Zion Youth Group (ZYG)
fun, faith formation and fellowship
Will you join us?
Club 456
The third Sunday of every month is for all youth in 4th through 6th grades. Gathering from 3pm until 4:30pm, these youth get the chance to play, snack and learn together about how our faith works in our every day lives. It is also a chance for them to develop friendships without the pressure of having to be someone other than themselves. The schedule occasionally changes so check the Zion Youth Group calendar for changing dates. We hope to see you there!
Jr./Sr. High Youth Group
The second Sunday of every month is for all youth in 7th through 12th grades. This group gathers from 6pm until 8:30pm. During these monthly gatherings we explore a specific piece of scripture on a deeper level. We work through each piece of scripture with a series of activities, music and video clips. We also discuss how God is working in our lives each and every day and what that may look like. This time is a chance for teenagers to enjoy each others company and to find a common ground regardless of what exists outside these walls. Please be sure to check the Zion Youth Group calendar in case a date may have changed. We hope to see you there!
Youth Retreats
Each year we offer a one retreat for Jr High and one retreat for Senior High.
Winterfest is held each year in the beginning of December for our Senior High Youth. The event is a large gathering of central PA Lutheran Christians held in the Lancaster area.
Each year, a theme is chosen and a curriculum developed that explores an idea from scripture. Youth are divided into small groups of their peers, led by an adult “small group leader,” chosen for their unique gifts in teaching and accompanying youth. Large group sessions reinforce our scriptural theme and help us place the theme in our current context, helping to feed the topical discussions in small group. Add plenty of opportunities for fellowship, fun, and inspiring worship and singing to the mix, and you’ve got what many participants consider a “must-attend” event.
Alive is held each year at the end of September at Camp Nawakwa for youth in 7th through 9th grade. Youth stay in cabins with their Zion peers and leaders, so this is a great weekend for group building. The youth meet with trained small group leaders for interactive learning and conversation with their peers, allowing them to meet new friends from Lutheran congregations across our synod. Along with the small group learning opportunities, youth can enjoy games, crafts, large group music and singing, evening activities that include a campfire and most recently Capture the Flag, as well as worship at Upper Temple on Sunday, weather-permitting.
Outdoor Ministry Summer Camp
Nawakwa & Kirchenwald
Outdoor ministry is near and dear to the heart of our congregation.
Many breakfasts are have been held throughout the years by our very special Mrs. Akin to aid in sending children and youth to camp. Each summer there are a wide variety of camp opportunities for children and families of all ages to choose from: Family Camp, Classics Camp, Backwards Bizarro Camp, Equestrian Camp, Performing Arts Camp, and Senior 10-Day Camp are just a few.
Our youth bring home incredible (and often funny!) stories of faith formation and life changing experiences at camp. Children, youth, and families make lifelong friendships and deepen their faith at our beautiful camps in the woods!
National Youth Gathering
Every three years, 30,000 high school youth and their adult leaders gather for a week of faith formation known as the ELCA Youth Gathering. This gathering is held in different location in the US, with the next gathering being held in 2022 in Minneapolis, MN.
Through days spent in interactive learning, worship, Bible study, service and fellowship, young people grow in faith and are challenged and inspired to live their faith in their daily lives. Click HERE to see a brief video of what is coming to Minneapolis in 2022.