Planning for youth groups
Starting the Year well.
Looking for inspo for your youth group in 2025? We’ve got plenty of ideas to get you started.
Activities
Though hype activities are not always for every week, there are a few things that we think your young people might find interesting, AND can build some relationship capital.
Drones
Yes, you have read correctly: Drones. SkiesUnlimited is a group that can come out to your church communities and set up some drone activities for your young people to explore. Along with building some team skills, drones are an effective conversational tool to help children explore the world in different ways.
Skies Unlimited want to come out to youth groups and share God’s creation in new ways – as long as your facility meets the safety requirements, then they will be there. If you want to know more email Digger at [email protected].
Messy Miners
Lock it in your diaries, because during wintery months of the year Sandy Brodine and Kelly Woods are going to facilitate four Minecraft sessions exploring scripture and building stories together. The dates for your diaries are:
May 18, June 1, July 27 and August 17.
Add it to your programs as a ‘bonus activity’ or utilise the time to allow for your leaders to have a break while we moderate the digital space. If you’re interested, contact Sandy and we will get the information to you: [email protected].
Pause and Paint: Following on from our successful first Icon writing for Teens event last year, the YG Team is looking forward to hosting “Pause and Paint” again in the September holidays this year. For more details on dates and venue and how to get involved, contact Sandy: [email protected].
Youth rallies
During the year Virginia Lavaki and her team coordinate some incredible youth rallies, where hundreds of young people come together and celebrate their culture with dance, food and worship. If you would like a list of dates and times for your diaries, then contact [email protected], or keep an eye out for the dates in future social media posts or emails.
Studies
Depending on your community, sometimes a study is a great way to help young people connect more with each other and their faith. Here are three options for you to explore.
XPFilmSeries
It is a shallow entry study that helps young people engage in spiritual questions before we add faith to it. It is a great introductory series, especially if you are introducing study nights to your young people before you get into some faith and belief chats.
Animate | Sparkhouse
Sparkhouse has a range of resources available, and it is definitely worth having a look through their website. We are taking a moment to highlight the Animate Series. Though it has been around for a little while, it still holds some great discussions for your teens, and comes with videos and discussion books.
The Wayfinding Bible
The Wayfinding Bible is a great resource that offers three different pathways for reading the bible in one story arc. Depending on how many times you gather, or the reading level of your group, might determine what pathway you follow; and the extra resources on their site makes for a great selection of things to dedicate your time to exploring as a community.
The Resource
Ali Campbell, experienced youth worker from the UK has put together some great free resources for youth. Includes studies, devotions and services. All for free.
Camps
If you’re interested in either sharing available UCA camps to your churches, or coming along as a youth community, then make sure you keep these three (below) in your diary. If you are interested, or would like some more information, then contact Kelly Woods, [email protected], and she will make sure to link you with the camp coordinator.
SYG
State Youth Games is a camp for different churches to come together and play sports (from footy to chess) across the long weekend in June. This year the Synod is gathering together a team of young people from across Uniting Churches.
Date: June 6-9.
Location: Lardner Park – Warrigal VIC.
Age Range: Year 7 and up (young adults included).
Somers Camp, Mornington Peninsula
Somers Camp finds its home in the Port Phillip Presbytery and runs the first week of the July school holidays. A week packed with laughter, friendships and an incredible opportunity to grow your camp experience and culture – it is a camp not to miss.
Date: July 7-11.
Location: Somers, Mornington Peninsula.
Age Range: Grade 3 – Year 9 (Year 10 kids can apply for their leadership program).
September Camp, Lake Tyers
September Camp finds its home in the Gippsland Presbytery and runs the first week of the September school holidays. A week filled with adventure, community and set in an amazing location – it is worth the drive to Lake Tyers for fun, friendship and faith exploration.
Date: September 22-26.
Location: Lake Tyers.
Age Range: Grade 3 – Year 9 (Year 10 kids can apply to be a shadow leader).
For further ideas, training and support, contact the YG Team at [email protected]