Fish Lake Lutheran Church - Harris, MN > Youth & Family Ministries

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Fish Lake Lutheran Church, ELCA | 43353 Cedarcrest Trail, Harris, MN

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	Why Such a Great Program?
	Why Such a Great Program?
	Because of its Vision, Purpose, and History. Vision A Gospel-centered approach to community service connecting churches of various denominations and youth organizations. Purpose To give incoming 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th grade youth a safe, healthy place to belong where they can contribute to the community along with socializing with their peers. History Summer Stretch was developed by Minnesota native Tim Clark to address several concerns about youth entering 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th grade. There are many youth in this age group who are unsupervised for large periods of time during the day because both parents work or because they come from a single parent home and that parent works. They are too old for child care or child care is too expensive and they are too young to run unsupervised. There is a need to reconnect and reinvest young people in the community. The earlier we begin with our young people, the more effective we can be, and service is a very effective way. Summer often means a drop in the level of contact churches have with their youth. However, it also offers an opportunity to work with this age group in ways that are not possible during the school year. Summer Stretch has been a great alternative.

Summer Stretch is a metro-wide mission and ministry experience for incoming 6th - 12th graders.

We at Fish Lake join together with over 70 other churches for local community service projects, every Wednesday in the Summer, in the morning and fantastically fun activities in the afternoon. Summer Stretch certainly stretches you in faith and helps you grow closer to God and closer with friends. This is a great opportunity for you to meet lots of new friends from other churches, to help the community, and to have tons of fun. It is also a great way to serve as High School Age leaders. 10th - 12th graders are invited to be on Summer Stretch Staff to help lead devotions, songs, and supervise service sites.

Wednesdays in the Summer consist of a service project in the morning and a fellowship in the afternoon. Here are some of the places and sites we served and played at in the past:

Adopt-a-Highway Roadside Cleanup, Parmly LifePointes Center, Feed My Starving Children - Kids Against Hunger, Weeding at an Organic Farm, Adopt-a-River Cleanup on the Sunrise River, Pulling Knapweed at Wild River State Park, Family Pathways, Food Shelf Collection, Beach Blast and Pizza Party, Game Day with St. Mark's Lutheran,North St. Paul, Bunker Hills Wave Pool, Wild Mountain Water Park, End of Summer Celebration at VALLEYFAIR!

Contact the church office, Carrie Stiles, or Pastor Dale for more information regarding Summer Stretch. Enrollment continues to increase each year.

Remember to check out the Weekly Summer Stretch UPDATE - lots of important info that you need to know!

Summer Stretch UPDATE - June 22, 2011

Summer Stretch UPDATE - June 29, 2011

Summer Stretch UPDATE - July 6, 2011

Summer Stretch UPDATE - July 13, 2011

Summer Stretch UPDATE - July 20, 2011

Summer Stretch 2012

Download Registration and Medical Liability Release Forms

What is Summer Stretch?

Summer Stretch is for all youth going into 6th grade through those finishing 12th.

We’ll get together Wednesdays from 9:00am to 4:30pm for a fun day of challenging and rewarding experiences.

We’ll spend the morning doing service, have lunch together, and spend the afternoon sharing fun activities like bowling, waterslides, or a baseball game.

We will end the summer having fun together at Valleyfair.

Summer Stretch is a great way to meet people, have fun, and do something important. This summer we will delve into how Jesus promises that when we care for those in need it is just like caring for Jesus himself!

Can you do that for Jesus?

Find out this summer!

Parent Committment

To help keep our cost down, we require all parents to commit to drive students at a minimum of one full day. If you are not able to do this you will need to talk to Carrie before signing up.

We are also asking that you find other arrangements for younger siblings, with the exception of Valleyfair.

Small group leaders are also needed. Talk to Carrie to find out how you can help with this.

Wanna Be A Student Leader?

Must be at least 15 and entering 10th Grade
Must regularly participate in worship
Must be available for the Wednesdays of Summer Stretch and the Thursday of Valleyfair
Plan to participate in a training session the Wednesday before the beginning of Summer Stretch, June 9th
Must be willing to share their faith in Jesus Christ and model a servant faith to other youth, in our neighborhoods, and in the community.