Youth Caravan

The summer after my freshman year, after I got back my week in Juarez, Mexico, I participated in a youth ministry that was formed out of the Wesley Foundation called Youth Caravan. During the summer 4-5 college students spend the summer in the “Red Stripe Van” going around to different youth groups in the south east and bring “camp” to them.

The year I went it was the four of us pictured above. We had all just finished our freshman year of undergrad and were very involved with Wesley. The guys were great friends (& still are) and us girls were roommates for the rest of college & she was one of my bridesmaids as well. Back to the whole idea of Wesley being the center of where a good many relationships bloomed in my life. That summer we visited 14 churches and were housed in various places (usually one of the families from the church would house the guys and another the girls) along the way spending our “breaks” in Auburn or at the lake.

This was taken several years later – how we changed!

Our theme was “Walk This Way” and we had this opening video we showed each group we visited, and I’m not gonna lie, it was hilarious! I have the DVD of it (no more VHS options of trips haha) but just imagine the Areosmith song playing and us playing different roles strutting around Auburn and lip-sinking. Hilarity. We had five different topics that we covered during our time with the churches and each was it’s own stand out session. In our intro video, each had a song that went along with each one, and each one us us lead one of the sessions and the accompanying activity and the last one we did all together. Our activities ranged from a “snowless” snowball fight (flour in panty hose), a dress up contest, eating ice cream out of a gutter – while their hands were tied together, a really run, and assembling a life-size cross – hammering the nails in and everything. We did lock-ins, bowling, cookouts, swim parties, canoeing, and even camping. And we ate a lot of pizza and chicken fingers! This doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface of all we taught the kids and all we did that summer, but there’s just not even enough time to explain it all. It really was one pretty unforgettable summer!

One of the most creative, enthusiastic, and draining summers of my life! Preparation for Camp Ozark for certain, and other full length mission trips . I have a lot of respect for youth ministers after this experience 🙂

But onward to answer your more practical questions…

What is Youth Caravan?

The Youth Caravan is a team of Christian young adults on a summer mission geared toward youth ministry.  These college students provide a variety of programs designed to enhance the spiritual lives of youth.  The Youth Caravan team visits about 16-20 churches as well as several youth camps and rallies.  Our mission:  spreading God’s light in new and exciting ways through songs, educational programs, games and fellowship. 

You can expect the team to open their hearts to every youth they encounter.  Whether three days or a week-long stay, the Caravan team strives to develop relationships among the youth that will nurture and encourage ongoing spiritual growth.  In years past, Caravan Team members have been instrumental in exemplifying to youth how a walk with Christ is a walk for life—from youth, to college, to adulthood.

The Youth Caravan is prepared to  spend from two to five days with your youth. Each year the team develops six or seven programs to offer a variety of emphasis and topics.  There is also an overarching theme that ties the programs together.  Generally, the team will deliver one, roughly two hour program each day.  They are also available for activities with the youth planned by you during the rest of the day.

In May, the program topics will be announced and the church youth leaders will receive a program selection list.  Youth Caravan always strives to design programs that present the Scriptures in an exciting manner, subtly helping the youth to realize God’s awesome presence in their lives.