Youth workers move into Track II
Participants in Track 1 are shown. Front row, from left, are: Evelyn Myers, Hobart; Kim Hardaway, Poteau; Hank Jenkins, Verdigris; and Chelsea Mize, Verdigris. Center row, from left, are: Leslie Long, dean; Katie Swan, Pawhuska; Lisa West, Sand Springs; Laura Eldridge, Tulsa-Faith; Chanci Peterson, Beaver; Debbie Gant, Tulsa-St. Matthew’s; Devon Krause, Enid-First; and Diana Northcutt, Conference director of Local Church Youth Ministries. At back are Adam Brinson of Fairview (Enid District), left, and B.J. Danner of Skiatook. Also attending were Jana Hogg, OKC-Wesley; Martin Lewis, Mooreland; Teresa Shuck, Hinton; and Branson Ewing, Muskogee-Trinity.
Jana Dawn Hogg was newly hired as a youth director when she attended the first course of Youth Workers Academy Track I.
Make that very new. When she signed in for the training at Canyon Camp, she had not yet started her job. Right after that weekend, she went to work for OKC-Wesley.
"Needless to say, I had no clue of what to expect as being a youth director," Hogg admitted.
She was in the group that recently completed the Track I year. "I now have a better understanding of ways to develop lessons and relate to my youths," she said
The Track II year of Youth Workers Academy begins Oct. 24-26 at Canyon Camp.
The academy’s goal "is to train youth workers so they can serve their local churches with a new level of professionalism," said Leslie Long, dean of the academy and campus minister at the Wesley Foundation, University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond. "Participants are taught by OCU professors and various experts who have passion for their subject matter."
The full academy cycle is two years. Courses in Track I are oriented to theory, and Track II develops practical skills.
Rev. Dr. Long said, "Track 2 will examine subjects ranging from Confirmation, Bible study, and curriculum; to topics that are considered to be difficult to deal with, such as cutting (self-mutilation), suicide, abuse, bullying, and many other issues our teens deal with on a regular basis. Participants will also be trained in conflict resolution and cyber safety."
Other dates for the Track II courses are Dec. 5-7 and, in 2009, Feb. 6-8 and March 6-8. These weekend sessions will be at Canyon Camp.
Hogg said, "The main components I took out of the youth academy were ones that were practical and nurturing as well. It allowed me to be grounded further in the connectional system of The United Methodist Church. I have found a network of people who will be in ministry together."
For details about Youth Academy, contact Long, 405-341-5450, lalongokc@sbcglobal.net; or Diana Northcutt, 405-530-2144, dnorthcutt@okumc.org.
The academy is presented through Oklahoma Conference Local Church Youth Ministries.
Fee is $1,000 for new participants who enroll and begin the academy cycle with Track II this fall.
