Valley YOUTH NETWORK

A PLACE THAT HELPS YOU STEP INTO A HOPE-FILLED FUTURE

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YOU BELONG HERE

Valley Youth Network exists to point high school students toward Jesus Christ. Through fellowship, service, mission trips, Bible studies, and Christ-centered community, we walk alongside teenagers as they grow in faith, discover their God-given purpose, and learn what it means to live beyond themselves. For over 30 years, VYN has been a place where students from across the Ligonier Valley come together — not under one church roof, but under one calling — to know God and make Him known.

“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God”
— Micah 6:8

Valley Youth Network was born in 1994 out of a simple conviction: that the teenagers of the Ligonier Valley deserve a place to encounter Jesus — regardless of which church they call home. What started as a gathering of students who wanted something more has grown into a community that spans generations. Over three decades, hundreds of students have walked through the doors of the Barn on a Thursday night, boarded vans for mission trips across the country and beyond, served their neighbors, hiked mountaintops, studied Scripture together, and built the kind of friendships that only come from doing life side by side.

VYN continues to be a space where high schoolers are welcomed as they are, challenged to grow, and sent out to make a difference. We are led by people who believe deeply in the next generation — and who show up every week because we've seen what God does when young people are given a place to belong.

Who we are

Founded in 1991 by a group of concerned individuals in the Ligonier Valley, the Valley Youth Network (VYN) began as a grassroots mission to reach out to area high school youth. The founders of VYN envisioned an organization that would complement and extend the impact of youth groups in a number of Churches in the Ligonier Valley. The goal of this youth ministry is to provide youth with the tools they need to resist the downward pull of risk factors that exist in every community and move towards healthy, hopeful, responsible, future-oriented, and service-minded decisions.

VYN is a nondenominational organization, not affiliated with any one church. In this stance VYN can offer opportunities for fellowship, community service, and Christian action to young people from many churches and denominations. Some local Churches with very small youth groups expand and enhance the opportunities available to their young people by participating in the comprehensive activities offered by Valley Youth Network.

What we believe

Valley Youth Network is a Christ-centered, nondenominational ministry. We believe the Bible is the Word of God, that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the only way to salvation, and that the Holy Spirit is active in the lives of believers today. We believe every person is created with purpose and dignity, and that the local church — in all its forms — is essential to the life of faith. VYN is not a replacement for church. We are a bridge — connecting students to Christ, to each other, and to the calling God has for their lives.

Meet the Team

  • Kip Crumrine

    Executive Director

    Kip is an adventure recreation enthusiast with 35 years of ministry experience.  He directed adventure activities and operations at Summer’s Best Two Weeks, and since then has been the executive director of the Valley Youth Network with his wife  Sandy.  He is passionate about God’s plan for the VYN with weekly events, retreats, mission trips, adventure activities, and community involvement. Kip is a part time ski patroller and soccer coach who loves the outdoors.

  • Tanner Solich

    Director

    Tanner serves as Director of Valley Youth Network, where he is committed to walking alongside high school students and pointing them toward Christ through authentic relationships and meaningful ministry experiences. He runs Solich Photo + Film with his wife Jenna, coaches the Ligonier Valley Rams soccer program, and loves the outdoors, adventure, and a good game. Tanner and Jenna live in Ligonier, PA with their growing family.

  • JENNA SOLICH

    JENNA SOLICH

    Assistant Director
    Jenna serves as Assistant Director of Valley Youth Network, where she is committed to walking alongside students and helping them grow deeply in God's Word through genuine relationships and real discipleship. A Ligonier native, she has a particular heart for mentoring young women and creating space for honest conversation. She runs Solich Photo + Film with her husband Tanner, is a mom of two, and loves hiking, skiing, gardening, and a great cup of coffee.

  • Members of the board

    Jon Bretch -President

    Mick Pompelia -Vice Pres.

    Robin Simpson-Secretary

    Rob Tuscano -Treasurer

    Brian Ayers, Kyle Fritz, Mary Hiles, Bill Lowry, Kelly Lynch, Bekki Reese, Jeremy Springer

Frequently Asked Questions

  • VYN is a nondenominational, Christ-centered youth ministry serving high school students (grades 9–12) across the Ligonier Valley. We've been around since 1994 and offer weekly fellowship, Bible studies, service projects, mission trips, and community events.

  • Absolutely. Student safety is our top priority. All events are supervised by trained adult leaders, and we maintain appropriate adult-to-student ratios. For trips and off-site events, we require signed permission slips and emergency contact information.

  • Weekly fellowship on Thursday nights is completely free. Some special events, trips, and mission trips have associated costs, but we never want finances to be the reason a student can't participate. Scholarships and sponsorships are available — just ask.

  • Students gather at the Barn for an evening that usually includes games or an icebreaker, a message or discussion rooted in Scripture, and time to hang out. It's relaxed, welcoming, and designed to feel like a place where your student can be themselves.

  • Just show up! Thursday fellowship is open to any high schooler during the nine months of the school year and special events throughout the summer. No registration needed for weekly gatherings. For trips and special events, we'll share sign-up details through our website, and social media.

  • There are so many ways! Volunteer as a chaperone for a trip, provide meals for events, or give financially. Reach out to us! We'd love to have you involved.

BE A PART OF WHAT'S NEXT

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BE A PART OF WHAT'S NEXT ✞

Make sure to stay connected as we keep writing the story that God leads us into. We could not do any of this without the hundreds of people who support the ministry!

Raise a child up in the WAY they should GO… and they will not depart from it.

Proverbs 22:6