Next week, one of the biggest youth events of the year is happening: ELCA Youth Gathering in Houston! If you are attending, you know that – after all, by now you’ve already had countless prep meetings, phone calls with parents, and potentially… a few low-grade migraines.
Here at Sparkhouse, we’ve been busy with the same as we get ready to join you at NRG Stadium in Interactive Learning, or as the ELCA likes to refer to it, the Holy Playground. While we’ve been busy getting ready to give your youth a fun experience (we may give you a preview below), we’ve also been prepping ourselves for the trip.
Here are a few things that have topped our list:
Finding our restaurants
Obviously this is most important right? Houston is a foodie city and there are TONS of options to check out – from tacos to seafood to a good burger. With 30,000 attendees at next week’s events, we know that it’s going to get a little crazy so we’ve tried to create a plan to eat a little earlier or later than everyone else.
Reading updates on the ELCA Youth Gathering website
The ELCA has done a great job of updating the Youth Gathering website with pertinent details, and we’ve been checking in weekly for anything that may have changed. Traveling is stressful enough (and we’re not bring some teenagers with us), so knowing we have the latest and greatest information makes some of those migraines disappear.
Building our playlist
I’m not sure about you, but music is a necessity when it comes to travel—so we’ve been building a playlist that can keep us inspired, relaxed, and most importantly—smiling.
Need some jams for your trip to Houston? Check out our ELCA Youth Gathering Playlist here!
What’s happening at the Sparkhouse booth
We are so excited to connect with the ELCA community at Youth Gathering 2018! As we all know, time is limited at the event. So, why should you spend some time at the Sparkhouse booth?
Reflect on faith during an interactive activity. Students will have an opportunity to write on a postcard reflecting on what their faith means to them. The activity will inspire conversations of depth and get them thinking on taking their faith as their own. Meet them there in these important moments!
Recharge your phone… and feet.We’ll have FREE power banks available to leaders plus a charging station surrounded by comfortable couches (I can hear your feet sighing relief already), so stop by anytime if you’re running low!
Show your youth your gaming skills.We’ll have all your favorite childhood board games for your youth—well, and for you to show them your mad skills.
We are giving away $2,000 to one church.Yes, you read that correctly. $2,000! We’d love to contribute to the mission of your church. Come on by and find out how you can enter to win!
We can’t wait to see you there! Come say hello and recharge at our booth. Have fun and blessings on your trip ahead!
We recently asked youth workers to share what they are most excited about for this year’s ELCA Youth Gathering—read what they had to say here!
