Summer Camp 2023 Dates
Meet the Regional Youth Council 2022-23
The Regional Youth Council represents the children and youth of the Region. Through their presence and leadership they provide an example of what a local youth group can be and can do. RYC advocates for children and youth in their communities, congregations, and the Region. Youth members of the Regional Youth Council serve a two (and sometimes three) year term. RYC is a group of sophomores, juniors, and seniors in high school from congregations around the Region. The adults that serve on RYC are conversation partners, listeners, guides, and co-learners as RYC develops and sharpens their leadership skills.
Meet the RYC through 10 Questions:
What is one thing on your bucket list?
What words or phrases do you most overuse?
What is one of your weird quirks?
What is your relationship with God like?
Describe yourself in 3 words.
What is one thing that annoys you the most?
What will you do with your 15 minutes of fame?
What is one thing about your church you would change?
What is your comfort food?
You’ve got a free afternoon, will you: read, listen to music, watch a movie, or . . .?
Zaylee Skidmore-Beaney
First Christian Church Sulphur
Gabe Cartwright
First Christian Church Sulphur
Derek Day
New Covenant Christian Church Oklahoma City
To go to a NFL game
Bro
I like to fidget with things
God Is always present in my daily life
Friendly – Funny – Kind
Stepping on gum
Spread positivity
I would go back to traditional communion
Bagel bites
Play video games
Eli Dew
First Christian Church El Reno
Visit every European country
Heck yea
I’m really into murder documentaries.
Improving
Determined – Bold – Curious
People who don’t dim their bright headlights.
Meet Donald Glover
Participation
BBQ Mac and Cheese with chicken nuggets
Play video games
Kyston Haines
First Christian Church El Reno
Travel
Bro
I like meat smokers.
Distant. I keep in touch, but I also do not know God on a day to day basis.
Confident – Honest – Competitive
Laziness
Enjoy every blessing from God.
Food staff
Smoked chicken
Listen to music.
Maryanne Heim
First Christian Church Cherokee
Be in a band
That’s interesting, “Thumbs up”
I’m left handed, but only when it comes to writing
Rocky, there’s ups and downs
Musical – Thinker – Introvert
Stepping in something wet
Nothing, I don’t ever want to be famous
Worship
Pasta/Noodles
Hangout with friends, skateboard
Lauren Hemm
Forest Park Christian Church Tulsa
Meet someone famous
Bro
Love Musicals
Testing
Caring – Bubbly – Fun
People thinking they are above everyone else or homophobia.
Spread positivity
Expand the youth group
Chocolate
Go to the movies or hang out with friends.
Jasmin Pickens
First Christian Church Sulphur
Paige Waldrip
Central Christian Church Enid
Hike a glacier in Switzerland
Y’all and Whoa
I always have to have something to drink with me.
My relationship with God is like driving on the highway. I can be smooth until something gets in the way and then it gets stressful and slower.
Loud – Nice – Ambitious
People making random noises with their mouths.
I would help people find ways to cope with anxiety and strengthen their relationships with God and others.
I would help it be more open to change.
Potato soup.
I would read or be on Tiktok.
Travis Carlson
First Christian Church Chickasha
Egypt. I have always been fascinated by that ancient society.
Literally, it is literally the word literally.
Spaghettios and pringles.
Questioning and embracing
Weird-Punctual-Fun (picked by my 5th girls class)
Being Late
Try to get a free tank of gas.
Greater college involvement.
Tacos
Play Dungeons and Dragons or paint D&D miniatures
Shannon Cook
First Christian Church Norman
Around the world cruise.
Why?
Must brush my teeth before showering.
Like a path that winds and curves and God is a constant alongside.
Caring – Curious – Thoughtful
People who lie.
Feed the whole world.
Consistent inclusive language.
Mac and Cheese.
Read or nap
Tara Dew
First Christian Church El Reno
Go to Hawaii
Struggle Bus
Can’t say the word “idea” correctly
The ocean: it comes and goes like the waves.
Caring – Loud – Loving
Whining
Try to help others
More money to help others
Mexican food
Take a nap
Eula Hledik
New Covenant Christian Church Oklahoma City
Fly – Sky Dive
Cool or Don’t cha know
I eat the chocolate off my 3 Musketeers bar and then I enjoy the center.
