How we help empower youth

Ministry to children and youth is a high priority for The Salvation Army.  Because we want every child to reach his/her full potential, we offer a wide range of activities to help them grow to be all God has designed them to be.

Our youth program coordinator/pastor, Shawna, and her team of volunteers help to create an environment where all children can find love, support, care, and a place to learn.  If you would like more information on any of our youth programs, Shawna can be reached at 810.232.2199.

Character Building Programs

We offer Character Building programs for grades Pre-K through 12 on Wednesday evenings, September through May. Children earn emblems through activities ranging from practical living (e.g., how to set a table, hygiene, and parenting) to building skills (e.g., music, woodworking, and first aid) to growing spiritually (e.g., Bible, prayer, and church) to having fun (e.g., camping, field trips, and planning parties). 

Day Camp

Our day camp program runs mid-June through mid-August.  A wide variety of activities are planned to give the kids a growing and learning experience in a fun, caring, and safe environment. Swimming, field trips, gym time, reading time, and crafts are a few of the activities the children enjoy throughout the summer.

Overnight Camp

The Salvation Army Echo Grove Camp is located in Leonard and offers a wide range of camping experiences for youth. For a list of specific camps and dates, please click here:  https://centralusa.salvationarmy.org/echogrove/overnight-opportunities

Flint Beecher Open Gym 

During the school year, we offer an open gym program for teenagers in our community. The program is Tuesday through Friday from 3-6 p.m., and is available for teenagers who are 13 to 18 years old. The teenagers are able to participate in basketball. The cost for this program is only $1.00 per person per day.

Flint Beecher Kids Cafe

During the school year (September through May) we offer a hot meal for children ages 18 and under.  This meal is completely free of charge and is available Tuesday through Friday from 4 to 5:45 p.m.

Music Programs

We have music programs available for both young people and adults.  Every week, we have singing and instrumental group rehearsals for all levels of ability. A youth performance night is scheduled twice a year for the children to share the progress they’ve made with friends, family and the community.  In addition to our youth music programs, we have music programs for ages 14 and up. Our brass band performs a couple concerts each year that are open to the public, and both our band and our choir are a part of our morning worship service each Sunday.