As Christians, our goal is to model what it looks like to care for others like Christ cares for us and so we ask that you follow all the following procedures to the best of your ability as we move into the next phase of covid reopening

1. Wear your mask if you want. The science shows that beyond vaccinations, mask-wearing is the single easiest and most helpful thing we can do to stop the spread of COVID. St. Paul's is now mask-optional, but that means you can choose to wear a mask, or not wear a mask. Either way, we'll respect your decision!
2. Bring a reusable water bottle - we suggest youth skip drinking straight from water fountains. We can fill our bottles from fountains and faucets multiple times and keeps us from transmitting or receiving various germs. We will have single serve flavor packets (like lemonade) during our time together. Plus, bring a reusable bottle is good for the environment - that's a win-win!
3. During the hour break in-between the two groups, our volunteers and I will be cleaning the commonly touched surfaces in the youth lounge and around the building.
4. We have a new entrance/exit we are asking everyone to use. It allows us to keep better track of who is entering the building - but also makes it easier for you, while the renovation make the parking lot door impossible to access. Our SPY entrance will be at the back of the building - the exterior entrance to the Multipurpose Room, below Fellowship Hall on Fawcett Street. (See picture on right.) This will likely remain our entrance for the entire year, and well into the future.

Of course, we may change these procedures throughout the year to keep our youth, volunteers, and families safe.

We had a great time on the Wilderness Trail Trip in Summer 2022! We will be looking forward to doing it again in 2023.

Wilderness Trail is a backpacking ministry set along the Appalachian Trail in southern Virginia with the aim of participants getting to better know themselves, each other, and God as we hike and camp over 4 days on the trail and 2ish days of activities at "the Property." WT has changed some of their schedule from last year, which includes more of some favorite traditions from a time before COVID.

We generally request slots in late July, toward the end of the Wilderness Trail season.

As always, camperships are available as needed - simply reach out to Micah for a completely confidential conversation about financial aid. If you'd like more information, please contact Micah at msmartt@stpaulsk.org

Did you know...

We do a lot of great things here at St. Paul's Youth, and many are free or fairly inexpensive. However, we do have some events and trips that can cost quite a bit.

We never want a youth to be left out because of money. St. Paul's has a scholarship/campership fund available to help individuals and families cover part or all of the costs associated with youth fellowship, retreat, camp, or service activities. 

These events we attend can be life changing experiences and we don't want anyone to miss out! Don't let an activity's price tag hold you back. Contact Micah Smartt (msmartt@stpaulsk.org or 301-933-7933 ext. 111) to discuss scholarship/campership financial aid needs confidentially, one-on-one.

Our Youth Choir is looking to return... but not this fall.  

Experienced youth singers may find a good fit in the Sanctuary Choir, which rehearses on Sunday mornings and sings each week for worship. For questions or more information, visit our website or email Tom Pedersen, Director of Music, at tpedersen@stpaulsk.org.