What’s a typical day at the Summit?
Each day at the Summit will include class time, prayer time, rest, and time for play. We have nightly worship led by our talented team of musicians and daily small groups called Bands, where you’ll bond with your college-age Summit Guide as you reflect on the big questions in your life today.
While some components of the week are the same for everyone, you’ll be in the driver’s seat to choose your afternoon track (Music, Technology, or Mission) and a daily elective too.
What’s the process?
- Each youth (rising junior or senior) must be nominated by a peer, youth pastor, or other adult.
- A short application must be completed.
After acceptance, we’ll have you:
- Choose your elective.
- Complete the Birkman Method Assessment.
(a personality/career aptitude tool) - Share a little bit more about yourself!
Past Electives Include...
- Hearing God Through Scripture
- Praying with the Saints
- Is the Bible True? Topics to Consider for Skeptics and Believers
- How the Bible Came to Be
- Letting God Speak Through the Bible
- Light in the Darkness: Exploring Death, Grief, Shame, and the Redeeming Light of Christ
What is a "track"?
You have three options for how to go deeper throughout the week.
The choices are:
- Missional Leading through Service
In this track, you’ll be led by Dr. Cheryl Rude. Cheryl will teach about what it means to serve as a Christian, and provide opportunities throughout the week to be in service to others. One of the opportunities will be to host a talent show on Friday night for Big Brothers Big Sisters, featuring the Summit community.
- Worship Leading through Music
This track is led by Martin Rude, with other leadership provided by trained musicians. You’ll hone your skills and learn what it means to lead worship through music, which includes how important it is to be on a planning team as well as a music team. . The opportunity to lead worship at the end of the week will be a goal for you to work toward.
- Worship Leading through Technology
What’s my commitment?
We know that there are so many ways you could spend your summer, so we ask that you prepare to spend the full week, fully present with us. There will be intentional times that you may be asked to be without your phone, practice silence, or listen for God in a way that you haven’t practiced before.
The cost for each Summit participant is $500, which includes all programming and activities, in addition to all food and housing for the week. We encourage a split of $300 from the participant and $200 from the church. Persons who nominate a youth can advocate for the church portion within their local congregation, and if a youth applies before being nominated, our team will connect with the home church to coordinate payment. Cost is something we do not want to be a barrier, though. Send us an email to discuss scholarship or fundraising options if desired.
What will we do for fun?
We have some super-fun Summit traditions including kickball at the stadium, board game night, and our favorite – Christmas in July Bingo with prizes!
