Eighty-two students participated in 57 Discover Inspire Grow Groups (DIGGs) at New Directions this past summer, capping the fourth year of the unique summer programming at the Greenfield-based youth ministry. The DIGGs included creative offerings such as Mystery Mondays, What’s Cooking, Soul Food, Tweens on Tuesdays, Wednesdays in the Woods and Created to Create, as well as regular favorites of swimming, disc golf, service projects and relationship-building hang-out times.

The smorgasbord of opportunities and topics couldn’t happen without this summer’s adult leaders — 63 volunteers and ministry intern Braden Wright, who was instrumental in helping lead programming and building significant relationships with youth.

“A special part of the summer was having a college student, Braden Wright, filling the role as our intern,” said New Directions Director Tonia McLanahan. “He is a natural leader and he has a superb rapport with students of all ages.”

“New Directions was able to have an intern because of the generous 2024 Highland County Community Fund Grant through the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio”, said McLanahan.

Wright’s work greatly enhanced the eight weeks of DIGGs for students in grades 4-12.

For McClain High School sophomore Braylon Murray, fishing as part of the Tuesday evening DIGG, God and a Fishing Rod was his favorite because he was “able to fish with my friends.” Murray recalled an influential lesson for him learned one night at the DIGG when adult leader Brad Barber shared a devotional message that included the message that “sometimes you don’t have to be on the fancy fishing boat (to be successful). God even told his disciples to come to the shoreline to fish,” recalled Murray. “The point (to me) was that you don’t have to go above and beyond to have a big influence.” The lesson for Murray? Each of us can make a difference in the lives of others by simply being faithful to what God asks us to do.

Freshman Bryce Barber also enjoyed the fishing outings, his favorite memory being when a seventh grader, Eil Clevenger, “caught a really big bass.” Bryce also especially enjoyed participating in Mystery Monday, his favorite being a surprise visit to A & R Alpaca Farm in Williamsport.

Delaney Bland’s favorite activity was Mystery Monday, learning through visiting places like Greenfield’s government offices and the water treatment plant. “I got to learn about a lot of stuff I didn’t know about,” said Bland. “I think they (DIGGs) are fun and you learn a lot.”

“I’m always amazed at the variety of options the kids have to choose from because of the many adults in our community and surrounding areas who give of their time to share their passions with students,” said McLanahan. “I’m so grateful to be a part of this generous community and the blessing of discovering, being inspired and growing alongside amazing students and awesome adults. It was a tremendous gift to receive the grant from The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio, their partnership provided opportunities that wouldn’t have been available without their generosity.”

The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio (FAO) is a regional community foundation serving the 32 counties of Appalachian Ohio. A 501(c)(3) public charity, the Foundation creates opportunities for Appalachian Ohio’s citizens and communities by inspiring and supporting philanthropy. For more information about FAO, visit www.appalachianohio.org.