As many of you know, Youth Forum is taking a pause. This has left me hunting for my next vocational adventure. I have a lot of exciting news on the job front:
I’ve been asked to join the team at Youth Leadership. I’ll be working with a giant in the youth ministry world, Tiger Mcluen. Tiger has been in ministry for over 40 years and has done great things at the helm of Youth Leadership.
My role at Youth Leadership will be the Director of Creative Programming. Part of my time will focus on helping with Recharge, a one-day youth leader training conference. Another part of it will focus on helping find ways for Youth Leadership to partner with the large network of youth ministers I’ve built. I will also be crafting several seminars and messages for teens, youth leaders, and parents. Finally, I’ll be helping Youth Leadership use the internet to create new ways to train and equip leaders. It’s grrrrrrreat that Tony and Tiger are going to partner!
One of the biggest joys I’m happy to announce is that Youth Leadership will be picking up the torch of the Summer Festival Camp program. We’ve developed a leaner and shorter model that is just as spiritually potent to allow camp to continue. It is our prayer that using the promotional platform of Youth Leadership will help camp attendance return to a place of self-sustainability. It’s an honor to bring Summer Festival Camp to fly under the banner of Youth Leadership. I am truly looking forward to the opportunity/chance to direct another summer of camp.
I’m now in charge of raising my own salary at Youth Leadership. If you are interested in supporting my role, and ultimately Summer Festival Camp, you can find more info here: tonyducklow.com/support
With the rest of my time, I’ll be working with Excited Hippo, For Better or For Best, Lock and Key Escape Rooms, and Skol Marketing.
I’m going to continue doing freelance events and fun equipment rentals through my co-owned creative company, Excited Hippo Creative. We are now renting a small storage space that I am convinced has more fun packed per square foot than any space in Minneapolis. It is a one-stop-shop for youth ministry events that need laser tag, blacklight dodgeball, 9 square in the air, game shows, or all sorts of supplies creative programing.
If you are getting married and want your wedding to be awesome, hit up For Better or For Best for sweet wedding packaged services. I’m still DJ’ing dances and providing photo booth rentals. I’m paired up with the very talented Kelly Matthews who does day-of coordination and Taylor Higgins who makes amazing custom invitations and a wide variety of wedding related graphic design materials.
Lock and Key Escape Rooms has been taking off like gangbusters and I’m going to continue serving on our small but mighty management team. The brothers Ducklow are back in business together and joined by our even more amazing wives. There is no better experience for team building than an escape room. Our first room takes place in the famous archeologist Professor Jones’ office. Our brand of escape rooms especially emphasizes superb storytelling and an adventuros experience for all kinds of groups.
Finally, I’ve started to do freelance web design with my friends at Skol Marketing. I’ve been building websites since I was 14, so it’s great to expand those skills into the professional realm. Skol has a team of pros who can help with web design, search engine optimization, and social media marketing. A big advantage to working at Skol: my friend Marty works there, and sometimes we get to eat lunch together. I know that can’t be listed as an official benefit, but it is for me.
God is so good! I’m excited for everything new. I’m thrilled to keep doing camp, but I’m also a bit overwhelmed by all of the change. A special shout out to my wife Lacey who has been very patient and supportive as we navigate a lot of big changes together. I can’t wait to see God at work in this next chapter of ministry and life.