Recreation Express - Game planing software for your computer

The process of planning recreation comes naturally for some and not so much for others like me. Staring at all those books can just be mind-numbing. I want to tell you about a cd-rom resource called Recreation Express . It brings together good old games books and planning software for your computer. Here is how it works.

Simply select: Age Group, Length of Time for Activities, Level of Activity, Indoor or Outdoor, Size of Group, Formation.

Recreation Express searches the database of activities, and displays choices of games with directions and a supply list that meets your needs.

This software, with over 100 games, is a must for: Recreation Leaders; PE Teachers; Boy / Girl Scout Leaders; Youth Workers; Activities Director; camp counselor; Sunday School Teacher; Human Resources Manager; Family Reunion Leader; and countless others!

Recreation Express was created by Beth Gunn and Lee Cross.  You can learn more about this product by following the link below.

http://recreationexpress.com 

Twitter as a Spiritual Discipline

I'd like to recommend a blog posting by Aaron Marshall called "Twitter as a Spiritual Discipline." Aaron is a kindred spirit here in Louisville that pays attention to technology and ministry. In his article he's explaining why he believes that Twitter or Twitter.com can be used as a Spiritual Discipline. Please watch this video for a little background on twitter.



Here is a link to the article I'm referring to. http://churchsmo.com/2008/06/01/twitter-as-a-spiritual-discipline/

"Generation C"

I recently found an excellent online publication called Trend Watching http://www.trendwatching.com/. They are an independent and opinionated consumer trends firm, relying on a global network of 8,000 spotters, working hard to deliver inspiration and pangs of anxiety to business professionals in 120+ countries worldwide. They publish a free monthly trend report for marketers, CEOs, researchers, and anyone else interested in the future of business and consumerism, to dream up new goods, services and experiences for (or even better, with) their customers.

I strongly believe this type of information can be a great tool for youth ministry as well. This months Trend Report features an article called "Generation C". Here is a short excerpt...

No, this is not about a new niche generation of youngsters born between March 12, 1988 and April 24, 1993; the C stands for CONTENT, and anyone with even a tiny amount of creative talent can (and probably will) be part of this not-so-exclusive trend.

So what is it all about? The GENERATION C phenomenon captures the an avalanche of consumer generated 'content' that is building on the Web, adding tera-peta bytes of new text, images, audio and video on an ongoing basis.

To read the rest of this story please visit http://www.trendwatching.com/trends/GENERATION_C.htm. For the most recent Trend report please visit http://www.trendwatching.com/briefing/.

Truth About Online Sex Predators by MobLogic.tv

We get questions from parents all the time about the scary internet and all those sex predators. This is a great story done by MobLogic.tv that helps seperate myths from realities.

Youth Ministry Gadget of the Future?

Leader - Ok, it's time to get on the van and head home. Do we have everyone?
Youth - No, jenny's missing!
Leader - Well, where is she?
Youth - I think she's still in the bathroom.
Leader - What bathroom?
Youth - The one we passed on the way to the parking lot.

Does that sounds familiar to you? Do you ever wish that you could just track the kids with GPS. Here is a company thats made just that possible. On the record I would never do this. At least I don't think I would.

RFID Chips in School Uniforms Track Students

A Vision of Students Today

This is a short video summarizing some of the most important characteristics of students today - how they learn, what they need to learn, their goals, hopes, dreams, what their lives will be like, and what kinds of changes they will experience in their lifetime. Created by Michael Wesch in collaboration with 200 students at Kansas State University.

New Health and Environment Resource for Youth Leaders

The choices we make for our families and the way we care for God’s Earth are intricately related to human health and the health of all creation. Today, pollutants and toxic chemicals contaminate our water, our land, our personal care products, and our children’s toys. Many studies have found links between these contaminants and health conditions ranging from asthma to cancer, especially in vulnerable populations such as children, women, communities of color, and low-income communities.

Download a copy of the new environmental health resource from the National Council of Churches Eco-Justice Program, Mindful Living: Human Health, Pollution, and Toxics, to learn how to maintain the sanctity of our bodily temples and ensure that health of God’s good Earth. This resource is full of ideas for parents and youth leaders to learn more and to find youth and adult study ideas, sermon starters, worship materials, and more! Learn more about the NCC environmental health initiative or download a copy of Mindful Living at www.nccecojustice.org/mindful_living.html.

Chloe Schwabe
Assistant Director of Environmental Health
National Council of Churches Eco-Justice Programs
110 Maryland Avenue, NE
Washington, DC 20002
cschwabe@ncccusa.org
202-481-6932
www.nccecojustice.org