Hey Parents!
July is here, which means summer is in full swing! This month is packed with opportunities for students to connect, serve, and grow together.
Here's what's inside this month's update:
🏡 Backyard Hangouts (with addresses!)
🏕️ Summer Camp deadlines and parent meeting
🌱 Student Leadership applications
🙏 Ways to pray for our Slovakia team and VBS
📅 Important dates coming up this summer and fall
Quick Action Items
Before you close this email, here's what we'd love for you to do:
Camp Families: Complete camp registration and all required forms by July 5 (we only have a few spots remaining!).
Attend the Camp Parent Meeting on July 19 if your student is going to camp.
Mark your calendar for our Backyard Hangouts this month.
Encourage your student to apply for Student Leadership if they're interested in growing as a leader and investing in others.
Register your family for Family Discipleship Weekend (August 14–16) through Realm.
Pray for our students serving in Slovakia and during VBS this month.
Now for the details...
BACKYARD HANGOUTS ARE HERE!
Our Backyard Hangouts begin this week! These nights are all about helping students build friendships, stay connected over the summer, and remember that the church isn't a place—it's a people.
Here's where we'll be meeting each week (6:30–8:30 PM):
July 1 — Kickoff at the Francis' (1782 Rougemont Road Rougemont NC 27572)
July 8 — Pool Party at the Cagles' (8908 NC 157 W Rougemont, NC 27572)
July 15 — Bonfire at the O'Dells' (1319 Bill Poole Rd Rougemont, NC 27572)
July 22 — Front Yard Party at the McKinneys' (6220 Doyle Rd Durham, NC 27712)
If your student needs a ride to any of these nights, just let me know—we'd love to help make sure they can be there!
SUMMER CAMP: FINAL DEADLINE IS JULY 5
Camp is almost here!
July 5 is the final deadline to register and complete all required forms. If your student is planning to attend, please make sure everything is submitted by then.
We only have one guy spot remaining and just a couple of girl spots left, so if your student has been thinking about coming, now is the time!
Camp is also an incredible opportunity to invite a friend. If your student has someone they've been wanting to bring, encourage them to reach out before registration closes.
And remember—we never want finances to keep a student from camp. Scholarships are available, so if cost is a concern, please don't hesitate to contact me.
July 19 — Camp Parent Meeting
If your student is attending camp, please plan to join us for our Camp Parent Meeting on July 19. We'll walk through everything you need to know before we leave, including travel details, packing reminders, medication procedures, schedules, expectations, and answer any last-minute questions. More details on time and location will be sent out as we get closer.
STUDENT LEADERSHIP APPLICATIONS
Applications for our new Student Leadership Team are officially open!
This is for middle and high school students who want to take ownership of our ministry by serving and helping shape the culture of our group. Whether your student enjoys being up front through greeting, hosting, games, or worship—or serving behind the scenes through AV, café, event planning, and other ministry opportunities—this team is designed to help them discover and grow in the gifts God has given them.
If your student is interested in exploring leadership and investing in others, we'd love to have them apply!
PRAY WITH US
July 6–14 — Slovakia Mission Trip
Our high school team leaves soon for Slovakia!
Would you join us in praying for:
safety in travel,
the filling of the Holy Spirit,
boldness as students share the gospel,
and that God would continue working long after the trip ends in the lives of everyone they encounter.
July 13–16 — Vacation Bible School
Our student volunteer spots are full—thank you!
Please be praying for the students serving, the children attending, and for God to use this week to impact families across our church. We love seeing our students serve alongside the larger church family and use their gifts to bless others.
LOOKING AHEAD
August 14–16 — Family Discipleship Weekend
This is one of the biggest weekends of the year—not just for students, but for the entire family.
Parents, grandparents, married couples, singles, and children all have opportunities to be encouraged and equipped as we learn what it looks like to follow Jesus together. We'd encourage every Ridgecrest family to make this weekend a priority.
Registration is now open through Realm.
Save These Dates
August 26 — Fall Kickoff
August 30 — Promotion Sunday
October 16–18 — Fall Retreat
More information about Fall Retreat is coming soon, but go ahead and keep that weekend open—we're expecting it to be one of the highlights of the semester!
As always, thank you for allowing us to partner with your family. We're excited to see how God continues to work this summer!
Realm App
Please use the link below to learn more about the Realm App, which makes registering your teen easier than ever!
As always, thank you for allowing us to partner with your family. We're excited to see how God continues to work this summer!
Your friend,
Ian Turner
Student Ministry Director