At Cave Spring United Methodist Church, youth fellowship is a strong asset to the church and its families. It reaches out to junior and senior high students providing a wide array of service, worship, educational and entertaining activities from which to choose. It gives youth a chance to go out into our community to help others in need or to meet new people while doing fun activities inside as well as outside the church. Some service projects the youth embark on include:

• leaf raking for the elderly
• volunteering at the R.A.M. House
• visiting residents at nursing homes
• Christmas caroling
• projects for the Ronald McDonald House
• participating in the CROP Walk and Relay-for-Life
• sponsoring church fellowship meals to raise money
• homework tutoring at Trinity C.O.P.

Youth members and their friends can volunteer to serve others through the projects of the United Methodist Youth Fellowship. Also, youth are encouraged to volunteer for mission trips such as the Appalachia Service Project for senior highs and the Junior High Mission Weekends sponsored by the Virginia Conference. We also give to the United Methodist Youth Service Fund, sending all proceeds from the annual Haunted Hayride Retreat each autumn.

Youth at our church are also involved in many "in-house" volunteer works including:

• assisting at the Advent Workshop each year
• baby-sitting during worship, extended session, meetings, etc.
• yard work
• helping with the children's Easter Egg Hunt
• helping teachers at Vacation Bible School

Activities designed for fun and fellowship include youth "lock-ins," praise parties, retreats, bowling, lazer tag, holiday parties, theme park trips, white water rafting, and so much more!

Our UMYF is dedicated to growth in Christian faith and fellowship. It meets on Sunday evenings September through June from 6:00 to 7:30 for sharing, service projects, study and social activities and every other week July and August. UMYF is divided into three groups:

• 6th and 7th Grade Junior High
• 8th & 9th Grade Junior High
• Senior High

Weekly activities are planned during the summer. All UMYF members have a "Secret Shepherd" (mentor) who prays daily for their "sheep" and makes an anonymous contact once a month by card and an occasional small gift. UMYF sponsors a "Youth Bible Talk" weekly September through May that meets in members' homes for Bible study and discussion.