Summer events reflect Dordt's commitment to community, service, and hospitality

The end of the academic year marks the beginning of a different kind of busy season at Dordt University. While current students are away for the summer, the campus comes alive in other ways: with construction projects, Dordt Discovery Days, and a variety of external gatherings such as camps, family reunions, and conferences.

This year, Dordt will welcome two large external events to campus: the Reformed Youth Services (RYS) annual convention and Never the Same (NTS) Camp. With a shared commitment to discipling young people, these organizations seek to equip the next generation for faithful Christian living and provide opportunities for students to grow in faith and Christian community.

This summer’s RYS Youth Convention will bring together nearly 975 attendees and staff from churches across the United States and Canada for a week of worship, teaching, fellowship, and recreation. Hosted each year at a different Christian college campus, the convention will return to Dordt University for the third time, following previous gatherings in 2011 and 2018. The 2026 convention will feature keynote speakers, workshops on topics including idolatry, contentment, digital defense, and evangelism, as well as opportunities for students to connect with others.

"RYS is committed to promoting a vibrant, joyful, and challenging Reformed faith that is inspiring and contagious," says Paul Van Dyke, director of RYS. "Our goal is to encourage students in their relationship with Christ and help them understand how their faith shapes their lives in their churches, homes, and communities."

During their time on campus, attendees and staff of RYS and NTS will live in student housing, dine in the Atrium dining facility, and gather across campus for teaching, worship, recreation, and fellowship.

According to Sharla Gradert, director of events and auxiliary services at Dordt, welcoming external events to campus has become a meaningful part of the summer season—one that allows ministry to continue, extends Dordt’s mission of serving the broader Christian community, and fosters connections with organizations and communities beyond campus.

"We open our doors to others, which allows some very worthwhile ministries to continue their missions and kingdom calling," says Gradert. "God has blessed this institution richly, and if we can share our facilities and services with others, it is a blessing to both.”

While final preparations for the summer’s first large external event are underway, Gradert notes the spirit of collaboration required to extend Dordt’s hospitality to its guests. "It takes a team effort involving the events office, facilities, Dordt Dining, student services, computer services, and our tech support departments," she says. "We have two and a half months of solid events that require scheduling room recleans, preparing meals, and making sure buildings are programmed appropriately for both access and security."

The continued return of organizations like NTS and RYS reflects the hospitality demonstrated across campus and the meaningful relationships sustained through a shared desire to equip the next generation of Christians. Through these partnerships, Dordt continues to extend its mission beyond the academic year.

About Dordt University

As an institution of higher education committed to the Reformed Christian perspective, Dordt University equips students, faculty, alumni, and the broader community to work toward Christ-centered renewal in all aspects of contemporary life. Located in Sioux Center, Iowa, Dordt is a comprehensive university named to the best college lists by U.S. News and World Report, the Wall Street Journal, Times Higher Education, Forbes.com, Washington Monthly, and Princeton Review.