Higher Things Youth Conference Annual Trip
"WHO AM I?"
Tuesday-Friday, July 16th-19th, 2023
University of the Ozarks
Clarksville, Arkansas
Early Registration opens November 1st, 2023 and continues to the end of January 2024 when regular registration continues but the cost increases.
2023 Higher Things Conference
"Beyond a Reasonable Doubt" at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois
Tuesday, July 18th-Friday, July 21st, 2023
Each summer, Good Shepherd takes a group of youth to a Higher Things Youth Conference. Current 7th graders and older may attend. Conferences are especially designed for high schoolers.
Early bird registration is $450 with price increases beginning in January. Registration is now open!
Some scholarships and payment plans are available and some fundraising available. Please contact Mr. Stegman for info.
Of your registration fee, $150 is absolutely non-refundable. In the unlikely event that the conference would not take place for any reason (i.e. Covid 19 lock downs, natural disaster, etc.) you would receive a partial refund and the non-refundable $150 deposit would pay for your admission to a virtual conference with the possibility of in person activities at Good Shepherd.
Email Mr. Stegman and he will register you with our group: zstegman@gslcs.org
Conference registration includes all you can eat meals each day, dorm style housing, conference t-shirt, materials, and all activities.
There are 4 main parts to the conference:
-Worship (services each day with opportunities to play instruments and sing in the choir)
-Plenary sessions (4 large group Bible study sessions on the conference theme)
-Breakout sessions (students choose 6 out of about 36 different topics dealing with the Bible, movies, dating/marriage/gender/relationship, challenges of teenage years, suicide etc.)
-Free Time (unique at every conference ranging from many indoor and outdoor sports, escape rooms, board games, pool/foosball/ping pong, capture the flag, 3000 egg Easter egg hunt, swimming, knocker ball, gameshow, archery tag, mechanical shark riding, bumper cars, water park access, rock climbing, iron chef competition, chalk art, and many others over the years)
See www.higherthings.org for more info and other great resources!
Follow this link to see some highlights and GS youth give their thoughts from a past conference:
All services are conducted by LCMS pastors. All sessions are taught by LCMS pastors, DCE's, Commissioned Teachers, or lay adult youth leaders.
Every adult attending the conference from any group or staff is nationally background checked within the 12 months preceding the conference.
More details and other resources can be found at higherthings.org
Contact Mr. Stegman with any questions at zstegman@gslcs.org
For You 2022
Divine Service at Shyrock Auditorium
1000 Youth at the Pleanary Session Studying the 8th Commandment
Breakout Session on Mormonism