Programs and Activities

Programming has expanded over the years to keep up with our ever-growing participants and their interests. VYN currently hosts weekly large group meetings, community service projects, annual mission trips, small group bible studies, leadership teams, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, adventure programs, and social events. Further, we publish a quarterly newsletter to keep the community abreast of our activities and to provide our youth with a creative outlet to express their thoughts on God and how the VYN has helped them connect with their faith and community. If you are interested in receiving our newsletter, email us at valleyyouthnetwork@verizon.net.

C.H.I.L. Every Thursday night an average of 85 high school students arrive at the Barn for C.H.I.L. (Christ Happening In Lives!). The hour and a half program is designed to meet the social, physical, and spiritual needs of the high school student. Students join in large group mixers and small group games as they enter the building. After a time of socializing, a simple snack is served, student song leaders take the stage, and a Bible-based message is shared.	Bible Study Valley Youth Network sets asides times each week for Bible Study. There are small group times for just the guys or just the girls and there are regular times with everyone together. These studies are key times for students to learn more about their faith and understand how God’s word applies to their everyday lives. These are powerful times of sharing, discussing, and searching.	Community Service The Valley Youth Network is committed to promoting the value of volunteerism and community service. Students are encouraged to make a commitment to regular service projects. Every month we provide the volunteers needed for the local food pantry. In addition to the food pantry our local projects include volunteering at senior centers, churches, civic organizations, highway cleanup projects and camps.
Annual Mission Trip We have sent groups to Canada, Bahamas, Maine, Mississippi, South Dakota, Guatemala, Puerto Rico, and Kentucky. In 2003 we did our project right here in Ligonier Borough. Our latest trips have been to Everett, PA in 2010, Honduras in 2011, Tuscaloosa, AL in 2012, Beaver Falls, PA in 2013, Harmons, Jamaica in 2014, Pittsburgh in 2015, Charleston, South Carolina in 2016, and Silt, Colorado in 2017	Adventure Valley Youth Network regularly hosts outings to provide healthy recreational activities for youth to nurture personal faith, character, and caring relationships. Youth participate in such activities as rappelling, wall climbing, hiking, bouldering, caving, skiing, snowboarding, whitewater rafting, kayaking, backpacking, and mountain biking.	FCA Breakfast The second Tuesday of every month, the VYN holds a Fellowship of Christian Athletes breakfast at the Barn. The student athletes arrive to the smell of “sticky buns”, cereal, juice, milk, and hot parent-provided breakfast casseroles. While those gathered fill their stomachs, special speakers share a 20 minute devotion that relates to applying Godly principals to the competition field. The breakfast is free and students arrive at their high school on time.
Student Coffeehouse Each month VYN hosts a coffeehouse during C.H.I.L. The Coffeehouse provides a creative outlet for youth to express their faith in God. Youth share their artistic talents by singing songs, playing music, writing poetry, and other acts. The Coffeehouse has proven so successful with our youth that we are now hosting a coffeehouse for adults	G.O.R.E. Each year VYN takes a groups of students to Gore Mountain in New York. The weekend is filled with skiing and fellowship.	And More! VYN works to provide safe, fun activities and events for students to participate in. Each month we plan events such as girls nights, guys nights, broomball on the pond, and more!