We’re in the second half of August but the youth of Blue Mountain Community Church’s Elevate Student Ministry group weren’t ready to give up on summer yet during a Wednesday outing at Baer Memorial Pool in Lehighton.

“We just want the kids to know that someone in this world cares about them,” BMCC Pastor Cliff Eckhart said. “The world’s not always an easy place, but here’s a place where they can be themselves, be authentic and get some support for life beyond the family structure.”

Elevate is made up of area students in grades 7-12. Regular meetings are held Wednesday nights from 6-8:30 p.m. at Blue Mountain Community Church in Palmerton.

“Those regular meetings are a time to get together at the church and play some games, have some praise time and then have a lesson that’s going to be life application,” Eckhart said. “There is small group time afterward where kids can talk to a counselor and go deeper on that night’s lesson and how they can apply it.”

In addition to swimming on Wednesday, games such as Spike Ball and cornhole were held on a rotating basis with kids able to win prizes. A basket from Jenny’s Sweets and More in Lehighton, a movie basket, and gift certificates to different area businesses were among the prizes up for grabs.

Wednesday’s pool day is one of many outreach events throughout the year for Elevate.

“We went skating in May,” Lisa Neff, who helps oversee the Elevate program, said. “In June, we went to the Creation Christian Festival, and coming up we have a trip to Yenser’s Tree Farm to do a corn maze at nighttime.”

Asked what they like best about Elevate, students said the experiences are not only a great getaway, but help them become closer to God.

“It takes any bad thoughts you have away when you’re spending time with your friends,” student Evan Barbow said.

Attendance numbers have been impressive as the group drew over 100 people for the skating event and routinely gets around 30-40 participants depending on the activity.

Elevate Student Ministries has Facebook and Instagram pages, but Eckhart and Neff said the kids themselves have been the best promotion.

“Even at our regular meetings, I would say half the students who come don’t come to the church,” Eckhart said. “They come to Elevate because they feel it’s a worthwhile investment.”