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Summer Friendship Gathering Training

These training materials have been developed for all the roles needed for the Summer Friendship Gathering. Some volunteers will fill a single role while others may be fill multiple roles. The videos below have been arranged by specific roles that include all volunteers, volunteer companions, teachers, crafts, activities, service projects, worship leaders, food service, and facility planning.

All Volunteers

All volunteers include volunteers who will participate in the Summer Friendship Gathering with their friends with disabilities and volunteers filling support roles.

Why Summer Friendship Gathering? 

In this episode Don Boden gives an introduction and shares a story of why Summer Friendship Gatherings are important to everyone involved.

This video is intended for all Summer Friendship Gathering volunteers.

Summer Friendship Theme Overview

This episode gives a preview of this year’s Summer Friendship Gathering theme and lessons, “Unshakable.” We will learn how we can have unshakable faith, unshakable focus and how we can live on the unshakable foundation of God’s Word. 

This video is intended for all Summer Friendship Gathering volunteers.

2026 Theme Overview Note Sheet

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Registration 

This episode explains the importance of registration, the volunteers who need to register, those who do not.

This video is intended for all Summer Friendship Gathering volunteers.

Below is the schedule for each day of the Summer Friendship Gathering. 

Discussion Group Leaders and Volunteer Companions

Volunteer companions are any volunteers who will participate in the Summer Friendship Gathering with their friends with disabilities. The small group discussion, craft, activity and service project information is important for the discussion group facilitators and the volunteer companions who participate in discussion groups.

Summer Friendship Gathering – Volunteer Companion

In this episode we offer a vision for the characteristics of a Volunteer Companion. Throughout the Gathering the Companion’s relationship with our friends with disabilities can give a glimpse of the heart of God.

This video is intended for the Summer Friendship Gathering leadership and all volunteer companion teams.

Preparing for Small Group Discussions 

This episode explains the Discussion Group time, which takes place after the Large Group Lesson. We offer tips for preparing the discussion group time for Days 1 and 2 of the Gathering.

This video is intended for those volunteers leading the Discussion Groups, as well as any companion who will be participating in the Discussion Groups.

Large Group Lesson Leaders

Large Group Lesson Leaders plan and teach the Bible lesson on Days 1, 2 and three. This section provides resources that include, Large Groups lesson tips, a teacher’s guide, PowerPoint lessons, sample lessons, object lessons, and skits. The day 3 lesson is taught as the message for the closing worship service. 

Large Group Lesson Tips

This episode offers tips for preparing the large group Bible lesson for all three days of the Gathering.

This video is intended for the teachers leading the large group Bible lessons.

2026 Large Group Lesson Sample – Day 1

In this Bible study “Unshakable”, we learn how we can have unshakable faith like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They were thrown into the fiery furnace because they refused to worship the King’s idol. Their faith proved that God alone is the true King of Kings. 

This video is intended for the teachers leading the large group lessons at the 2026 Summer Friendship Gathering.

2026 Large Group Lesson Sample –  Day 2 

In this Bible study “Unshakable”, Paul and Silas teach us how we can have an unshakable focus even in a prison cell as they pray and sing praises to God. Their worship became a witness to spread the good news of Jesus.

This video is intended for the teachers leading the large group lessons at the 2026 Summer Friendship Gatherings.

2026 Large Group Lesson Sample – Day 3

In this Bible study “Unshakable”, Jesus tells his disciples a parable of an unshakable foundation. When the rains came and the winds blew, the house on the rock stood firm. We can stand firm too when we build our lives on the foundation of God’s Word. 

This video is intended for the teachers leading the large group lessons at the 2026 Summer Friendship Gathering. 

Crafts, Activities, and Service Projects

This video has crafts, activities, and service project ideas for the 2026 Summer Friendship Gatherings. Below are the directions and samples of this year’s crafts. 

Photography and Publicity

Summer Friendship Gathering – Photography and Publicity 

In this episode, Don Boden explains the importance of photography and publicity and photography tips to raise the awareness for your Friendship group and the Summer Friendship Gathering in your church.
This video is intended for the Friendship or Gathering leadership teams, the photography, and publicity teams.

Worship Leadership

 Worship Leadership

This is the material for the volunteers who will be leading the worship music during the large group lessons, planning the worship songs, and planning the Day 3 worship service for the Summer Friendship Gathering.

Facility Planning

Summer Friendship Gathering – Facility Planning 

In this episode we provide valuable information to help you plan the spaces needed for the three days of the Summer Friendship Gathering.

This video is intended for the volunteers on the Friendship and Gathering Leadership and Facility planning and setup teams.

Food Service

Summer Friendship Gathering – Food Service 

In this episode Jackie Schaefer discusses the dynamics of the Summer Friendship Gathering fellowship meal, facility requirements, and funding possibilities, also emphasizing the importance of the schedule, menu, and special dietary needs.

This video is intended for the Summer Friendship Gathering leadership and food service teams.