Well, its pretty much here. As much as I've tried avoiding saying it, I think the "summer" is on the doorstep knocking. Not only is school nearing its completion, but the summer schedule is out! Teens are heading to prom, making plans for graduation, and parents are starting to fret over what they are going to be doing over the summer....

Well, never fear! We have you covered. The Riverchase teens have an extremely busy summer ahead of them and I am so excited about it. This is going to be one incredible life changing summer!

Now, lets get one thing clear. We at Riverchase don't buy into the idea that keeping kids busy will keep them out of trouble.....we buy into the idea that they are supposed to be doing good anyways! We don't plan hundreds of events just to make sure they are not getting into trouble. We plan hundreds of events to give them opportunities to serve their fellow man because its what they are supposed to be doing. God gave us all a command in Mark 16:15, "He said to them, Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation." Thus, if our schedule seems packed...its because there is a lot to do in this lost and dying world!

We start off our summer by having our "Welcome new "7th" graders" Lock-in! This is a long night of friends, fun, and food. We will spend time getting to know each other before we head into the summer travels. Soon after this, we head down to Montgomery for a day with "Compassion 21". We will be putting on an inner city reading clinic for underprivileged children before spending the afternoon sorting clothes at a homeless shelter.

After a day of washing our buses, we hit the road for a week in Searcy, AR at Harding University's "UPLIFT". This week long event is a great time of learning, bible classes, spiritual growth, and fellowship. This is a great week to get to know some 1000 other Christian teens. Our teens always seek ways to stand out from the group and will be coming up with different ways each day to serve their fellow students while on campus. They always surprise! (last year they cleared tables and picked up after others left messes behind).

A day after we get back from UPLIFT, we hit the road for Elkhorn, Wisconsin to put on the largest VBS in the state of Wisconsin! This week long event is in coordination with the Elkhorn Church of Christ and is always a great time of service.

After a week in Elkhorn, we head to CACY camp for a week of Christian fellowship with the Chisolm Hills, Savannah, and Florence Blvd. Churches of Christ. This is great week with 240 teens, children, and adults of all ages!

After this great week, some will head to Guatemala for a week working in the mountains at mobile medical clinics. This is always a life changing event and all of the teens who have participated in this have always come back completely different people.

Soon, we head to Queens, New York for a week working with the Springfield Gardens Church of Christ. This week of inner city work is a first for us and we cant wait to hit the ground running. Its going to be a tough week but the teens cant wait to go and serve these wonderful folks.

Interspersed in between all of these trips, we also have day events at Rainbow Omega (assisted living home), Childhaven (orphans/foster home), and Worship under the stars (a devo at a members house). We also have our Riverchase VBS!

At the end of the summer we have our grand finale....Big House! This years retreat is held at the beach in Florida and it is always an incredible weekend. Last year we took 104 teens and adults and its going to be even better this year.

whew.....Im tired just writing that! 

May everything we do be to the glory of God....always and forever. Amen.