Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, April 19, 1991 TAG: 9104190482
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV8 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: FRANCES STEBBINS SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
Steve Schmitt, who began work as Young Life area director six months ago, said 15 to 20 students from the Montgomery County school have been at the first weekly meetings for Auburn.
They join about 35 students from Blacksburg High and 50 from Christiansburg High who get together in homes for socials and discussions of living a Christian life.
In addition to the high school clubs, Young Life volunteers have established a group for junior-high students coming from Blacksburg and Christiansburg.
"We don't get into doctrinal questions, nor promote a particular denomination," Schmitt said. "We do encourage kids to go to their family's church, and if they don't have one to try those their friends attend."
Young Life does encourages making a specific commitment to Christ and using the principles of the Bible for moral guidance, the director noted.
It avoids conflicts with the separation of church and state by having all events in private homes. Schmitt said about 50 adults in the New River Valley communities alternate in supervising the home socials. Personal-faith stories, he said, are shared informally among the youth and those older.
"We couldn't function without our volunteers. If they're not in direct contact with the kids at the socials, they're involved in planning and fund-raising," said Schmitt.
Funds are needed especially for the summer camping programs which are a major attraction of Young Life involvement.
The New River Valley clubs will have a free car wash Saturday at New River Valley Mall from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. . Cars are washed free, but it's the major fund-raising effort for the youths. They take pledges for every car they clean, Schmitt said. With more than 100 teen-agers washing 600 or 700 cars, he expects to raise at least $10,000.
The clubs also will sponors a golf tournament May 10 at Blacksburg Country Club from 8:20 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The $75 fee per player covers buffet lunch.
It will cost each student about $300 for a week at a Young Life camp this summer in New York state. The Christiansburg club members will go to Lake Champion in the Catskill Mountains June 29-July 6 and the Blacksburg and Auburn campers will be at Saranac near Lake Placid Aug. 12-19.
Young Life came to Blacksburg about 10 years ago, Schmitt said. The program has had its ups and downs, with its last director, Chuck Young, leaving to take a job in Virginia Beach nearly two years ago.
Schmitt said the program offers social opportunities for teens combined with Christian values and a chance to get to know adults with mature faith.
It was started 45 years ago and has international headquarters in Colorado Springs, Colo. Call 951-8642 for more information about the New River Valley events.
Memo: CORRECTION