Our Reedley Youth Venture Assignment

For 3 weeks from June 26 to July 17, our Youth Venture team to Reedley, CA will be partnering with First Mennonite Church of Reedley. We will be hosted by a member of the congregation and the pastor. Reedley is a town of about 25,900 located 22 miles east-southeast of Fresno in central California. It is knows as "The World's Fruit Basket" as it's main economic source is fruit and vegetable agriculture. It is located within an hour of Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.
First Mennonite Church in Reedley has services in both English and Spanish (http://www.fmcreedley.org/). FMC seeks to provide meaningful activities for children whose parents are working and to provide Bible study and training in conflict resolution and good decision-making. The YV team will be joining FMC's mission to the community by helping with the evening Vacation Bible School the first week as teachers and activity leaders. We will be using Mennonite Publishing Network's curriculum, Meet God on the Mountain. The second two weeks during the afternoons we will be working with the continued summer programing as activity leaders and "counselors/teachers" as the Kids and Conflict and Kids and Values curriculums are used for the children who remain in the program after VBS.
Other possible activities:

• We will volunteer with the MCC thrift store in Reedley on Wednesday mornings, June 30 and July 7. We may also help in the quilt center.
• The second two Wednesdays we will be part of the youth group activities at church.
• Attend worship services
• Visit local farms/packing sheds, museums, church members and more
• Trips to National Park(s) and the California coast
• Attend local Reedley and Fresno community events
• Make friends!