I am in awe. The Holy loves me, shows me mercy and grace even though I do not deserve it. Because of this I can accomplish so much than I ever imagined. The Holy instills courage.
Loving – Welcoming – Fun
Throwing out the first pitch at a Cubs game at Wrigley Field.
That it be Open and Affirming
My Chicken & Dumplings
Hike while listening to music or go to the Zoo with my grandkids.
Michael Davison
Associate Regional Minister
Ride a camel to a pyramid and climb it.
Groovy or Far Out
I don’t wear socks except on Sunday, to weddings, to funerals, and some hospital visits.
A wrestling match.
Liminal – Extrovert – Pondering
Social Media or Being a Bad Fan (that’s me)
Skin Cancer Awareness to Fund a Cure
Following Fad Theology
Rice
Listen to my Pink Floyd collection on vinyl or hang out with my companion
RYC Advent Devotional
Members of the Regional Youth Council were asked to consider what the traditional themes of Advent (hope, peace, joy, and love) can mean in times like these. This Advent devotion is divided into weeks and members of RYC, with some guest writers, offer you an opportunity to journey with them through Advent.
Week 1: In times like these what are you hoping for? How are you being Hope for others?
Week 2: In times like these what peace have you experienced? What Peace can you offer?
Week 3: In times like these what brings you joy? How can you offer Joy?
Week 4: In times like these how or when have you experience love? How are you offering Love?
Christmastide: In times like these how will you embody the spirit of Christmas?
CLICK HERE to visit our dropbox and download the ebook in PDF format.
Summer Camp Update #5
Summer Camp Registration Closes May 6th
Don’t wait until the last minute to register!
Chi Rho Camp, CYF Conference, and Junior Camp are at 50% capacity or more.
Discovery Day Camp and Mission Camp Enid are filling up!
Our Summer Camp Season is just over a month away! On June 6th, our volunteer counselors and directors will gather at Oakridge Camp to make final preparations for Chi Rho Camp that begins the afternoon of June 7th. Yes, we are offering overnight summer camps this year! Back in February, the Commission for Children, Youth, and Young Adults created Covid-19 procedures and policies that will guide our camps and with everyone’s cooperation mitigate the possible spread of Covid-19 to campers, adult volunteers, or to families when camper return home. It will be a great, fantastic, meaning-filled return of summer camp because your camper helped create Holy ground this summer.
Overview: Covid-19 Procedures and Policies
- Mask Required for Campers and Counselors
- Covid-19 Rapid Test at Check-In for Camp
- Small Groups Limited to 8 youth and 2 adults
- Campers will be with their small group throughout the day
- Hand Sanitizer, Physical Distance, Primarily Outdoor Activities
- Camp Sizes Limited
- Click here to download the latest Covid-19 Procedures & Policies
Contact Rev. Michael Davison mdavison at okdisciples dot org if you have questions.
Summer Camp Update #4
We are excited to announce Mission Camp: Enid!
Our friends at Reach Beyond Mission have decided to cancel their multi-state program for this summer. We understand and keep this quality, Disciples related organization in our prayers. We had planned for Mission Camp Road Show to travel to Albuquerque with Reach Beyond Mission. Instead, twenty-four (24) youth will be welcomed to Central Christian Church in Enid for a week of learning about food insecurity in Enid and serving our food insecure neighbors in Enid and Garfield Co.
Rev. Tom Stanley (Minister at Central CC Enid) will direct Mission Camp and work with = six (6) adult counselors. Like our other camps, they will blend play, prayer, study, worship, and SERVICE each day of this unique opportunity. You can download the flyer and registration is OPEN!
Register for summer camp Here, or visit the Families and Youth webpage to learn more.
Next DRYG: October 28
Reconnect with God
Digital Regional Youth Group began last month (Sept 23rd) as five congregations met up with Regional Youth Council members. The fall theme, Reconnect with God, invites Chi Rho, CYF, and their adult sponsors to consider the ways they are actively meeting God through spiritual practices, music, service, and community. We had 24 participants in September. Let’s make it 45 or more this month.
There is time to chat, a game or two, and time with the speaker. There is a short closing worship. Join DRYG this month!
