Tubing with the "Youth Group"

Because Ron and I were both active in our church youth groups growing up, we hoped our kids would enjoy youth group as much as we did. It's been disappointing to see Tyler not really enjoy it now that he's old enough to attend. He tries. He goes to church and tries to make friends, but he leaves discouraged. The big thing there is playing sports video games before the services, and he has never been interested in those. He tried to play once but got made fun of. He doesn't really have any friends there, either. Ron and I have talked about looking for another church in our town so he might have some school friends there, but we have to think about the needs of our entire family, not just him. The decision is just not as easy as it seems it should be. Oddly enough, he found what we were hoping he'd find at church in a place I didn't expect...his public school.

Remember that day I had van "problems"? The activity Tyler went to after school was a Young Life program for jr high schoolers called Wyld Life. They play crazy games, have devotionals, and do activities together. There are two teachers, a youth pastor, and a couple other adults that lead it. Tyler has gone to every meeting since that day, and he has really enjoyed it. (I wanted him to get involved in an extracurricular activity, so this was an added bonus!) When he describes the crazy games and things they do, it sounds just like the youth group meetings Ron and I remember. That's what we were looking for.

Last night the group went tubing. I drove one way and stuck around to take pictures for a little while. Tyler also wore my GoPro on his head and got some videos and pictures. He rode back with some friends when the activity was over. He had such a good time.

(GoPro)

 

(GoPro)