YOUTH PROGRAMS
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Church school
Three different youth-aged classes meet at Calvary during the church school hour from 9:30–10:30 am during the traditional school year. Tim and Leigh Bessey, long-time Calvary members, teach the 6th and 7th grade class. David and Jeanine Crane, who have worked extensively with youth during their time at Calvary, teach the 8th and 9th grade segment. Erin Bessey and Bill Ponikvar team up in a dynamic way to teach grades 10-12. Erin taught senior high church school with Joe Greemore in 2010-11, and Bill has tenured experience at Calvary teaching church school for all ages. Class curriculum is an extension of the Wednesday evening program for youth, grades 6 –12 where monthly themes are discussed in a progressive curriculum that incorporates Bible study, contemporary application and various team-building games and activities, both group-based and individual.

Youth group
Calvary’s Wednesday evening youth program is known by the acronym ABY, which stands for American Baptist Youth, a modern adaptation of the historic Baptist Student Union. Calvary's program is open to youth from every background, nationality and social location. Our desire is to create avenues for mutual respect, generous exchange with each other and our various communities and, above all, to joyfully celebrate Jesus' life amid our life's realities. In doing these things, we hope to instill a deep appreciation for life, diversity, community and faith in various forms. The weekly tools we use are lessons, group-building activities, devotional thoughts, games, trips and local service opportunities.

Youth music
Calvary’s youth choir, Spiritual Element, gathers during the traditional school year on Sunday mornings under the direction of Emily Crile. Emily has a bachelor’s degree in music education and has extensive experience with the premier, statewide group, the Colorado Children’s Choir. Rehearsal for Spiritual Elements begins at 8:30 Sunday morning and is finished before church school. While musical selections vary, Calvary has come to expect consistently polished music from its youth-based small ensemble. For more information about dates, times and requirements, contact Emily Crile at 720.670.6291 or thecriles@comcast.net, or for other musical opportunities, contact Kevin Padworski, Calvary’s Director of Music at kpadworski@calvarydenver.org. We’d love to hear from you!

The Prayer Path
In the past, one of the favorite ABY activities was to engage in a fun, interactive, reflective labyrinth. It combined ancient tradition with guided meditations and learning stations. Currently, Calvary youth connect in these ways by candlelight vigil, times of prayer and in the natural world (places like Silverthorne, Colo.). In the words of Paulos Mar Gregorios, “Prayer is like breathing,” and at Calvary, we want to stress that a healthy prayer life is as essential as a healthy set of working lungs. Prayer is essential to every aspect of the Christian life, and we want to encourage conversations with God in special events, weekly meetings and in everyday living.

And more
Trips, retreats, lock-ins and service projects are offered often throughout the year. Details are available in the monthly calendars. If you’d like to receive monthly calendars, contact the church office.

Each summer, Calvary youth take a trip. 2011 took us to Green Lake, WI for Quest Camp and the Awaken Tour. In 2010, we traveled to the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming for a combination of work projects and service-based activities. Throughout the year, in preparation for our summer trips, Calvary invites youth to take part in local service projects, fund-raising opportunities and various activities to get us ready for the summer camp season. We hope you will join us this year as we seek to make new memories! 

*Framework of Safety: Calvary values the lives of our children and other vulnerable people. We have a written plan to protect these people while they are in our care. Calvary staff, teachers, and volunteers adhere to screening and training. Reporting and response procedures are also in place.