Digital Regional Youth Group
6:30pm – 8pm
October 28: Music
November 18: Service
December 16: Community
Youth Leaders Email Rev. Michael Davison to RSVP to receive the link for DRYG.
Sept 23: Digital Regional Youth Group Begins
Like all our congregations and clergy, the Regional Youth Council is improvising and adapting to offer opportunities for the Region’s youth groups to play, pray, worship, study, and serve. This fall, RYC is offering four digital youth group gatherings for Chi Rho and CYF on the theme, Reconnect with God.
These monthly gatherings will last 90 minutes and meet via Zoom. To maintain the security of our meetings we ask youth group leaders will need to register. Email Michael Davison for more information.
DRYG (Digital Regional Youth Group) kicks off Sept 23rd, with the focus on spiritual practice to reconnect with God. Our Guests are: Rev. Nancy Brink and Andra Moran.
DRYG is planned and led by the Regional Youth Council.
Q: How do I get my group to DRYG (digital regional youth group)?
A: To access DRYG youth group leaders need to email Rev. Michael Davison who will send them connection information to share with their group(s).
Upcoming Dates & Theme
October 28: Music
November 18: Service
December 16: Community
Schedule for DRYG
6:25pm: Digital Room Opens
6:30: The Fun Begins!
7:55: Preview Next Month
8:00: We bid you goodnight
Rev. Nancy E. Brink, the Donna (Ford) and Fahmy Attallah Endowed Director of Church Relations at Chapman University.
Rev. Brink will talk about centering prayer and offer other practices youth might explore.
Andra Moran lives in Nashville, Tennessee where she works as a songwriter, singer, author, worship designer and freelance touring musician in a variety of ecumenical settings. In addition to her work in concert and commissioned music, Andra is a consultant in worship design, modern liturgical music and leadership in churches and denominational conferences across the country. She is regularly engaged as a clinician and workshop leader, teaching songwriting and creative expression in colleges and retreat centers. Currently, Andra tours and writes full time, and works part time on the staff of Woodmont Christian Church in Nashville as the Creative Director and worship pastor. She has a four year old daughter named after the heirloom lilies in that bloom in her garden.
Time for Virtual Vacation Bible School
The Region is excited to announce our Virtual VBS Program is available to use. Based on the summer camp curriculum, This Is Our Prayer, Virtual VBS uses videos to lead you through four days of self-guided learning activities that are intergenerational. You decide when to do VBS from home. Maybe your congregation wants to do the activities together using video conferencing technology? Maybe your congregation wants to use Virtual VBS together, socially distanced, in your building or outdoors?
Each day includes:
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An Opening Thought
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Singing
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Bible Story for the Day
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Craft Projects
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A Way to Serve
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STEM and a Game
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Prayer Practice and Closing
All the items you need for the crafts are listed in downloadable PDF format including the words to the songs to sing along. Items you need for other activities are included in the videos.
Virtual VBS will be on our website through August 15th.
Click Here to Register!
Thank You Virtual VBS Team
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Rev. Darlene Martinez
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Ashley Pease
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Rev. Julia Jordan Gillett
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Chris Fourcade
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Rev. Sarah Combs
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Ellen Beer (website design and support)
What do you love about camp?
Junior Camp Bytes begins its second day with 17 campers and 7 adults. The image above is during worship.
Virtual Vacation Bible School
Covid-19 (coronavirus) has changed the ways we participate in congregational life and the things congregations offer during the summer. Vacation Bible School is a summer tradition for many congregations and it has a long, rich history as a part of our denomination’s outreach ministry. The Region asked a group to create an intergenerational VBS that can be done at home. This self-guided VBS is designed for families to do together. Congregations may want to use video conferencing for some or all of the activities to do together as another way of connecting their members.
Virtual VBS is a four day program that is designed to last a couple of hours each day. A short registration form is required to access the VBS. Registration opens June 18th and Virtual VBS will publish on June 22.
We give thanks for the talents, gifts, and dedication of the Virtual VBS Team, and offer our thanks to their congregations for gifting their time to this project.
Watch the short video to meet the team: Rev. Darlene Martinez, Rev. Julia Jordan-Gillett, Chris Fourcade, and Rev. Sarah Combs