Snow Camp 2007 Recap

By Paige Bonitto

Webster’s dictionary defines elevate as “to raise someone to a higher position or level” and that was the theme for Snow Camp 2007. It was not just a theme, but a strong desire. We wanted every teenager to walk away from camp elevated to a new level in their walk with Christ. Our goal was to equip them so they could also elevate their friends and family. From the beginning of the weekend to the very end, we knew this year’s Snow Camp would change our lives forever. From the amazing time spent in His presence, to the practical teaching lead by this year’s special guest speaker, Dawud Duren, to the awesome drama, I do not see how anyone could have left unchanged. Trust me, we know how to have fun, too. The weekend was packed with games like snow football (my team won!), extreme makeover with shaving cream, toilet paper and other fun ingredients - the messier the better. We also had an intense game of Deal or No Deal with a guest appearance from “Howie Mandel.”

For me, the greatest memory of camp was the Saturday morning girls’ session. Khristine Duren gave the ladies the choice of being an egg, a carrot, or a tea bag. When each element is put into boiling water they respond differently. The egg becomes very hard, the carrot soft, but the tea bag actually affects its’ surrounding. When life gets hot and boils around you, do not allow it to make you hard or soft. Rather see what you can do to effect and change the environment around you. She strongly encouraged us all to be a tea bag and gave each of us one as a friendly reminder.

After her message we prayed for all the girls and things they are dealing with in life that keeps them from God and have caused them to become soft or hard. As a leader, the service was very eye-opening for me. I realized that our girls have been broken in so many ways. We have young girls trying to deal with the affects of rejection, depression, rape, pre-marital sex, drugs, eating disorders, sexual abuse and so much more. All they are really yearning for are hugs and someone to tell them they are genuinely loved and appreciated. At that moment I realized it was all worth it. All the planning, meetings, practices and preparation for camp were worth those few moments of hugs and tears. That moment explained to me why I do what I do. That’s what this life is all about—being able to touch and change the condition of a hurting heart. I just can not wait to see what more God will do in the upcoming camp years. You do not want to miss out!