Youth ministry finds God in the great outdoors
Fred Goodwin, CMA
http://www.yorkdispatch.com/local/ci_5487035
EYANA ADAH MCMILLAN The York Dispatch
Article Last Updated: 03/21/2007 12:00:12 PM EDT
Daniel Hatterer has learned more than how to handle a few bumps in the
road during his mountain biking ventures with a local extreme sports
ministry.
"I've learned how God is in our lives, that he put you on Earth for a
reason and everybody has a purpose in life," said the 14-year-old. "If
you're having a hard time, just talk to God and ask him to help you
out. It works for me."
Last year, Daniel -- an eighth-grader at Northeastern Middle School --
participated in the first Xstream Youth Ministry mountain biking and
kayaking programs.
Based in East Manchester Township, the ministry uses outdoor
activities to help youth, including those who are considered at-risk
with attention deficit disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity
disorders, low self-esteem, depression, family problems and attachment
disorders.
Set to begin its second year of outdoor youth activities next month,
Xstream is open to youngsters 13-18 who want to learn a different
sport or develop a relationship with God.
Mountain bike programs begin Wednesday, April 4 for boys and Monday,
April 30 for girls. Kayaking and other mountain bike programs will be
held in June and August, said Alycia Meile, the ministry's executive
director.
The group meets several hours once a week for six weeks. Afterward, a
graduation is held and participants' families gather for a picnic.
Sports, study, devotion: "We work with teenagers to help them see that
they have value and they have purpose," she said. "We want to help
them understand they have a uniqueness, help them build up their self-
esteem and have fun learning while they're doing that."
Besides the sports activities, participants also have campfire
devotion with Bible study and discussions on what they
learned about God and themselves during the recreational times.
Youth who complete the six-week programs are encouraged to become
volunteers for organizations other than Xstream.
Those who complete 35 hours of community volunteer service receive
free mountain bikes, Meile said.
"We want them to be able to take what they learn here out to the
community and help others," she said. "We want them to understand that
they have a lot to offer."
Daniel said he plans to do community volunteer work to get a mountain
bike. But for now, he's keeping busy with youth group activities at
Saginaw Community Church, which he attends. He also is a member OF Boy
Scout Troop 31 in Mount Wolf.
Helps others learn: And he's an Xstream ministry volunteer, helping
load and unload mountain bikes and kayaks, as well as helping clean
and repair bikes. He also helps other youths learn mountain biking
techniques.
"You learn things about other people, you're making friends and
sharing your personal experiences with them," Daniel said. "I can
relate to what they're going through. I just want them to know that
things happen for a reason and God will help you and show you which
way to go."
Xstream ministry gives Daniel an opportunity to interact with
youngsters from other school districts and shows youth that they're
not alone when they're struggling with life's challenges, said his
mother, Cheryl Hatterer.
"I'm a single mother, and this group is another arm of positive
influence for Daniel to have in his life, to get the attention and
mentoring he's not getting from the absent parent," she said. "And
Daniel enjoys meeting nice kids he wouldn't have gotten to meet
otherwise."
About the ministry
Xstream Youth Ministry is inviting parents and caregivers to register
youth ages 13 to 18 for the ministry's outdoor activities, which begin
next month. Each program runs six weeks.
A mountain biking program begins April 4 for boys and April 30 for
girls. The programs run from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays for boys and
Mondays for girls.
Summer Whitewater Kayaking I, for boys and girls, starts June 18, with
sessions held 6 to 9 p.m. Mondays.
A second kayaking series begins Aug. 2 and runs 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Thursdays.
Registration for each program is $35. Payment arrangements are
available for families with limited income. Registration deadline for
the April mountain biking programs is March 28.
To register, call 266-2251 or visit the ministry's Web site at
http://www.xstreamyouthministry.org
Bill M
"Fred Goodwin, CMA" <fgoo...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1174587814.3...@y80g2000hsf.googlegroups.com...
Chuck Whealton
Sounds like an absolutely great program. We're very lucky that there
are people around who care enough about young people to start programs
like this.
Don't get me wrong, personally I prefer the tranquality of hiking
versus riding, but to each their own. Either way, the program's goals
are great.
Charles R. Whealton
Charles Whealton @ pleasedontspam.com