2026 Youth Program at Hope: An Intro from Youth Director Leo Sarrade
I might be new to being a youth group leader, but I am not new to leading youth. I have been a coach, tutor, camp counselor, mentor, and father. I am excited to be the new youth group leader for my Hope Lutheran family! I have gotten a lot of great support from the congregation as well as Pastor Aaron. We hope to grow this group so that our youth have a safe place to learn God’s message, ask questions, and find support in their faith community.
We will be meeting the first and third Wednesdays of the month from 5:30pm to 7pm. Typically, there is some food and drinks to enjoy while I go over a reading. We usually have a pretty fun conversation on the topic and share stories from our lives that might relate. As soon as we are done with food and conversations, we get right to some fun activities, like ping-pong. We will be having monthly field trips where the greater congregation and friends are invited. This month the kids have chosen a beach day, and possibly an aquarium trip (likely Avila Beach). The date will be 3/29 and we will be leaving after church. So all who want to join are welcome and I’m hoping that carpooling will be easier leaving after church. Consider this your official invitation!
So far, the start of the youth group is small and humble. We have a small group of elementary-age kiddos, but welcome a larger, more age-diverse group. I have also reached out to the Sunday School/youth leader from Bethel in Templeton. We might see some youth from that congregation joining as well. Right now, I am able to handle the group successfully (more or less!). If the number of participants gets much bigger, I might need a rotating volunteer to help shepherd the group. Sometimes, the kids like to scatter!
Some of you may have noticed one of the rooms is now home to the new ping-pong table. A few weeks ago, I was approached by one of our awesome and astute youth group members and he pointed out that the nursery is only for kids up to age five. I saw this as a good opportunity to commandeer the minimally used room across the hall and turn it into a youth room for the next-older age bracket. The kids have added some wish list items to papers tacked to the cork board. They are mostly small items like cushions/bean bags to sit on, a smart TV dongle, and things of that nature. If you are curious, please take a look at the notes on the board and if you have some of these items laying around, let me know! We might be able to find a second life them in the new kids room.
As spring and summer days are around the corner, I’m sure there will be plenty of activities and adventures. We have talked about youth group meetings in fun places like pools, hikes, parks, outdoor theaters, and many other great spots. Get the word out and invite kids you know to come be a part of the fun every other Wednesday starting the first Wednesday of the month from 5:30pm to 7pm!
P.S. There are rumblings about using the remaining Wednesdays for a “Not so Youth” Group (I’m still working on the name) for those more in the 18-to-something range.
Please let me know if you are interested!
