Rafting Details and Parent Newsletter

Yet another new issues of Youth Specialities Parent Newsletter: Real World Parents!

My favorite quote this week:

Kids go where there is excitement. They stay where there is love.
- Zig Ziglar


Just a reminder--I'll be on vacation all week, so not in the office. Emails may or may not (likely, the latter) be returned. Forms and payment for the rafting trip can be turned in to the secretary during regular office hours. On Monday, Aug. 3rd, we are meeting at J.I.M.'s Place at 1:30 pm!

What to Pack?? For Camping...

Sleeping Bag and Pillow
Appropriate pajamas (remember, you may have to get up at 3am to pee!)
Allergy meds/inhaler/OTC meds as needed
Any toiletries—there is a showerhouse at the site, if you so wish!

For Rafting...

Swimsuit
Clothes (shorts, tshirt) to wear over swimsuit
Sneakers, water shoes, or Tiva-type sandals—No Flip Flops!
Sunscreen
Towel and dry clothes for the trip home

Real World Parents, presented by Youth Specialities

Take a look at this week's parent newsletter from our friends at Youth Specialities!

Thought For the Day

"God puts us through the good times, so we can show others how we praise Him through those times. God lets us journey through the hard times so we can show others how we praise Him through those times, as well." -Francis Chan

White Water Rafting

For those who were curious for more info on the White Water Rafting Trip, here's a quote from the NARR (narr.com) website:

Lower New River Trips
This is our most popular trip, and a great introduction to whitewater rafting! The Lower New River starts slow, builds momentum gradually and delivers some mighty punches - at all water levels. You are small in the vastness of the scenic and lush gorge. The rush of the rapids makes you feel otherwise. Commercially guided trips are required to use rafts on the Lower New and NARR offers two raft formats: Standard (maximum nine plus guide) and High Adventure (maximum five plus guide).

It's mostly class II-III rapids with a couple class IV thrown in. I've rafted this a few times and enjoyed it a lot! There's a guide in every boat and they take great care of you. Sign-ups have ended but if you still want to go, I need to know ASAP! We've got a solid group of 30 kids and adults so far. Cost is $85 and I need your $20 deposit this week, plus forms. The NARR form and the church medical form are by the Youth Room door. You do need to fill out the church medical one...we have to do new ones every year.

Heeeeyy Mommmm!

Here's the link to this week's Real World Parents Newsletter. Speaking of which...parents, mark your calendars for the Fall Parent Meeting on Monday, August 10 at 7pm in the Youth Room.

Half-Way?!

We are currently halfway through our summer! Unbelievable, isn't it? Seems like I just began planning for summer activities, and most of them are either in progress or finished! We returned from Reach nearly two weeks ago and (hopefully!) we've all recovered. This was my second year and while there were challenges of course, this week really was awesome. Our youth are fantastic and it's been a real honor to watch God work in their lives.

Moving on to bigger and better (if possible!)...Hot Summer Nights, our 3-week series on relationships, began last week and continues again tomorrow. We'll be discussing topics such as the ways guys and girls view dating relationships, what the Bible says about sex, "how far is too far" (how I love that question!), and redemption. We also have guest speakers--this week, our new Christian Ed director, Jessica Moser, and her husband, Adam.

Mini Golf Mondays began yesterday...this is another 3 week series but it's full-on competition! We meet at Tuscora Park at 3pm and the best average score at the end wins the Golden Putter. Even if you're a little over par, it's still fun--the ice cream afterward is soo worth it! After yesterday's game, Graham Sabo is in the lead! Who can beat him??