This is a list of stuff I intend to add but since this takes up a lot of time, I have to just add it bit by bit. Plus, as far as history of Youth Group and Stories, I have pictures and stories dating back to 1991 and basicly I have this huge bin full of papers pertaining to youth group. So as I think of stuff, I add it to this page so I don't forget and then gradually work the material into the web site.
Until then, I thought that just by listing the topics in a semi detailed way, it would at least bring back memories until I can get the whole story up on the web.
Flyers - In the past, we've had all sorts of flyers with a lot of artwork on them, these will be scanned in ads and such from youth group
Thanksgiving Day Parade - Yes, for many years a small amount of us have been down to the Thanksgiving Day parade in Detroit. (We have gotten on TV, Shook the Mayors Hand, And I even had three stitches after once.)
LOCK INS - ASK BILL if we can have a lock In. We used to do these, hard to find good help for the nightshifts so we stopped. If you ask him enough, we might be able to have one again. They were a lot of fun, and we've had them at STM, the YMCA, and even a traveling lockin that bused us to other schools.
STOries from Rainbow - Well, almost Self Explanatory, these stories range from getting caught in the stairway in the middle of the night to being stuck in an elevator for four hours to being stuck in someone elses room. Kermit is a Big hit at Rainbow too. Banners. Plus, Smiley sang in front of everyone at Rainbow at mass and choir stories including donuts in the parking lot. I'll try not to mention names.
CAMP STories - These stories will range from the exciting ones such as when Bob and I, Smiley saw a bear at camp, and Jeff was chased by some dogs at camp. Also, included are camp cavell excursions into the drainage pipes, kids falling into a snow covered river testing out an element Bill and I set up, the first zip line at Cavell, the infamous football game between two groups at Cavell. Also, I will try to include some of the most unique duct taping experiences like the stop sign and the monkey bars. Bob and I talking Ghost stories making freshmen run out of the cabin because they were scared, Sledding on Cardboard Boxes made with Duct Tape, Kermit being frozen. Earlier Camp trips like the rifle river with the loud booms at 3 am. Also, Camps not heard abOUt but technically youth Group Excursions and Smiley rolling Down a giant sanddune in a tire. Also, Senior Camps which include monster black flies to canoe capers and rescues. Chubby Bunny Spam was ever so popular at Tamarack, swamp walks and swamp stories, Riding Horses, water heaters and sleep at Cavell, Atrophied Chicken. There are so much more, this will be huge.
Whitewater Rafting Stories - Our guides, our adventures, our discoveries. Also, the true west virginia shack found deep in the mountains.
WYD Stories - Stories from WYD 93 ranging from a 5 mile hike to the hanson story to shannon and shannon stuck on the bus. Bell huey Helicopters buzzing the crowd as we walked, the mall, the duct tape on Bill, the nice lodging location they gave us, and of course, GENE, GENE, the swearing bus drivin' machine with the bus that stopped for high altitudes. I don't know WYD 97 stories, I didn't go, so the most I can do is tell the sandwich story of camp after I was informed many times that I did not go.
DOG Tags - The origin of the dog tag idea and what we used to get at camps earlier. Bandanas.
SKITS - Skits we do, used to do and all that. These skits were written and produced by Smiley and a group of kids that were very good actors. We have one in the works for the current camp.
Leaders - Biographies. This is the section to find out more about the leaders and just who they really are.
Stories that can't be put anywhere else - This section is really full of interesting stuff. Everything from the trampoline story to the volleyball court story to the river that runs right underneath STM.
Polaroid Scavenger Hunts - These used to be quite popular. Among pictures were standing knee deep in a lake and standing in a bathtub at builders square.
breakfast club - These we tried, it's hard to get up that early though.
STM After Hours - After youth group, for years we've been customers at local eating establishments
Habitat for Humanity - yes, we've built houses too, installed front porch steps, and moved dirt to the tune of sixteen tons. Coneys for lunch.
Last Bash - In the past, what have we slung, why were we so secretive? You'll find answers here to the last meeting of youth group for the year.
STMYG FUNDRAISING EVENTS - Since we are students, camps can be expensive. This is a list and description of some fundraising events we have done. I one sense, some could even be renamed by taking the D out of Fundraising to something more like FUN RAIsing. car wash and Pink Flamingo Insurance are here.
XMAS PArty - In this section will go the things we have done in the past for christmas ranging from Skits to standing on the roof as Santa to caroling and tricycle races and the baby bottle Cola Belching contest.
the people - Just how many people have passed through sTMYG. I don't know, I will try to find out though. I've heard 1200 to 1500 since 1991.
LOGOS, LANGUAge and Culture - STMYG has it's own logos, t shirts, and language with words they've invented. Also, it has a unique culture in that many have the same shared experience. Here, I try to describe logos and where they came from. Also, Youth Group sayings such as STMYG Whitewater and What part of No don't you understand has the origins to. In fact, there is a printed Tshirt with many sayings from youth group, each with a special meaning. I'll try to include most of them and give a brief synopsis of it all.
Service Projects - Soup Kitchens, and other stuff that I am trying to think of.
STMYG - Why Class destinctions stay outside and just how we manage to be real. It's tough to describe in two sentences, but it's the reason why were are here and who we are.
KERMIT - how a green frog became the lovable youth group mascot.
Thanks, Jeff