Nick Popilchak died in February 1993.  I had been a Sunday School teacher in the Youth Department for several years (I can't remember how many).  Nick was also our Minister of Music.  I was in the choir and special groups, too.  Most of the stuff that I did in church was with Nick.  Nick died on a Sunday morning and the church was in a state of shock. That morning I directed the Sunday School in the Youth Department.  That day, I led the music.  That afternoon, I led the choir in a practice of the Easter contata.  Most people just walked around in a funk.  Just a few realized that we had to keep moving and doing what we had been doing.  As a result, many of the responsibilities that Nick had kind of "fell" into my lap.  Marty Deroche and Dave Jones led the youth that summer. Soon, they moved on to other churches and I got the responsibility of youth work.  So basically, I was in charge of the youth for nearly 8 years.  1993 to June 2001.
I think my favorite trip was to Wisconsin Dells.  I remember that trip as going extremely smooth.  Everyone seemed to have a good time.  The drive didn't seem too bad, and the weather was beautiful and cool.  I cooked a number of meals on that trip and they were all good.  It was our first horse riding experience for the youth and everyone enjoyed it.  The water park was great.  My daughter was saved on that trip, so it made that trip extra special to me.
I can't remember too many bad trips.  One bad one was to Nashville.  It was very hot, we had two vans, and the air conditioning worked in the OTHER van.  I guess that was my worst experience, so considering that, I guess I would have to say that most of my experiences were very good.  Occasionally we had to change a flat tire, but that wasn't too bad.  Nick always tried to go in church vans and busses.  They always broke down on him.  So I always made sure we took trips in RENTED vans that were AIR CONDITIONED.  This made our trips better.
My favorite thing to do with youth were six flags trips.  I didn't have to do much!
I think I really looked forward to Super Bowl halftimes very much.  I knew there would be many teens attending that didn't go to church and that would create a once in a lifetime opportunity to lead them to Christ.  When they came forward, I knew all the trouble was worth it.
I will miss TEACHING the most.  I enjoy hearing myself talk.
My favorite experiences were with Rusty (and Daniel Timko).  Rusty always put up a great front to all the teens and adults in the church.  But inside, I always knew that he was going to be something special.  So far, that has proven true because he is now a college graduate, the full time Minister of Youth at Pontoon Baptist AND he will be getting married in a few weeks.
The most helpful youth I ever encountered was Valerie Hankes.  She was BETTER than an adult in the department.
One final point:  All of the success I have had as a youth director is because of my wife Lisa.  Any shortfalls I had as a youth director were probably caused by not listening to her.......... Marv Stapleton