Need ideas for junior high youth group events/retreats

[Robin in Tx]

For mixed gender and for all girls.

 

I'm working with someone to come up with ideas for our junior high program. We want to create an all girls program/ministry that will be relational in purpose (fun stuff that will not be the primary vehicle for bible teaching), and we also want to come up with a couple of ideas for retreats. Right now our high schoolers get to go on a week long summer camp and a winter skip trip. Our elementary aged children get VBS and a weekend camp. So we need something inbetween for the junior highers.

 

We need ideas for girl's ministry events (these could be one day events, one afternoon, one evening or maybe even overnight/weekend events). Just time for the girls to hang out and get to know each other better... I'm actually not a "girly" person so this one is hard for me... what do girls this age like to do? Going to the movies doesn't allow for conversation and getting to know each other better? Any ideas? We can go to people's homes, but what sort of activities should we plan that would be fun for the girls?

 

We also need ideas for a junior high retreat. The junior highers all went to San Antonio for a week once and that was fantastic... we could do that again. Maybe to condos at a beach? Any other ideas?

 

Criteria - can't be real expensive (we have some families with four students in the youth group - we need to make sure they can afford the things we do), and anything we do has to have close proximity to southeast Texas.

 

Thanks for any help!!

 

Robin

[readwithem]

Well :lol: I can't believe I'm responding to a question about youth group but after all you are a dear friend, Robin... :)

 

And I'm with ya on the girly girl things. I don't think it has to be all about that but you'll probably find the rest of the group will enjoy it. Maybe a fashion show to demonstrate how they can dress modestly but fashionably?

 

As for other "get to know you" type things - have a game night with "light" (i.e. not deep thinking) games - w Apples to Apples is a great game and the more the merrier :)

 

Could y'all do a day at Schlitterbahn? Isn't the Galveston one open all year? Maybe they have group or off-season discounts.

 

Maybe a museum - I think all the ones are open late and are free one week night, but that might be a hike for you all.

 

Maybe a service project - helping an older person/family in the church with housework, yardwork, etc. and go for milkshakes afterwards.

 

Really though I think they'll "get" that you're investing in their lives no matter what you do - it might not be this year or even this decade :) but I truly think that eventually they'll look back and realize you have worked to establish a relationship with them - regardless of the "activity" :)

[Robin in Tx]

I thought about you when I posted this... :)

 

Your ideas are perfect! Thank you! I love the idea about helping an older person in the church. And yes, indoor Schlitterbahn would be a lot of fun in the winter.

 

I'm cautiously excited about the new youth pastor - he seems concerned about being intentional and deliberate in all we do. He is totally into having a lot of fun and playing loud music, too, which I'm just going to have to get over :), but other than that I'm very comfortable with his vision. And his willingness to let parents like me step in and influence the program so much.

 

Thank you so much!