Welcome
Imagine yourself standing on the beach watching the sunrise: you have a Bible in one hand and a spikeball in the other. The next 15 days are dedicated to growing in your relationship with the Lord and His Word, building a deep community with like-minded peers, engaging in service projects, and learning lifelong skills for evangelism. We’re inviting you to join us for the 2024 Beach Summer Training Program!
What is a Summer Training Program?
Each summer The Navigators® Collegiate Ministries provide multiple intensive summer growth initiatives called a Summer Training Programs (STPs) in different regions of the country. The Blue Ridge is hosting our Beach STP in the summer of 2024. Students live, play, study, and learn with other college students for two weeks in Panama City Beach, FL. Each student participates in Bible studies, evangelistic outreaches, discipleship groups, ministry training, fellowship, service projects, and other activities during the week. These opportunities for fellowship, mentoring, guided experiences, and time in the Word create an ideal environment for students to grow in their relationship with Christ as well as develop ministry skills and leadership qualities. STPs are operated and overseen by experienced full-time Navigator Staff.
Details:
Program Dates: Team Leaders: May 13-27, 2024, Team Members: May 14-27, 2024.
Location: Cottages Christian Retreat (22026 Front Beach Road, Panama City Beach, Florida 32413)
Cost: $1,200 ($1,356 if fundraising; see FAQ) -- includes lodging, most meals, and all program material
Program Director: Albert Tzeng (albert.tzeng@navigators.org)
Assistant Director: Jared Parnell (jared.parnell@navigators.org)
Imagine yourself standing on the beach watching the sunrise: you have a Bible in one hand and a spikeball in the other. The next 15 days are dedicated to growing in your relationship with the Lord and His Word, building a deep community with like-minded peers, engaging in service projects, and learning lifelong skills for evangelism. We’re inviting you to join us for the 2024 Beach Summer Training Program!
What is a Summer Training Program?
Each summer The Navigators® Collegiate Ministries provide multiple intensive summer growth initiatives called a Summer Training Programs (STPs) in different regions of the country. The Blue Ridge is hosting our Beach STP in the summer of 2024. Students live, play, study, and learn with other college students for two weeks in Panama City Beach, FL. Each student participates in Bible studies, evangelistic outreaches, discipleship groups, ministry training, fellowship, service projects, and other activities during the week. These opportunities for fellowship, mentoring, guided experiences, and time in the Word create an ideal environment for students to grow in their relationship with Christ as well as develop ministry skills and leadership qualities. STPs are operated and overseen by experienced full-time Navigator Staff.
Details:
Program Dates: Team Leaders: May 13-27, 2024, Team Members: May 14-27, 2024.
Location: Cottages Christian Retreat (22026 Front Beach Road, Panama City Beach, Florida 32413)
Cost: $1,200 ($1,356 if fundraising; see FAQ) -- includes lodging, most meals, and all program material
Program Director: Albert Tzeng (albert.tzeng@navigators.org)
Assistant Director: Jared Parnell (jared.parnell@navigators.org)
Application:
If you are applying after the following deadlines, please talk with your campus staff or email the program director about applying. Thank you!
Team Leader Application
Staff Reference Form
If you are applying after the following deadlines, please talk with your campus staff or email the program director about applying. Thank you!
- Team Leader Application Deadline: February 18th, 2024
- Team Member Application Deadline: March 17th, 2024
Team Leader Application
Staff Reference Form
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are The Navigators®?
The Navigators® is an international, interdenominational Christian ministry established in 1933. Navigators are people who love Jesus Christ and desire to help others know and grow in Him as they “navigate” through life. Our 75-year-old slogan, “To Know Christ and To Make Him Known®,” aptly describes what Navigators do. As we befriend those who don’t know Jesus or those just starting out in their relationship with Him, we show them how to grow, and how to help others grow, too.
Our mission is based on the Bible, God’s Word. Desiring to fulfill 2 Timothy 2:2, Navigators seek to forward the grace and teachings of Christ from one believer to the next—what we call “generational multiplication.” And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others (2 Timothy 2:2, NIV).
