SURF students in 5th and 6th Grade are at a very transitional point in life – neither wanting to be treated like kids, and yet not ready to be fully in the teenage world. SURF desires to minister to preteens by teaching them about Identity (Who God Is + Who Am I), Belonging (Who Is The Church + Where Do I Fit In), and Mission (Who Is Jesus + What Is My Mission).
Dan Bartel, and his team, take an apologetics approach – teaching on how to solidify a faith of their own and defend the many questions that they will come across. Topics include: science, world religions, preparing for adolescence, how to study the Bible, and more.
On alternate months, Bill Choate takes us through a fun and unique walk through the New Testament highlighting the works and ministry of Jesus.
SURF MidWeek is a youth group style evening, just for 5th and 6th Grade students. The Surf Staff uses creative and fun teaching techniques to make the Bible come alive to preteens who are just starting to own a faith of their own. Additionally, each week, there are insanely fun preteens games, unique segments such as Guess Who’s Room and Who Dat, and our special Gremmy Groups, where your preteen is surrounded with fellow preteens to journey through life with, and a Lifeguard (mentor) to help guide them.
New to Surf MidWeek? Come a little early to fill out the FIRST TIMER CARD and be entered into the nightly Prize Jar drawing!
Surf MidWeek runs the last week of August to the first week of May. Check out the Summer Calendar for MidWeek programming throughout the summer.
Winter Camp for preteens at Hartland Christian Camp is an awesome way for 5th and 6th Grade students to learn more about Jesus and take a step in owning their own faith. An amazing weekend of fun, singing, games, messages by an awesome speaker, and meeting new friends.
Cost TBD
Registration will begin Sep 3
Our Preparing for Adolescence Class is designed for 6th Grade students. Runs for 6 weeks on Sundays at the Surf Shack.
4th Graders will once again move up early this year on March 5th, 2023. This means that they are a full part of Surf at that point, and will no longer attend Camp AdventureLand classes or events.
A meaningful, memorable event just for 6th Grade students and their parents. Our annual event includes dinner, a gift from Pastor Chip, plus a very special “right of passage” blessing given privately from parents to their preteen.
$15 | Per Parent
Free | 6th Graders
Email Pastor Chip at [email protected] for more information, or if you did not receive an in-mail invitation.
VBX is an extreme version of our summer Vacation Bible Adventure — just for 5th and 6th Grade students!
**In addition to the morning programs at NewCov, VBX includes afternoon experiences just for preteens: roller skating, bowling, DEFY, and more.
VBX is an awesome place for preteens just beginning to explore their relationship with Jesus Christ, as well as those who have grown up in the church and are seeking to strengthen their personal relationship with God.
Registration for VBX 2023 will begin on Easter Sunday!
Wagon Train is a fun, rustic summer camp for 5th and 6th Grade students. This old west experience includes sleeping in a real covered wagon, learning archery, BB guns, paddling in canoes & kayaks around the pond, and exploring Fort Logan (a 3-story island fort). They’ll be sitting around campfires singing worship songs, memorizing scripture, watching amazing skits about the Bible performed by the Wagon Train staff, and joining morning and evening services listening to the Good News of Jesus and his love for us.
$715 | Per Camper
Preteen Pastor
Hey y’all. My wife, Tara Jo and I have been ministering at NewCov since 2009 in various roles throughout the Family Ministry world. Mostly as the Kids and Preteen Pastor. We have 3 teenage boys, who all have chosen to follow Jesus: Miles, Ty and Eli.
I have the privilege of getting to do a lot of public speaking at both camps for preteens, as well as, conferences throughout the United States as a representative of a great organization called fourfivesix.org.
While I get paid to do what I love, Tara Jo, is known as the girl whisper, despite having three boys, because she is one of the wisest mentors for young girls on the planet!
Surf Administrator
I’ve been married to Dan for 26 years, and we’ve been at NewCov even longer! We have 4 kids: 2 are in college (1 of those is in the Air National Guard), and 2 are in high school. We love traveling and serving at our church!