High School at Athens First is open to all students in grades 9-12. The programming opportunities below, from Wednesday night Bible study to retreats and everything in between, are designed with your High Schooler in mind!
High School at AFUMC
Winter Retreat 2025
This retreat is happening January 17-20, and we are heading to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. This retreat is open to all 6th-12th grade students. We will stay in two cabins (girls' cabin and boys' cabin), cooking our meals, enjoying some Winter fun in Pigeon Forge, spending time in devotions and worship, and enjoying the nature and beauty of the Great Smokies!
The retreat costs $175 and covers lodging, a shirt, most meals, and activities for the weekend. Registration will close on Sunday, January 5!
All students who will attend this retreat will need to have a Student Information Form on file. If your student went on a trip in fall 2024 with us, we will not need a Student Information Form.
Destination Unknown
It is the 3rd Annual Destination Unknown on Sunday, January 5 as we kick off 2025! Our Middle School and High School students will have separate destinations for the evening and we are so excited about where they get to go. It is sure to be an evening full of fellowship, fun, and yummy food!
Parents: You will receive an email letting you know the plans for the evening, but we do ask that you do not tell your student(s). There is an element of fun as they try to figure out where they are going and what we will be doing!
All students who will attend this event will need to have a Student Information Form on file. If your student went on a trip in fall 2024 with us, we will not need a Student Information Form.
High School Mission Trip: Guatemala
April 5-12, 2025
Yes…you read that right! Registration is now open for our High School Youth (current 9th-12th Graders) to have the opportunity to travel to Guatemala for a mission trip in April 2025! We will be staying in San Juan, Guatemala on Lake Atitlan working with an organization called Impacto. We are so excited about this opportunity to travel internationally and to serve the amazing people of Guatemala!
Payment and Registration
Registration will close on December 15. The cost of the trip is $1850. This will cover airfare, transportation in Guatemala, lodging, most meals, and mission trip supplies. You will be responsible for travel day meals and souvenirs. A $350 NON-REFUNDABLE deposit is due at the time of registration. You can pay for the trip as you go, and the final payment is due no later than March 15, 2025.
Other Information
There will be monthly MANDATORY meetings that will take place once a month beginning in January. The dates and times of these meetings will be set in the coming weeks.
Do You Need a Passport? The answer is Yes. You will need a Passport to travel to Guatemala. If you do not have one or if yours is close to expiring, please begin the process to get your Passport as soon as possible.
We will also need a Student Information Form on file for your student. If you have not already submitted a form for this school year, please do so as soon as possible.
Hannah Stubblefield, Director of Student Ministry |
The Elijah Project
The Elijah Project is an inter-generational prayer ministry connecting adults and youth in our congregation through consistent, expectant prayer. Students and adults partner together in prayer, rejoicing and giving thanks for the highs, and giving comfort and encouragement during the lows. This ministry blesses youth and adults alike each year.
AGAPE
Created in the Fall of 2021, the goal of AGAPE - All God's Abilities Purposefully Engaged - is to create a safe and comfortable, inclusive Christian environment for children and students of all abilities. AGAPE is continuing to grow and develop and we welcome you to be part of it!
Whether you are a parent of a child with special needs, interested in volunteering, or want to know more about this ministry, we invite you to be part of this unique, growing ministry at Athens First UMC.
