"Is anything happening at the gym today?" "Can we come hang out at the gym today?" A couple of kids from one of our families had already called me by 10 am on a Wednesday. School was out Tuesday and Wednesday because of the ice and snow. It wasn't the kind of snow that makes a snow day fun, and boredom was beginning to overcome the excitement. The roads were beginning to be clear enough for travel and the siblings were beginning to drive each other (and probably their mom) crazy. Mission Youth Center to the rescue! It's free! It's fun! There are always snacks! Rides provided! Your friends will be there! Once word got around that we were having a play day, I had as many kids as I thought I could manage and then some. A couple of our staff members came to help.

MYC has organized activities for our kids each school day and often during planned breaks from school. Some of the most fun times, however, and some of the best opportunities for building relationships with the kids come from these unplanned times. People are more important than programs and relationships are more important than following a planned agenda. These kids obviously need the boundaries and security that structure provides, but they also just need to have fun with us once in a while. It's good to know that they think of us when they want something to do or somewhere to go, and it's also good to know that the parents trust MYC to be a safe, supervised place to hang out. So, I postponed my errands and office work for the day and gave some kids the opportunity to burn off some energy with some friends and some adults who are crazy enough to spend time with them.

Mission Youth Center

Dyersburg-Dyer County Union Mission
Mission Youth Center

Mission Statement
Through healthy relationships with positive role models,
we strive to help kids develop a relationship with Jesus by enabling and encouraging each child
to grow spiritually, academically, socially, physically, and economically.

Growth is encouraged through these MYC ministries:

MYC Clubs, which are after-school and evening activities for kids from 1st grade through high school. Club is divided into four age groups according to school grade, with separate clubs for primary, intermediate, middle, and high school students. High school club meets Mondays, and each of the other clubs meet twice a week during the school year. Club time includes snack time and free time, a Bible lesson with memory verses, playing in the gym, and time for homework with help available. The maximum enrollment is 28 kids per club, and most of our kids return year after year.

Field trips and reward activities for kids in MYC Club, including trips to the lake; to Memphis for ballgames, museums or the zoo; plus outings to state parks, paint ball, or canoeing. Award activities also include local parks and activities, bowling, going out to eat, or shopping at our “Club Store.”

Special activities such as play days at the gym or park, snow day or other non-school day events, overnight retreats, or to spend the night in a cave.

Youth Enterprises, which is a small business that gives our high school students the opportunity to earn money and learn and apply business and spiritual principles. Our products are greeting cards, which the kids help design and produce. Participation in Youth Enterprises gives the chance for our kids to learn and practice workplace skills, develop a work ethic, and have a job reference and experience to use when applying for jobs.

Enrichment, which teaches hobbies or other fun skills to our kids.

On Deck, which is our Saturday Club for kids who are on our intermediate waiting list.
Summer in the Son, which is our summertime club and trip program.

New Life Youth Camp, which is another Mission ministry but includes our club kids in addition to kids who are not involved in our clubs.

For photos or information about these and other Mission ministries, visit dyersburgmission.com.