Leaders info page

WELCOME to an exciting Year 2001, and the SYAM committee is excited about the opportunity to have a repeat of a great 2000 Summer Jam. Comments from youth and leaders for 2000 was very positive. There are few distractions, so that leaders can easily plan your group meeting on campus or in nearby mountains or along the lakes and streams. The location is Lee University (Church of God) in Cleveland, Tennessee. Lee was chosen because of the excellent facilities, Christian hospitality, proximity to outdoor events and central location to many of our EPC churches. Lee has excellent dorms, Marriott food service, a large auditorium (Conn Center), gyms, ball fields, volleyball and tennis courts, and a beautiful campus.

We anticipate that this gathering of all our events to one location will again be used by God in a mighty way. He has moved us, and graciously opened the doors for us, at this location. We know it is a great distance for some of our churches, but in reviewing the past history of churches traveling to Summer Jams, we find that youth groups tend to travel long distances for this event. Not all - but many do. Come join us this summer. Plan now for God to move in a special way this summer in the lives of our youth.

The SYAM Committee

How To Get There: Lee University is located approximately 30 miles north of Chattanooga and 80 miles south of Knoxville, TN. The campus lies east of interstate 75 about 1 mile. See the local map in MS Word 97 format or on the registration page.

How To Register Your Youth Group: The EPC staff in Livonia has sent you a package of complete instructions, registration forms, and other information needed for your group. If you have not received the package or are short some forms, some of those items may be copied from this site on the registration page. The registration page will not register you. Forms must be sent to EPC office at Livonia as applicable, but you may copy forms as needed from the site page. Be sure to see Important Dates List

What's so great about Summer Jam: Worship, singing and music, witnessing, learning about God's plan for our lives, fellowship, great speakers that challenge us, bands that bring worship to music, outdoor activities.

What's so great about Cleveland, TN: Cleveland is home to Lee, a Christian College. The area is at the foothills of the Smoky Mountains with the Ocoee and Hiwassee Rivers nearby. The Ocoee River was home to the 1996 Olympic kayaking events, and the area has many outfitters that supply guided and unguided whitewater trips on the rivers. Also available in the area is horseback riding, rock climbing, mountain biking, camping, museums and other site seeing opportunities. Visit the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce. Other opportunities are available in Chattanooga - 30 miles to the south on I-75.

What to Do at Summer Jam: The usual schedule will apply for morning worship, music and study. Same for the evening events with music and speakers. Afternoons are open for some planned off-site events that have been set up with local outdoor outfitters. Note that Thursday is the only day that there will be sufficient water in the Ocoee River for rafting, and that is the planned event for that day. The Hiwassee is available any day for float trips. If you need some quite time to spend with your group, or individuals, look at optional activities for both the Ocoee area and the Chattanooga area. Some items listed have costs associated. Some are free, or low cost.

Important information concerning Lee University: We are guests on a Christian College campus. There is a non-tobacco use, non-alcohol and non-drug use policy on their campus. Attire requirements include shirts with sleeves, no midriff tops or clothing with messages of advertising inconsistent with a Christian environment. No weapons or fireworks allowed on campus. There is not a swimming pool. We have had to put up a substantial security and damage deposit in order to use the campus. Please impress upon your youth that we are guests at this facility. During registration, room assignments will include determination of occupant by church and by individual name. Any damages will be assessed to the deposit and to the individual responsible in the youth group. Discourage any horseplay or activity that might cause damage. We represent the Kingdom of God.

Monday - July 16	Registration begins at 2 PM at the Conn Center located on 11th Street, 2 blocks east of the intersection of 11th and Ocoee Street. See Local Map. Pick up final schedules for all events.
Tuesday - July 17	Breakfast available in the dinning hall. Music and worship following breakfast. Consult schedule provided on Monday. Lunch in the dinning hall. All groups remain on campus for scheduled tournaments, and interactive attractions. Dinner at the dinning hall and the evening program at Conn Center.
Wednesday - July 18	Breakfast available in the dinning hall. Music and worship following breakfast. Consult schedule provided on Monday. Lunch in the dinning hall. This is a free afternoon with opportunities to visit the mountains, other Optional OffSite events. Dinner at the dinning hall and the evening program at Conn Center.
Thursday - July 19	Breakfast available in the dinning hall. Music and worship following breakfast. Lunch in the dinning hall. See OPTIONAL off-site events page for other choices available. Afternoon activities include Ocoee River whitewater rafting for those that have signed up. This is the only day this event is available. We must be at the outfitters on a pre-determined schedule. See PLANNED off-site events page for info Ocoee River Rafting schedule. See OPTIONAL off-site events page for other choices available. Dinner at the dinning hall and the evening program at Conn Center.
Friday - July 20	Breakfast available in the dinning hall. Music and worship for our closing praise and worship program at Conn Center. Some groups may consider spending an extra day camping, hiking or other in the area. Groups returning to the northeast might consider a stop through Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge, TN and the Great Smoky Mountains. Also the Blue Ridge Parkway. Contact the Webmaster on additional information for the area.