By Paula Frazee

KANSAS CITY, Mo.--Attendees began checking into Three Trails Camp and Conference Center at 11 o'clock the morning of Saturday, Feb. 19, for the ninth annual Kansas City Youth Retreat. Thirty-two teens and young-adult staff members attended the three-day activity.

The retreat had begun with a special youth Sabbath at the church service of the Church of God Kansas City.

Church service

Dave Havir of Big Sandy, Texas, conducted an interactive Bible study for the youths in a classroom, while Lenny Cacchio of Lees Summit, Mo., conducted an interactive Bible study for the adults in the main hall.

Mr. Havir asked: "How much grace does God give you?"

He explained the value of God's law, but he also stressed the importance of God's "marvelous grace."

The topic of Mr. Cacchio's study was a continuation of the K.C. group's continuing study called "The Harmony of the Gospels."

A church service followed, with many of the young people participating.

o Preston Coleman of Smithville, Mo., accompanied hymns on drums, with Herschel Kessee of Blue Springs, Mo., and Patrick Monahan of Tonganoxie, Kan., on trumpet.

o Jennifer Cacchio of Lees Summit and Rachel Coleman of Smithville read from the Scriptures.

o For special music Mr. Kessee performed a trumpet solo, and Mr. Monahan performed clarinet and piano solos.

In Mr. Havir's sermon, "Who's Looking Out for You?," a main point was an exhortation to young and old to recognize and appreciate people in their lives who "look out" for them.

He said that only a handful of people are interested in looking out for you.

He concluded by saying that, even if people or institutions don't look out for you, the Father and the Son will not shirk that responsibility.

Erid Steele of Stockton gave the closing prayer immediately before the potluck meal.

The youths traveled to the camp for the evening's activities. After a welcome message and the introduction of the camp staff, the group played three rounds of killer wink (a get-acquainted game).

The main activity for the evening was a dance, with Gary Jones of Independence, Mo., a member of the Living Church of God, serving as deejay. The decorations followed a Mexican theme. Therefore the refreshments included nachos.

The campers stayed in rooms at the camp.

On Sunday the campers had their choice of free-time activities in the morning including crafts, football, basketball, volleyball, table tennis, pool, foosball and other table games.

Immediately before lunch Mr. Havir conducted an interactive Bible study that broached the subject of baptism. Although the study was not required for campers, a large number of them chose to attend.

After lunch the campers participated in a "photo scavenger hunt." After some more free time, they traveled to an indoor sports complex for two hours of laser tag.

After a dinner of pizza the campers spent more free time with sports, crafts and games. Later in the evening they participated in a cake-decorating contest, with prizes awarded in three categories, as follows.

Daniel Frazee of Springfield won the portrait category, Brittney Kurr of Tulsa, Okla., won in the landscape category, and Miss Cacchio won the modern-art category. After another evening at the camp, the attendees left for their homes on Monday.

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