Summer and Fall

Hey Everyone!

Here's what's up:

There are no regular meetings in June or July. But we will have three events:

1. Hike to Grassy Ridge on Saturday, June 21st. We hope everyone can come out for this.
2. Church retreat with events for youth, Saturday, June 28th.
3. Overnight camping for youth, July 25th and 26th (Friday-Saturday).
   

For the school year:

1. We begin with the Holston Presbytery Youth Rally, August 10th in Greeneville.
2. A day service project to Asheville on some Saturday this Fall.
   
3. A big trip to Atlanta over the Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend, Jan. 17-19, 2009.

Here is the big question. It has been suggested that we have our youth meetings for both middle school and senior high during the 11:00 hour on Sunday, like the other religious education classes. This would be our regular meeting. Then, at least once per month, we would have some other event (overnight, fun event, service event). The idea is that we might more easily swing that then trying to get regular evening meetings on Sundays.

Let's think about this over the summer. We can work on things to do such as folks to lead the middle school and the senior high (Martin Hall and the Tom Dixon Room are not being used at that time). We can work on curriculum and of course planning for our service projects.

I am on vacation and will return mid-June. We can talk further then!

Youth Rally Planning Team

I have been asked to be the director of the youth rally this coming August. We have gone to the last two. This is the big event that starts off the school year and connects middle and high school youth from around the presbytery. I am putting together a team to plan for it.

I am wondering if any of you, youth or adults, would like to help me plan for this. I asking other youth and adults around the presbytery to help with the planning as well.

The requirements would be:

1. ONE planning meeting on Tuesday June 17th at 7 p.m. (probably at the campus house), and
2. Attendance at the Rally which will be at First Presbyterian Church, Greeneville, on the afternoon of Sunday, August 10th.
   

The big thing is your availability for both of these dates. Can you help us out?

Please let me know ASAP by returning this e-mail or by calling my cell at 943-0634. I am going on vacation for three weeks beginning Monday so I need to take care of this over the weekend. If you say YES then Jim Kirkpatrick will send you a reminder early in June.

Here is the blog entry from last year's rally!

Thanks!
John

Final Meeting Before Summer

Hey Everyone!

Our final meeting before summer is Sunday, May 25th at 5:30. We will make a quick summer event schedule.

Natalie and Allison Sheffey invite you to watch them play softball this Friday. The Ramblers will be playing 3 games Friday night at Winged Deer Park starting at 6:00. The admission is 5.00 per person but I will see if I can get a "group rate" if any of the youth come.

How many can make it? Let me or Deborah Sheffey know! It will be fun to cheer them on!

Who else has cool stuff going on this summer? Let me know so I can put it on the blog. We want to be there for each other!

Holston Camp News

Announcing ... TWO additional summer programs for 2008!

PATHFINDERS;

a Main Camp summer program for youth 10-11 years.

June 15-20 and July 6 -11!

Dear Campers, Parents, and Camp fans:

Camp will now offer TWO additional summer programs for 2008! Pathfinders, a Main Camp program for youth 10-11 years, will take place June 15-20 and July 6–11.

After reviewing camper enrollment for this summer, including Pathfinders proved to be an easy addition. Many camp supporters find a choice to be in Main Camp essential for this age group. And, many families want an opportunity to bring all of their children to camp on the same week, especially with increasing gas prices. We planned to address these concerns with the 2009 schedule, but decided to take advantage of this year's program flexibility.

Finding a set of choices that enable you to attend your camp is our highest priority. Families who already registered for camp are welcome to choose different sessions. To do this, contact our office. We look forward to sharing this summer with you!

Thank you for communicating with us about these concerns.

Valerie

____________
Valerie Taylor
Summer Program & Marketing Director
Holston Presbytery Camp
Post Office Box 428
Banner Elk, NC 28604
828-898-6611
www.holstoncamp.org

Holston Camp

Patti Davison, who keeps us connected with Holston Camp, sent this:

Holston Camp has 2 registered campers from our church:

1. Sam
2. Rion

Anyone else interested? Visit their website at www.holstoncamp.com

Thanks,
Patti

May Calendar

Here is what is on tap for youth in May:

Dinner and Movie! Friday, May 9th at 6 p.m. Youth are encouraged to come at 5:15 to help us serve and set up. Can you help?

Virginia Creeper Trail! Saturday, May 10th.

Youth Groups:

May 11, 18, 25: Middle School and Senior Highs meet at 5:30. Vivian Haile will lead the senior highs. Debbie Sheffey, Julie Martin, and I will lead Middle School.


Senior Highs will watch and discuss Theologians Under Hitler.



The Holston Valley Unitarian Universalist Senior High Youth Group has invited us to watch the film, Why We Fight? on May 16th.

Their youth have been doing some great work with the Department of Peace. They led worship in their church regarding it a couple weeks ago. Here is the announcement and invitation:

"The HVUUC Senior High Youth Group invites you to a showing of the film, "Why We Fight" Friday night, May 16th, 7 p.m. in the HVUU Sanctuary. Refreshments will be provided. Discussion will be invited. The movie had a big effect on many of us when we watched it at our social action retreat in January, and we would like everyone to have a chance to see it. In promoting the U.S. Department of Peace, at the very least, we seek a balance of interests from our government."

So what is going on in your life? Anything we can cheer you on about? If you are in any sports, band, or other activities, we want to put them on our schedule.

Let me know! E-mail me!