About

Every year Celebrate Life at Olivet Nazarene University allows students to celebrate their gifts and talents while connecting with other students from across the Olivet field.

WHAT IS CELEBRATE LIFE?

Celebrate Life is a youth event designed for the purpose of encouraging the development and abilities of the youth of the region for ministry in the name of Jesus Christ. Also, Celebrate Life encourages the relationship between the Central Region Nazarene Youth International (NYI) and Olivet Nazarene University. During the regional event in May, students will stay in campus housing at Olivet Nazarene University, play on college courts and stages, participate in worship services with other teens from across the Midwest and enjoy a few days of campus life!

WHERE IS CELEBRATE LIFE?

Celebrate Life takes place in two places: at the District level and at the Regional level. District Celebrate Life events occur once per year in various venues throughout the Olivet Nazarene University educational region, which includes the states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Youth participate at the District level depending on your area of residence. It is at the District level event that a student may qualify to participate in the Regional Celebrate Life event.

The Regional Celebrate Life event is held once per year in May on the campus of Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Illinois.

WHO MAY PARTICIPATE?

There are age requirements for the District and Regional Level Celebrate Life events. All participants must be in the 6th-12th grade by the time of Regional Celebrate Life in May in order to participate in any form of competition on the district or regional level. Each participant should be an active member/participant in the Nazarene Church district he/she represents. Each district president is responsible for who may or may not participate in Celebrate Life.

WHY PARTICIPATE?

Celebrate Life gives you the opportunity to have the time of your life with friends, compete in an activity, sport, or talent you enjoy and excel in, experience a world-class college campus, make memories that will last a lifetime, and experience the goodness, love, worship, and peace of God in incredible, life-changing ways!

 

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many activities can I participate in? Students are not limited to a specific number of activities at Celebrate Life, but your district coordinator will help determine how many teams you can be on.
How much does it cost? The total cost is up to each district. Olivet charges an amount, but your district may add an additional amount to cover gas, t-shirt, or other costs. Please contact your district coordinator.
What is the schedule for the event? Registration begins Thursday morning and the closing session finishes around noon on Saturday. A more detailed schedule with tournament brackets, fine arts performance times, service times, etc., will be available on an app the week of the event.
What should I pack? We recommend the following:
  • Two outfits per day
  • Pajamas
  • Pillow and bedding for a twin-sized bed
  • Shower towel, washcloth, hand towel, shower shoes
  • Toiletries (shampoo, soap, deodorant, toothbrush/paste, sunscreen, medication, etc.)
  • Swimsuit/towel
  • Sturdy walking shoes and socks (students must have these if they want to do the rock wall)
  • Phone Charger
  • Refillable water bottle
  • Drawstring bag
  • Any items needed for competition (shin guards, knee pads, art work, instrument, sheet music, etc.)
  • Optional items: poncho/umbrella, garbage bag for dirty clothes, snacks
Where do we drop off artwork, creative writing or video editing entries? Artwork drop-off is in Perry Center Room 222; Creative Writing and Video Editing drop-off is in Larsen Fine Arts Center lounge.
Do we get a t-shirt for participating? Yes, each district provides a district shirt for participants to wear on Saturday.
I’m only participating in one event; will there be other things for me to do all weekend? Yes! In addition to watching other participants compete in activities, Olivet’s swimming pool with lazy river, rock climbing wall and game room will be open all weekend. Olivet also offers extra activity sessions for students such as a creative writing workshop, tours of the radio station on campus, sessions with professors from various departments on campus and more! Check out the list below for more information about these extra activities.