• * Meaningful worship and leadership in worship.
• * Practical application of Bible study.
• * Fun and fellowship with other youth.
• * Outreach to unchurched youth.
• * Service to God at church, in the community and in the world.
• * Attendance at summer camps, retreats and gatherings.
• * Family involvement in all youth activities.

Elementary

Social activities that encourage fun, fellowship and faithful actions take place quarterly for 3rd-5th graders. Events range from a visit to Pirate's Cove to a Hawaiian Luau.

Middle School

Middle school youth have monthly opportunities for growth, fellowship and fun. They may go tubing at Deer Mountain, take a trip to Evans Plunge in Hot Springs or enjoy an intergenerational game night. On alternating years, middle school youth are invited to participate in a summer mission trip or a summer fellowship trip. Our game rooms are open after school on Wednesdays.

Summer Church Camps

• 3rd and 4th graders traditionally attend Outlaw Ranch every summer. This Lutherans Outdoors camp (near Custer) has cabins nestled in ponderosa pine and a lodge that overlooks a meadow. A stream that flows into Bismarck Lake completes this restful setting, which is ideal for nurturing Christian relationships.
  
  
• 5th and 6th graders attend Atlantic Mountain Ranch, another LO camp. Also near Custer, this ranch is tucked into the Black Hills and offers a more primitive camping experience. The campers sleep in an old fort, pump their own water, cook on an open fire and manage to survive without electricity.
• 7th - 10th graders are invited to Klein Ranch, a popular horse camp on the high plains. The youth spend their nights in a barn and their days riding, doing ranch chores and taking part in an authentic western experience in a Christian environment.
  
  

Special Opportunities

• South Dakota Synod Youth Gathering - Every year, high school youth from across the state gather to attend this special event, which includes a dynamic speaker and outstanding music.
• ELCA National Youth Gathering - Once every three years, the National Youth Gathering held in a different cities through- is out the United States, offering youth a once-in-a-lifetime experience to affirm their faith in mass worship, worships, music and service. The next gathering is in San Antonio, Texas, in 2006.
  
  
• Senior Breakfast - The junior class plans and serves this annual breakfast, which honors and congratulates our graduating high school seniors.
• Church Sports Leagues - High school youth are invited to participate in adult softball and golf leagues.
• Harvest of Crafts Bazaar - This annual youth fund-raiser has become a beloved family affair for our congregation and community, with the proceeds going to the National Youth Gathering.
• Palm Sunday Pancakes and other fund-raisers are offered to campers and other groups of youth to help with registration and travel costs.
• Ski Trip - An out-of-state ski trip is offered in the spring, offering youth a chance to build relationships in Christ while enjoying the beauty of nature.

Activities that encourage faith development, fun and fellowship take place twice a month for high school students. High school youth may shoot video for a Video Scavenger Hunt, hike up Bear Butte or learn about hunger in our world through the 30-Hour Famine. Free lunch is served at the church once a month during the school year to all high school students and their friends. Summer trips are on a three-year rotation cycle, and include the National Youth Gathering, a mission trip and an adventure trip. Senior high youth also plan the Easter Sunrise Service and various youth services throughout the year.

Service Opportunities

• Summer of Service (S.O.S.) - Middle school youth are invited to live out their faith during the summer months by serving others. S.O.S. offers a service opportunity in the morning and a fun activity in the afternoon. Service opportunities have included nursing home visits, preparing meals for Cornerstone Rescue Mission and Habitat for Humanity volunteers, and visits to Black Hills Workshop. High school students assist with S.O.S. and serve meals at the mission.
• Christmas Servant Event - This annual servant event provides food and gifts for needy families in our community during the season of our Savior's birth. Middle and high school youth and their families, along with other adult groups in the congregation, are invited to participate.
• Service Projects - Because service is an important component of our youth statement of mission, servant events are offered in conjunction with the Wednesday evening confirmation program. Projects include making blankets for local service agencies, sending care packages to college students, visiting nursing homes and making meals for shut-ins.

Here are several ways we inform the young people about upcoming youth events. They include:

• The Rock - This youth newsletter is mailed monthly to all 6th-12th graders and contains a calendar, pictures and program information.
• Youth Bulletin Board - Pictures, sign-up sheets and information about activities are posted in the Koinonia Room.
• Parish News - This monthly congregational newsletter also includes information about youth news and events.
• Life Lines - This weekly publication contains youth reminders and announcements.