Summer at Phyouth!

Sr. High Youth and Midyouth Families,

Summer is just around the corner and we want to make sure that you have all the details for the wonderful summer opportunities Phyouth has to offer.

Below, you can find information and registration for all of our trips and big events. Additionally this summer, we have added some exciting new opportunities for connection, discipleship and recreation!

First, we are so excited to be offering regular "Youth Nights" in June and July. Youth Nights will be structured similar to school-year youth, feel a bit like old-school youth group, and will include all ages (incoming 5th-12th graders). We'll eat dinner together then participate in a video teaching and small group discussions.

We'll meet the first 6 Sundays when we aren't away on a trip (see below or check the summer calendar for dates!) 5:30-7:00pm.

Second, on the first 4 Tuesdays in June, we are hosting Open Gym! Open to any students in our community, Open Gym is an excellent opportunity to invite friends to hang out with you at church. Summer is hot, but we've got a great air conditioned space to run around in! This will be mostly an unstructured time, but our youth staff will supervise the gym to ensure safe play is happening.

Midyouth Open Gym (5th-7th graders) is 1:30-3:00pm

Sr. High Open Gym (8th-12th graders) is 3:00-4:30pm

Read on for more summer fun....

Parent Support for Phyouth

Parents and other adults volunteers are an absolutely crucial part of our youth program. Whether you are someone who wants to be involved face to face, help cook food, or provide resources behind the scenes, here are a number of ways you can support our program this summer.

Summer Sunday School Volunteers

Come lead a Sunday school class this summer!

Lesson plans are provided, and our summer youth interns are present to help guide the conversations.

We understand that volunteers aren't able to commit to every Sunday in summer, so even if you can only help once or twice, we would appreciate your presence!

Lead a Summer Sunday School Class

Youth Summer Wishlist

With all the trips and fun planned this summer, we are needing some new equipment and supplies. Could you help us by purchasing an item or two? For items such as sports equipment, you are welcome to purchase new items or donate gently used items from home.

Check out the wishlist:

Phyouth Wishlist

Summer Volunteer Interest Form

Below is a sign up form for parent volunteer emails. This is a special list we are creating of folks willing to give their time at any point this summer.

I encourage you to join our volunteer team! If you sign up, you'll receive emails when we are looking for chaperones for various activities this summer. Signing up doesn't commit you to any specific events.

Summer Parent Volunteer Interest Form

Youth Food Fund

Another summer need is money for meals, snacks, drinks and treats. Because as you well know, teenagers love to be fed at every event!

Youth Food Fund Donation

Special Summer Activities

at Phyouth

Leading and Learning Pilgrimage

As a special opportunity this summer, our Leading and Learning Pilgrimage trip will help students have structured and thoughtful conversations about how to be a faithful Christian leader in a complex world. Our trip this year will take us to The Japanese Internment Camp Museum in McGehee, AR. We'll be learning about the experiences of Japanese Americans who were incarcerated for their race during WWII, and having tender conversations about racial policing and our Christian response to this complex, real world justice issue.

Leading and Learning Pilgrimage is on Wednesday, May 27th, and is for incoming 8th-12th grade students.

Midyouth Learning and Service Days

Midyouth Learning and Service Days (open to upcoming 5th-7th graders) is one of the best events we offer for midyouth! We purposefully develop service opportunities where our students can experience the joy of serving others while learning about and experiencing some of the inequities that exist in our world.

This takes place July 7-9, 8:00am-2:30pm. Each day will include a service project, a recreational activity and lunch.

Vacation Bible Camp (Tue. July 7 - Thu. July 9)

All 8th-12th graders are invited to volunteer at VBC this summer. Come be a part of this fun, interactive dinner theater experience!

Volunteers will be needed 4:30-7:30pm each night. Required volunteer training will be Monday, July 6, 4:30-6:30pm.

Volunteer at VBC

Assembly

Assembly, July 20-24, is the our longest standing, and most beloved Arkansas Conference Youth Ministry event. Jr High (completed 6th-8th) and Senior High (9th-graduates) are separate groups who stay the same week at Hendrix College. Assembly allows students to be in small groups with United Methodist Youth from across the state, worship together, and participate in fun activities—making memories for a lifetime! Come enjoy the beautiful campus of Hendrix college, and get the full experience of living in their historic dorms, eating in the award winning cafeteria, and worshipping together in the auditorium with nationally renowned speakers and band. This is an experience you won't want to miss.

Summer Calendar

Check out all the summer calendar to see other local events for midyouth and phyouth.

Midyouth and Phyouth: Check out dates for Youth Nights, Open Gym, Magic Springs, and Big Fun Nights.

Sr. High Youth: You'll also want to mark your calendar for Sr. High Mission and Lunch days!!

You can always find the most up-to-date calendar online: phumc.com/youth and select "Summer Calendar"

OR click the link below for the current Summer Youth Calendar.

Summer Youth Calendar 2026