Stories from Snow Camp 2019
The 2019 squad!
At the start of the year, we invited and encouraged the church to be prayerfully supporting each of the 28 students and leaders that were heading up to snow camp at Camp Berea. We asked you to pray for the hearts of students to be focused and captured by the gospel; we asked you to pray for the Holy Spirit to guide and give wisdom to each of the leaders; and we asked you to ultimately pray that God would show up and do what only He can do—and wow, did He ever! So THANK YOU for your faithfulness in praying and supporting us this year!
- The YouthCenter Team
(Janelle Wolters, Rachel Orie, Dan Barbre, Steve Zacchigna, Kristian Kasiguran, and Matt Nilan )
Some of our YC guys fiercely grace Berea’s own Instagram page!
“2019 was my 4th snow camp as a YouthCenter leader, and I can honestly say that I have never felt the weight of prayer and the closeness of God’s presence so heavily and closely at snow camp, than as I did this year. This year’s trip was free from any hiccups, drama, external distractions, and was marked by a beautiful sense of unity and shared sense of expectant anticipate of what God had in store for us. In the late night cabin conversations that included everything from talking about relationship and girls to walking through the Nicene creed, in the worship and breakout sessions, and in every impromptu snowball fight, and singalong, God was at work. We serve a mighty God. Thank you for believing on Him and trusting Him and His good plan for these students, right along side us. He’s got so much more in store!”
- Matt Nilan
This years Snow Camp Leaders were:
Dan Barbre, Janelle Wolters, Rachel Orie, and Kristian Kasiguran
We took a total of 23 students
To Camp Berea in Hebron, NH: 140 miles away
For 48 hours of snowtubing, prayers, small group study, late night convos, milkshakes, fries, paintball, worship, basketball, laughter, smiles and JESUS.
Snow Camp 2020 here we come!
Twins! Millie and Kristian matching during breakfast
Taken smack dab in the middle of frozen Newfound Lake!
“I've been going to Snow Camp for 4 or 5 years at this point. Hanging out with all the guys from YC for a weekend is both transformative and enlightening. Getting to see what people are going through, and being able to come alongside them in that is marvelous. Even better are the times when people are there for you, eager to help you in any way they can. Snow Camp is also great because of the speakers and the sessions. Every year, there is a new theme for Deep Freeze and a new speaker with a new message. Snow Camp is a great way to take a step back, loosen up, have some fun, and learn more and more about the God who loves us, and created us, and who wants to be in a relationship with us.”
- Justin Bushfield
“Snow camp has been an incredible experience over the four years that I have been and every time I have gone my faith has grown stronger. It is one of my favorite weekends of the entire year because it is so full of people that love the Lord and pour that love into you. It also provides the opportunity to make new friendships as well as strengthen the existing friendships.”
- Emily Ward
Some of the girls hanging outside their cabin!
Bekah, Millie and Dan on their way to session!
“The months leading up to Berea, I just feel such happiness knowing i’m going to be surrounded by people who have the same beliefs as me and want to connect with God. I’m so exited and happy when i see the glow on kids’ faces when it’s their first time there. I remember every moment and I always have such an intense connection to God and the people around me. It’s so powerful in so many ways, it really changes your view on God and you can reconnect with him even if you’ve been distant recently. So much is spoken about God incorrectly, and so many things are taught to young kids about God, but you have to understand the real and true God and what he has planned for you, and you just meet with him in a completely different way [at snow camp]. There’s a weight in my chest that doesn’t come with any other experience and I’m just so happy there. There’s so much good energy and it puts things into perspective.”
- Ali Gullet