Faith and fun can go hand-in-hand, and Fort Irwin’s chapel youth group, Club Beyond, is an ever-growing example of this fact.
Club Beyond participates in a variety of activities, including the “Epic Water Balloon Fight” last summer, where more than 100 teens took to Army Field with more than 4,000 water balloons and other water games, as well as concerts, mission trips, and chapel hang-outs. The youth group, made up of students in sixth through 12th grade, meets every Thursday for games, food, and music with a down-to-earth talk about what it is like to be young and to know Christ.
Many students who attend are not “church kids” but instead are kids who find Club Beyond a safe and fun place to hang out after a long week in school. Club Beyond’s volunteer staff is made up of more than 14 adult leaders providing a well-rounded group that is willing to walk along side these students as they figure out what faith in action looks like.
After several months of holding meetings at the Middle School Teen Center, the youth group was provided its their own room near Center Chapel, which was decorated and personalized by the students. In October 2011, 17 Club Beyond members attended “A Big Day Of Serving” event held in San Diego. They painted a local church, provided meals for the homeless, and helped clean up neighborhoods that had been neglected. In September and November 2011, students piled into vans that hauled them away to Christian rock and hip-hop concerts with headliners such as Newboys, Kutless, Group 1 Crew and KJ-52.
The youth group itself has its own band, and there is hope of starting a skit team soon for those who prefer drama. Club Beyond’s adult leaders aim to work with students’ strengths and give them a chance to grow in what they are good at.
From the end of March through the end of April, the students will participate in a fundraiser for children and families who have been affected by famine and drought around the world. In celebration of Club Beyond’s efforts, members will host a 30 Hour Famine lock-In where students in sixth through 12th grades will get to do local community service projects during the day and will enjoy exclusive use of Coyote Activity Center for the entire night. The students will compete in games, climb the rock wall, and hang out with friends and leaders while learning about what it means to give to those less fortunate.
The lock-in will be held April 21-22. For more information, email Jeni Kopp at jkopp@clubbeyond.org.
In April, the youth group will meet regularly on Thursday nights from 6:30-8 p.m., rides home are needed for safety and post rules. On April 19, Club Beyond will meet at the baseball diamonds across the street from Coyote Activity Center for a game of Marshmallow Baseball along with some other activities. To find out more, visit the Fort Irwin youth group Facebook page.
