Youth Pursuits is a new program designed for kids in kindergarten through high school to reach youth through things they love to do like sports, music, drama, adventure, art and more while growing their relationship with Christ, building positive leadership and character qualities, and gaining new friends! Check out the programs we have for Summer 2023!
You Perform
Wednesday nights: May 10–June 14 6:45–8:00 p.m. Students in Grades K–4 *Cost: $50
This six-session experience will provide students in Grades K–4 an opportunity to learn about and practice the performing arts, particularly music, dance, and drama. Students who complete the experience are invited to perform during VBS week (June 19–23) by leading worship and story time. Click HERE to register.
Twists and Turns VBS
June 19–23 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Cost: $25
Life is full of twists and turns that can leave us feeling like we’ve taken one step forward and two steps back. That was certainly the case for Peter. But even when Peter messed up, it wasn’t “Game Over.” God still worked through Peter to help others learn about Jesus. As kids study five of Peter’s encounters with Jesus, they’ll discover that Jesus is holy, trustworthy, forgiving, worth following, and for everyone! Click HERE to register.
You Serve GLOCAL
June 19–22 12:00–4:00 p.m. Students entering Grades 2–5 *Cost: $75
GLOBAL + LOCAL = GLOCAL, which means think global, serve local. You Serve GLOCAL is designed to be a foundational pathway into a life of service and mission for Salem’s youngest attenders. Portions of each camp day will be spent at Salem and out in the community serving at various ministry partners. You Serve GLOCAL follows VBS, but students may register for either camp independent of each other. Camp is $75 with all registration fees going to support ministry partners. Click HERE to register.
You Pet Animal Adventure
June 26–June 29 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. Students entering Grades 1–5 *Cost: $100
Pursue your passion for all the cute, creepy, and crazy critters that God has created. Each day, we will take a field trip to learn about and interact with a variety of animals and experts in the field, marveling at the diversity of creation at every step along the way! Click HERE to register.
You Create
July 17– July 20 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. Students entering Grades K–5 *Cost: $100
Connecting with God’s Word through creative art experiences. Bring your Bibles, your imagination, and a bag lunch each day. At the conclusion of the week on Thursday at 3:00 p.m., families will be invited to view a student-led gallery of the participants’ creations. Click HERE to register.
You Discover
August 7–10 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. Students entering Grades 3–5 *Cost: $100
Science is all about studying the world around us and learning new and exciting things! We will spend the week discovering scientific ways we can see God working through nature, inventions, and exploration. Please bring a bag lunch each day. Click HERE to register.
You Adventure
August 14–17 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. Students entering Grades 6–8 *Cost: $100
Grab your friends and join us for a week of adventuring in the great outdoors! We will enjoy each other’s company through friendly competitions, seek some thrills on Trollhaugen’s zipline and ropes course, explore caves, enjoy water sports, and much more! Click HERE to register.
StepUp! and SAALT
Training: May 3, May 10 5:30–7:00 p.m. Students entering Grades 6+ Cost: $50
Youth Pursuits’ Leadership Program (StepUp! for middle school students and SAALT for high school students) provides opportunity for students to live out their faith through teaching, mentoring, and leadership. Students will be empowered and equipped to assist Salem staff and interns with Youth Pursuits Camps throughout the summer.
The StepUp! and SAALT program begins with a two-day training (May 3 and 10, 5:30–7:00 p.m.) for students to receive instruction in large and small group teaching, leadership, and team building. Students will be equipped to assist with any YP camp of their choice offered during the summer.
Prior to registering for the StepUp! and SAALT program, interested students should view the YP camp descriptions on KidCheck (or below) to see which YP camp(s) they wish to assist at (one week minimum commitment). All interested students should complete and submit a StepUp! and SAALT application form upon registering (see KidCheck attachment for application). The cost for the entire StepUp! and SAALT program (training + assisting weeks) is only $50—and, as a reward for completing this program, StepUp! and SAALT students may participate in two reward days. Click HERE to register.
*Cost increases by $25 after March 1 early registration deadline.
Check out the video below of highlights from 2022 Youth Pursuits!