day 2027 as Seoul comes to Galloway!
Every two to three years, young Catholics from around the world gather to mark World Youth Day. In recent years, the event has taken place in Madrid, Krakow, Rio, and most recently in Lisbon. Next year, it will take place in Seoul, South Korea.
Having explored the possibility of travelling to South Korea, we have found that it would be too expensive and therefore exclude many of our young people from being able to participate, so instead, we’ll be bringing Seoul to Galloway as we follow the event from Gowanbank SU Centre, near Darvel, where we also host our annual Advent Retreat.
What happens at World Youth Day?
World Youth Day includes a variety of different events, following a pattern similar to the below:
- Day 1 – Opening Mass
- Day 2 – Catechesis & Mass
- Day 3 – Catechesis, Mass & Opening Ceremony with the Pope
- Day 4 – Catechesis, Mass & Stations of the Cross with the Pope
- Day 5 – Prayer Vigil with the Pope
- Day 6 – Missioning (Closing) Mass
Galloway’s Seoul will run from Saturday 7th to Wednesday 11th August 2027 and replicate many of these elements, following some of them online, and celebrating them ourselves.
What is Catechesis? The Catechesis sessions at World Youth Day are an opprotunity to learn and grow in faith, a different person each day speaks on a topic around the theme of World Youth Day – for 2027, courage and strength in Christ – before Mass is celebrated.
What will Galloway’s Seoul look like?
We will follow a similar programme to World Youth Day, but incorporating some of the on and off site activities Gowanbank has to offer as well each day.
- Day 1 – Saturday 7th
- 4.00 PM – Arrivals
- Opening Mass, Dinner, and Small Group Time – to give young people a chance to meet and get to know one and other.
- Day 2 – 4 – Sunday 8th – Tuesday 10th
- Morning – Talk & Mass, followed by Lunch
- Afternoon – Activities, followed by Dinner
- Evening – Opening Ceremony/ Stations of the Cross/ etc., followed by breakout time.
- Day 5 – Wednesday 11th
- Morning – Closing Mass, followed by Lunch
- Afternoon – Games, Activities, and Farewells.
- 4.00 PM – Departure
Draft programme subject to change.
What is Gowanbank like?
Young people will be accommodated in shared en-suite rooms with up to 6 others. If necessary for capacity, some young people may also be accommodated in large outdoor tents shared with three others (these tents have bunkbeds and amenities available, there would also be two leaders accomodated in a neighbouring tent – the young people would not be camping in the traditional sense). All rooms are single gender and assigned according to age and friend groups to keep friends together.
All meals are included, including: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner, as well as snacks at breaktimes between activities or talks, we will ensure that food is available to meet any dietary requirements.
The facilities at Gowanbank are extensive for the young people to use when not on specific activities, including a Games Room, TV Room, Silent Disco, and lots of space both within the house and grounds for outdoor activities such as football.
What activities are included?
We are still working with Gowanbank on a comprehensive list of activities, however some of the activities include: tree climbing, kayaking, hill walking, archery, nature trails, team challenges, rock climbing, and more.
Once the timetable is confirmed, you will be contacted to indicate which activities your child would like to take part in and we will endeavour to ensure they get the chance to do them all, but as a minimum, their top choices.
Who can take part?
The event is open to any young people currently in P5-S4 (P7-S6 in August 2027). The cost for the whole week, which includes all food, accommodation and activities is £400.00 per person, however we will work with and support young people over the coming year in doing fundraising in their local area to reduce this cost as far as possible. If finance is a concern, we also have grants and bursaries available, we are also able to provide support if you have more than one child wishing to take part.
How can I register my child?
To find out more information and to register your child, please complete the form below. At the time of registering, a deposit of £50 is required. We hope to start fundraising in the coming weeks, beginning with a sponsored hill climb at Criffel (near Dumfries) and all young people registered prior to it will be invited to take part. Should your child raise the full £400 cost, your deposit will also be refunded. The next payment, £100, will be due in September.