2024 Kansas District Youth Gathering

November 15-17, 2024

Rock Springs 4-H Ranch

Junction City, KS

The Kansas District Youth Gathering (KDYG) will be held November 15-17, 2024, at Rock Springs 4-H Ranch, located south of Junction City (1168 Highway K157, Junction City, KS 66441). This year’s KDYG theme will be “Run,” based on Hebrews 12:1. The KDYG is an event for youth currently in grades 9-12.

Due to rising costs of hospitality contracts, the Kansas District has decided to move the 2024 KDYG event to Rock Springs Ranch so that we can continue to provide high quality, Christ-centered programming while practicing good financial stewardship on behalf of the District and our congregations. As always, we welcome your support and feedback as we move forward. To learn more about Rock Springs Ranch, visit their website at https://rockspringsranch.org 

The Kansas District Youth Gathering is one month away! Below are a few notes to help adult leaders and youth feel prepared for the event. Note: It is not too late to register additional youth for the KDYG.

• Make sure that each congregation comes to the KDYG with Medical Forms for all attending youth. These are to remain in the possession of the adult leaders and will not be collected. If your congregation does not have a medical form, please download the Kansas District Medical forms found below as clickable icons.
  
• It is LCMS Kansas District Policy that congregations have a background check on file for all adult leaders who attend the KDYG. This is especially important this year as our housing situation consists of cabins, which will house both adults and youth in the same room.

• One of the opportunities for the KDYG weekend is a 2-mile Run/Walk on Saturday evening. Youth and adults may participate or cheer on their peers. If you have youth who you believe should not participate, it might be good to have a conversation with them in advance to the KDYG.

• The cellular reception at Rock Springs is spotty. On the positive side, this will encourage our youth to engage with one another without the distraction of devices. It does however mean that we will have less communication with parents and others from home. This is also important if your youth choose to use a digital Bible, as it will need to be downloaded in advance of arriving at Rock Springs.

Regular registration runs from October 1 – 24. The cost is $190 per participant and includes lodging, a T-shirt, and Saturday-Sunday meals.

Late registration runs from October 25 – 31. The cost increases to $210 per participant. There is no guarantee of a T-shirt during late registration.

Included below are the KDYG Registration link, the KDYG schedule, and the Kansas District Medical Consent and Youth Media Release forms that are required for each participant. Each participant must bring these completed forms with them to KDYG.

Reminder: It is the LCMS Kansas District policy that all adults attending District youth events have background checks on file at their congregations. For help with this and other District youth policies, please click on the Youth Protection Policy and Guidelines icon below. Thank you for keeping our District youth safe.

If you have any questions, please contact DCE Amanda Adams (Christ, Topeka) at dceadams@christlcms.org or by cell phone at 785-632-7101.

Keynote Speaker

Rev. Andrew Nelson

Associate Pastor, Chapel of the Cross Lutheran Church, St. Peters, Mo.

Andrew Nelson grew up in Missouri and Kansas and attended Concordia University, Nebraska. He served as a DCE for 12 years in Illinois and Missouri, working primarily in youth ministry. After running away from God for long enough, Andrew enrolled at Concordia Seminary and was ordained as a pastor in 2023. He currently serves as Associate Pastor at Chapel of the Cross Lutheran Church in St. Peters, Mo. Andrew and his wife, Laura, have been married for 15 years and have two incredible daughters and one adorable pup! When he’s not busy being a husband, dad, and pastor, Andrew enjoys playing sports, drinking good coffee, binge-watching TV shows, and reading his favorite book.

“In all I do, it is my goal to reflect my Savior, Jesus Christ, and deliver the goods of His Gospel in word and deed.”