Workshop Descriptions
Ages and Stages
Captain Katherine Clausell (Eastern Michigan)
Successful programs have one thing in common--leaders who bring and design programming with a developmental perspective. This workshop will provide leaders of Salvation Army youth and young adult programs with an overview of child development from birth to young-adulthood in the context of already existing Salvation Army programs. Additionally, workshop participants will be asked to take a critical look at the programs they run and redesign them
Assets in Congregations
Colonel Carol Seiler (Territorial Headquarters)
"Approaching youth development with a building block approach to increase success of young people for their future lives, regardless of the program. What are developmental assets (tm) and how can I change lives with focus?"
Behavioral and Emotional Issues
Shari Luhn (Wisconsin & Upper Michigan)
There is no such thing as a "bad kid!" However, there are some kids who seem to make a lot of bad choices. In this session, we will talk about some of the possible reasons for the bad behavior in Sunday school and some strategies to help you redirect their behavior in a more positive direction. We will also talk about some warning signs that might indicate you will need to seek more help for your student, and about some resources, you can go to for this help. Bring some real life examples (leaving out the real names, of course!) and we will work together to come up with some solutions.
Community Centers
Major David Harvey (Metropolitan)
Empowering Youth to be Leaders
Sherrie Trucker (Northern)
Imagine a corps where youth pass into young adulthood already equipped for leadership! Some say that leaders are born, but it is also true that leaders can be grown. Christian Education for all ages should include a leadership development component. Find some easy ways to start training even your youngest children to start taking their places as leaders.
How to Lead A Child to Christ
Major Norman & Claire Grainger (Midland)
Intentional Discipleship Methods for Children's Ministries
Envoy Trish Taube (Wisconsin & Upper Michigan)
When it comes to children's ministry, fun is good, but how do you take kids deeper into the Word? Come join us as we explore the biblical principals for youth discipleship and some practical and fun ways to incorporate discipleship into your current youth programming. Methods and materials that make this doable regardless of your experience level will make discipleship something your kids want to be a part of!
Junior Soldiers
Sharon Waiksnoris (Territorial Headquarters - Youth Department)
Are you tired of finding Junior Soldier worksheets in the trash or left behind in the classroom? Are you running dry and need some fresh ideas for your Junior Soldier ministry? Come join us as we discuss the purposes of the Junior Soldier program and how we can incorporate some fun ways to reinforce and review the lesson material without a worksheet along with other creative ideas for engaging your Junior Soldiers. Come prepared to share your own tried and true methods as well.
Keys to Sunday School
Captain Beth McComb (Territorial Headquarters - Youth Department)
Open the door to a more successful Sunday school! Discover six proven keys you can use this Sunday to enliven your class and to help it grow. Get back to the real purpose of Sunday school and put it into practice at your corps.
In the Keys to Sunday School Session, we will discuss the purposes of Sunday school and focus on how each aspect of The Salvation Army Sunday School program works together to fulfill those purposes. Come prepared to share your successes and challenges. Let us work together to fine tune the keys to Sunday school and open the doors of Evangelism and Discipleship in our corps. With a vibrant Sunday School, we will strengthen the foundation of families in our communities.
Motivating Tweens
Kelly Hanton (Territorial Headquarters - Youth Department)
Tweens don't just fit in to ministries not made for them. Kids this age often become lost at church if there is not a program that meets their unique developmental, social and spiritual needs. Here is how to create a ministry just for them!
Programming for Girls
Juanita Belcher (Heartland)
Programming for girls! This workshop is going to look at staying relevant with the girls in todays world. We are going to discuss going outside the "normal" meeting. We will also be looking at how we can make our time with the girls be more productive and want the girls to bring their friends to our programs. Be prepared for some fun!
Spanish translation - Junior Soldiers
Sharon Waiksnoris (Territorial Headquarters - Youth Department)
Spanish translation - Keys to Sunday School
Captain Beth McComb (THQ)
Spanish translation - Programming for Girls
Juanita Belcher (Heartland)
Spanish translation - Sports Ministry
Darryl Winston (Kansas & Western Missouri)
Spanish translation - Working with the New Corps Cadet Material
Barb Higgins (Territorial Headquarters - Youth Department)
Sports Ministry
Darryl Winston (Kansas & Western Missouri)
Sports is one of the few activities that bring people together no matter where you are on the globe. Color, race, language, religion, age and gender are all forgotten on the sporting field and on the court. In the session on Sports Ministry we will discuss:
  • Using Sports as a recruiting tool for the Salvation Army
  • Which sports are good for your Corp or community center
  • “Play like a Champion today” (a program that helps members appreciate the underlying spiritual dimension of sports)
  • Stressing that Coaches aren't only teachers but Youth ministers, who have a special opportunity to help children and teenagers develop not only physically and socially, but also morally and SPIRTUALLY
Technology and Youth Work
Eric Himes (Territorial Headquarters - Youth Department)
Where can you always find a group of young people hanging out, discussing issues, telling jokes and having heart-to-heart conversations? Ten years ago “youth group” or “the street corner” might have been the answer. Today it’s far more likely for youth to interact online—on Twitter or Face book. You may be tempted to view technology as a threat to youth work but if you keep the right perspective (and set correct boundaries) you will realize that technology presents a incredible opportunity for youth workers to communicate and engage with young people, promote events and be highly effective in their ministry.
Understanding and Working with Children with Special Needs
Major Tammy Miller, DYS (Wisconsin & Upper Michigan)
Many children with special needs struggle with self direction and free play. You will learn 18 tips for creating friendly environments for special needs kids in your corps.
