Get Refreshed During Student Life at Gatlinburg

By Darryl Payne

June is an exciting month in the Smokies as teens and young adults pour into the area for Student Life at Gatlinburg. This five-day event offers inspiring worship services, eye-opening Bible studies and Christian concerts that keep your spirit high and your faith bolstered. While the days are packed with lots of inspirational activities, there is also free time allowing for fellowshipping and sightseeing.

This is the perfect combination of motivation and excitement in a Christian environment. Whether you're planning to bring a large youth group or just a few friends and family members, Student Life at Gatlinburg is the place to be.

The agenda is filled with fun from beginning to end including celebration and worship times each morning and evening lead by two outstanding speakers, Louie Giglio and Jared Hall. Louie Giglio, founder of Choice Ministries, is often described as a passionate preacher dedicated to the youth of America. In addition to Choice Ministries, he's also founded the Passion Conferences and Six Steps Records. Jared Hall is a well-known Christian illusionist who teaches the Bible using illusions and humor.

Music is another core element of Student Life at Gatlinburg. The groups Fee and Leeland will get everyone up and moving as they performing music from their albums "We Shine" and "Opposite Way." There's also a special concert by the award-winning David Crowder Band. Teens and adults will have a blast listening to the inspirational sounds from these awesome musicians.

You might expect registration fees to include admission to all activities, but they also cover lodging at a hotel or condo for four nights. In addition, each participant will receive an event t-shirt as well as a copy of the camp magazine. All activities of Student Life at Gatlinburg will take place at the Gatlinburg Convention Center. Each participant is responsible for his/her own transportation and food.

During your free time at Student Life at Gatlinburg, make a point to take in some of God's most beautiful creations. The Great Smoky Mountain National Park is brimming with outdoor adventure including hiking, horseback riding and fishing all wrapped in some of the most breathtaking scenery in the country.

There's a variety of other activities to be found. For instance, Pigeon Forge is home to Dollywood theme park offering thrilling rides, scrumptious food and family-friendly entertainment. Ober Gatlinburg has ice-skating, mini-golf and the daring Alpine Slide. Water lovers can splash it up with tubing, rafting and kayaking all available nearby.

In Gatlinburg, you'll also find a great selection of restaurants for every budget and preference from fast food to five-star. Virtually every style of food is available from burgers and dogs to seafood, steaks and the good ole country cookin' the south is famous for.

Rather than empty days of boredom, fill your teen's summer with an event bound to leave a lasting impact. Student Life at Gatlinburg will educate, uplift and refresh all who attend while preparing each one to be a better, more productive child of God.