Today, the Navigator staff family—4,600 strong—includes 70 nationalities, 130 languages, and numerous heritages and life experiences. The Navigator family also includes those who work alongside and support our staff, whose hearts beat with the passion of our motto, “to Know Christ and to Make Him Known®.”
For further questions, visit The Navigators® website or reference our statement of faith.
What does a typical week look like?
All students are part of a four- or five-person team with whom they live and meet for Bible study each week. The weekly commitments involve:
Can I raise support?
Yes! After applying to the program and being accepted, each student will receive a "Welcome Packet" which includes the information needed to raise support to cover the costs for the summer. We will provide you with sample letters, donor cards, and everything necessary to help you raise support. We view support-raising as an opportunity to ask people to join with us in advancing God's kingdom. Please note there is an increased program cost if fundraising to cover processing fees. You are not required to raise support to attend the program, and can choose to pay for the cost with cash or a check instead if you would prefer to do so.
Where do I stay?
Students will live in in housing at Cottages Christian Retreat. You can checkout the camp here.
What is the setup for meals?
We will have a meeting space where we will prepare and eat most of our meals together, which are included in the cost of the program. Each housing residence also has a kitchen for snacks and other food items desired by each team.
What schools will be at the beach project?
The following schools, located in the Blue Ridge Region, are invited to send students to our Beach STP:
Who are The Navigators®?
The Navigators® is an international, interdenominational Christian ministry established in 1933. Navigators are people who love Jesus Christ and desire to help others know and grow in Him as they “navigate” through life. Our 75-year-old slogan, “To Know Christ and To Make Him Known®,” aptly describes what Navigators do. As we befriend those who don’t know Jesus or those just starting out in their relationship with Him, we show them how to grow, and how to help others grow, too.
Our mission is based on the Bible, God’s Word. Desiring to fulfill 2 Timothy 2:2, Navigators seek to forward the grace and teachings of Christ from one believer to the next—what we call “generational multiplication.” And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others (2 Timothy 2:2, NIV).
Today, the Navigator staff family—4,600 strong—includes 70 nationalities, 130 languages, and numerous heritages and life experiences. The Navigator family also includes those who work alongside and support our staff, whose hearts beat with the passion of our motto, “to Know Christ and to Make Him Known®.”
For further questions, visit The Navigators® website or reference our statement of faith.
What does a typical week look like?
All students are part of a four- or five-person team with whom they live and meet for Bible study each week. The weekly commitments involve:
- Navs AM - similar to a NavNight meeting on campus, but meets one morning each week
- Spiritual training workshops
- Bible study preparation
- Team Bible study meetings
- An XTAWG (extended time alone with God)
- Initiative evangelism as a team - students go out in pairs initiating conversations that involve spiritual surveys and a short illustration of the gospel
- Organized Navs fun
- Organized team fun
- Daily physical exercise
- Free time
- Service Projects
Can I raise support?
Yes! After applying to the program and being accepted, each student will receive a "Welcome Packet" which includes the information needed to raise support to cover the costs for the summer. We will provide you with sample letters, donor cards, and everything necessary to help you raise support. We view support-raising as an opportunity to ask people to join with us in advancing God's kingdom. Please note there is an increased program cost if fundraising to cover processing fees. You are not required to raise support to attend the program, and can choose to pay for the cost with cash or a check instead if you would prefer to do so.
Where do I stay?
Students will live in in housing at Cottages Christian Retreat. You can checkout the camp here.
What is the setup for meals?
We will have a meeting space where we will prepare and eat most of our meals together, which are included in the cost of the program. Each housing residence also has a kitchen for snacks and other food items desired by each team.
What schools will be at the beach project?
The following schools, located in the Blue Ridge Region, are invited to send students to our Beach STP:
- Auburn University, Alabama
- Belmont University, Tennessee
- Clemson University, South Carolina
- Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech), Georgia
- Kennesaw State University, Georgia
- Lipscomb University, Tennessee
- Middle Tennessee State University, Tennessee
- North Carolina State (NC State), North Carolina
- University of Alabama, Alabama
- University of Georgia, Georgia
- University of South Carolina, South Carolina
- University of Tennessee, Tennessee
- Vanderbilt University, Tennessee