Working with the New Corps Cadet Material
Barb Higgins (Territorial Headquarters - Youth Department)
Program without purpose is powerless. Are you in the trenches teaching the Corps Cadets at your corps? This class will help you understand the purpose of the Corps Cadet program and will lead you to an understanding of the materials. Whether you are a brand new leader or have been at it for years, this class will help you understand what it takes to transform today's teens into effective leaders.
Working with Transient Children
Captain Pat Towne (WMNI)
In this workshop, the following topics will be discussed: 1) Understanding poverty and how it affects the lives of children; 2) Effective strategies for working with transient families, families of generational poverty and families with mental illness and; 3) How effective youth leaders can empower children from difficult circumstances in life to be all they can be.
Pre-Conference Workshop Descriptions
Community Center Ministry from the Ground Up
Major David Harvey (Metropolitan)
In this class we will look at:
I. Community Centers - the key to the next generation
II. The business and ministry of community Centers: Kroc Centers as a new paradigm
III. Old and New programs to bring people to your center and Christ to your community

Every student will be able to leave this seminar with more knowledge of how to do programs in their corps with or without a community center building. They will be able to learn what potential ministries and jobs could be used in community centers and how to reach their community for Christ through CC programs.
Day Camp and After School Programs
Charol McDonald (Eastern Michigan)
Are you currently running a community center or after school program? Working in a community center or an after school program? Do you someday hope to run or work in a community center or an after school program? Are you running out of ideas for programs? Networking is great way to get new ideas and to feel encouraged about the programming that you are already doing! We will talk about various potential community center programs, brainstorm their benefits, ways to enhance what you are already doing, plan outreach activities, and talk about the importance of bridging community center members into the corps ministry.
Effective Children's Ministry Models
Majors Kelly & Donna Igleheart ( Southern Territory)
In this Pre-conference workshop, we will experience four different options for expanding our ministry models beyond the traditional programming. Intergenerational and outreach opportunities will be covered by SQUADS and Baby SQUADS. Club 316 will focus on ministering effectively to children in our Corps Community Centers. The Salvation Army Youth Leadership Academy will walk you through meeting the social, spiritual and academic leadership qualities in your teens. EMERGE is a strategy to give your teens the knowledge, spiritual, physical and mental, they need to choose life with their Creator in a God-glorifying way.
First Aid for Children Who Witness Violence
Captain Katherine Clausell (Eastern Michigan)
"Be careful little eyes what you see" is not merely a cliche, but is a powerful truism about the impact of experiences; particularly traumatic experiences like violence, on children and adults. This workshop is designed to help leaders understand the impact of exposure to violence on the physical, emotional and spiritual well-being of children, youth and young adults. In this workshop, leaders will be provided with tools (first aid) for helping youth and young adults get the most out of our programs, despite the challenges they face and present in the context of Salvation Army programming. Leaders do not have feel frustration and confusion about why some kids in their programs seem to "get it" while others seem to come only to disrupt your program goals. this workshop will give leaders a new perspective on the needs of children who come to Salvation Army programs and empower them to achieve positive outcomes for children and youth.
Literacy America
Major Jan Hendrickson (Northern)
45 million Americans can't read the road signs, can't read the labels in the grocery store, can't read their children's school work - can't read God's word. 50 million more Americans can only read at a 4th grade level. These figures do not include the millions of foreign nationals who not only cannot read and write English but cannot speak it either. It is a national crisis! Millions and millions of adults and children struggling to cope in a world that is often confusing, frustrating - and dangerous. At our very fingertips is the answer everyone is looking for, not only to read and write, understand and speak English but to learn that God loves them. Mission: Literacy! You are strategically positioned with after school and summer day camp programs to partner with the American Bible Society and offer a solution to this seemingly hopeless situation. The materials and training are free to you, this is a God given opportunity to close the gap for at-risk children and adults. Not only helping to make lives better now but for eternity!
Spanish Translation - Effective Children's Ministry Models
Majors Kelly & Donna Igleheart (Southern Territory)
TSAO
Jerrie Miller (Territorial Headquarters - Youth Department) and Jill Johnson (Eastern Michigan)
TSAO - Looking for a way to make outdoor education a part of your local ministry? The Salvation Army offers young people many opportunities for outdoor experiences, not only in camping programs, but also in character building programs available in corps across the territory. Come to this class to learn about an exciting new initiative that will offer practical ideas you can begin to implement with your own troops.
Urban Ministries
Major Phil Aho (Territorial Headquarters - Program Department)
Claiming and Reclaiming Youth At Risk - ReFuel pre-conference workshop will present the Circle of Courage model for positive youth development. Core values of belonging, mastery, independence, and generosity define the Circle and can help those who work with young people establish purpose for programs, relationships, and prayers. The four sessions will include an introduction to the Circle of Courage, three 20 minute training videos with discussion, and a concluding open forum allowing participants to share how the Circle of Courage model intersects their work with young people.
Young Adults: The Missing Generation
Eric Himes (Territorial Headquarters - Youth Department)
When church leaders look into the minds and hearts of today,’s young adults they soon realize that reaching the millennial generation goes much deeper than simply dressing casual or changing the style of worship. In this Pre-Conference session, Eric Himes will discuss the characteristics that are unique to young adults, what they are looking for in a church community and how your corps can effectively reach out and integrate these leaders into your corps family.
Youth Ministries' Main Stage
Barb Higgins (Territorial Headquarters - Youth Department)
The purpose of youth ministry is to provide communities through which you can explore and affirm teens as gifted people of God and help them to actively live out their Christian faith within the body of Christ. Every youth worker wants to build a thriving purposed-filled ministry with the outcomes of developing fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ. Far too many youth workers expend energy running around frantically trying to keep the program going, without any clear sense of direction. Youth Ministries' Main Stage will explore how to build a youth ministry that is passionately centered on Jesus.