Good News!

In this article, Kenlee highlights a few local summer events in the Grants Pass community.

Good News: June

By: Kenlee Rapport

School out-- summer in

This year has been eventful for so many students in each grade level. People are beginning to get their first jobs, learning how to drive, or preparing to enter the real world. The jump from being bogged down with constant assignments to gaining freedom will take some time to get used to. Most importantly, summer is the time when students begin to transition into adulthood, year by year. Therefore, these precious years of summer cannot be wasted on doomscrolling or sitting around on the couch all day. This is the time to rest, pick up new hobbies, and explore the world. An anonymous student at Grants Pass High School states, “Summer is making the most of life. It gives the ability to do things we would not be able to do during the school year." Thankfully, Grants Pass High School has a three-month break, benefiting both students and teachers. In contrast, North Korea requires every child, starting at age 5, to attend school for eleven years without a break. So let's pray and think about all of the kids in the world who do not get their well-deserved break.

Otherwise, there are multiple events and activities that people enjoy in southern Oregon during the sunny months. The Rogue River is home to Hellgate boat rides, rafting, fishing, and canoeing. We have beautiful scenic trails and drives that capture the lush green mountains. Teenagers can also just hang around with friends, playing pickleball and picking a place to vacay. Hopefully, this will inspire some people to get outside, try new things, and make new connections. Happy three months of life!

Lavender trail festival weekend

Picture By: Travel Medford

June and July are peak season for lavender, the fragrant flower that blooms in patches of captivating fields. Six local, unique lavender farms are involved, making each experience different and memorable. Along this purple adventure, hand-picked destinations offer multiple exciting activities to participate in-- collecting lavender into bundles, browsing local farm products, participating in workshops, and essential oil distillation. This festival is self-guided and exploratory, meaning the traveler has the freedom to spontaneously go off the beaten path. Whether that is jumping into a refreshing lake or driving with the windows down through rolling mountains, there is much to see.

For all age groups, live music, artisans, and boutiques are sponsored at several farms. It is essential not to forget (for all the foodies) that there will be a variety of food trucks and beverages. The Southern Oregon Lavender Trail states some wholesome background information: “When the owners met in 2013, they recognized a shared opportunity: by collaborating, they could create a more immersive, meaningful, and elevated lavender experience.” This festival is more than just admiring Southern Oregon's natural beauty; it represents a story of worthwhile connection, commitment, and creation of unity.

bible camps

On break, teenagers crave connection, engagement, and fun activities to make the summer meaningful. Through these camps, youth gain gospel knowledge and grow closer to God/other believers in the time spent. It is a great way to break routine and make new memories along the way. Discipleship and community are fundamental to each believer's journey with their faith. Multiple churches host Bible camps, which are commonly in an outdoor setting, for example, in the woods near a lake with cabins.

The churches of Grants Pass have established their own unique Bible camps, allowing different communities to be formed. A few of the most popular Bible camps are: Mountain Lakes Bible Camp, The June Meeting, and Camp Latawaga. All-inclusive high school camps offer a unique experience for each teenager. Mountain Lakes Bible Camp takes place in Klamath Falls, offering an ultimate fun and God-packed experience. They do insane games/competitions, campfire hangs, powerful worship and messages, tasty food, and time to get to know God more.

The June Meeting is hosted right at our local Josephine County Fairgrounds, inviting kids up to high school age for five days to do a deep dive into God's word and play fun games. Camp Latawaga is found in Rogue River's Siskiyou National Forest, building a God-based community for all ages. They teach how to embody God's love and about the purpose/beauty found in God's creations. Skilled mentors help to build role models with youth, and they plan fun activities for everyone to engage in. In Bible Camps, youth experience the power of being around other believers and God's presence. It helps to remind us in the midst of summer fun that we can do all of these activities while glorifying Jesus in our day-to-day lives.

Picture By: River Valley Church Oregon

Porchfest

Picture By: Visit Grants Pass

Harmonies and notes will float out from neighborhoods around Grants Pass on June 20. People gather around, listening to local musicians play melodic pieces. Flowers bloom abundantly while the sun shines on Grants Pass. Porchfest is an annual music festival held on front porches in the NW neighborhoods, gathering the community together in a unique approach.

Not only does Grants Pass participate in this non-profit event, but so do other places around the world. In unison, the gifted players from towns and cities play together at the same time, but miles away from each other. There will also be food and fun games, inviting families to gather on a summer day. Musicians get their time to shine, but for an even greater reason. Through Porchfest, the community raises donations for Vital Youth Programs. According to Porchfest’s website, the donations support local Josephine County Programs such as the Boys and Girls Club, Project Youth Plus, Crossing Bridges Therapeutic Riding Center, Redwood Play4 All Inclusive Playground, GP District 7 Early Learning Program, and other Rogue Gateway Youth Rotary Programs. This festival is packed with abundant opportunities for the youth of Josephine County and displays the hidden talents possessed by the people of Grants Pass.

concerts

Summer is the hotspot time for popular singers to appear in the state of Oregon. Concerts are loved for their exciting atmosphere, creative dress and, of course, seeing a favorite artist in person. Oregon has multiple beautiful and easily accessible venues that enhance the concert experience. This year, we have a variety of artists visiting from places all over the world. Some well-known singers and bands will be performing in main cities like Portland, Bend, Eugene, and Medford. Well-known names will be visiting Oregon, such as Forrest Frank, Bob Dylan, Lord Huron, Sublime, and AJR. There are multiple genres of music to choose from, catering to people of all kinds. People get the chance to gather and find fun in the talents of others.

We all know that feeling of bursting out singing to your favorite song. Concerts are a way to bring people together from different parts of Oregon. It brings people together who all have a common interest, boosting the community of listeners. Buffalo University conducted a concert experiment where they observed the effects of attendees. Surprisingly, they found that collective effervescence (CE) increases with the feeling of being connected to others. The desire of humans to seek connection with others is displayed through the gathering of concerts. Concerts mean much more than just listening to music it creates a bond between people and enable them to connect with one another.

Picture By: Bend Magazine

Writing this column has been fulfilling and enjoyable. I feel so grateful to be able to make a positive impact on Grants Pass High School students. Please read this column next year, and let me know if anything good is going on in your life. Have a summer blast!

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