SnowSlam 08 – February 16 – 18, 2008
This past Presidents’ Day weekend, 45 snowboarders and skiers met at Bishop Stoney Camp and Conference Center to revive a long standing tradition in the Diocese of the Rio Grande. SnowSlam 08 was back and the youth and chaperones were ready for snow, fellowship and bible study. Ski Santa Fe was the mountain destination and “God, creation and history” was the theme for the teachings and studies.
Church vans and carpools from most parts of the Diocese started arriving at 2:00 pm, Saturday and soon Camp Stoney was full of the familiar sounds of Junior, Middle and Senior High students making new friends and old friends getting reacquainted. After stowing bags, skiing and snowboarding equipment, a round of introductions and weekend and Camp rules, the group was treated to the first of several marvelous meals, prepared by chef Jane and a blessed group of volunteers. The evening’s discussion starter was the movie “The Search for the Real Mt. Sinai”. This is a documentary about two adventurers who, following Old Testament clues, look at the possibility that Mt. Sinai is actually located in modern day Saudi Arabia. The discussion that followed was lively and informative.
Sunday morning came and allowed many of the youths to experience a strange and often unseen sight, sun rise over the beautiful Santa Fe Mountains. A quick breakfast and an hour’s ride later, the caravan arrived at the ski hill. After a few wrinkles were ironed out, the youths hit the slopes, either in skiing and snowboarding lessons or straight to the lifts for the experienced skiers and snowboarders. By lunch time, everyone was ready for a break but by time lunch was over, anxious to get back on the slopes. When the lifts closed at 4:00 pm, it was truly time to call it a day. While most of the youth had limited experience on the slopes, two young men claimed that they got in at least 30 runs, no wonder the rides back to Camp were a bit quieter than the rides up. The evening’s discussion, lead by Kat Robertson, focused on all of creation pointed to the presence of God and was followed by another lively and spirited discussion.
Monday morning found almost everyone moving a bit slower, but we all were greeted by a delicious breakfast of pancakes, sausage, fruit, juice and milk. After packing up their personal gear, the event concluded in a service of Holy Communion, celebrated by Fr. Daniel Cave, Youth Coordinator for the Diocese of the Rio Grande.
All in all, the event was a roaring success and we are looking forward to SnowSlam 09.
Please check out www.riograndeyouth.blogspot.com for more pictures from the weekend!
