For the third year, students from Adventist schools in the Rocky Mountain Conference gathered for RMC’s Outdoor School—a joint initiative between the youth and education departments— for an experience that blends nature, fellowship and faith.
Sixty-one students representing Mile High Academy, Brighton Adventist Academy, Lighthouse Seventh-day Christian School, Springs Adventist Academy, and Greeley’s Adventist Christian School came together last September at Glacier View Ranch in Ward, Colorado, for the much-anticipated event.
“I think it’s a great opportunity for the kids to get out in nature and learn some skills that they might not learn otherwise. Being able to bring them out here, connecting with other students from around the conference, and the spiritual atmosphere, is always great, too. It’s just an all-around good experience for them,” commented Will Reed, ACS principal and 5-8 grade teacher.
Typically, grade 8 students camp at GVR’s Pathfinder Village while 5th – 7th graders stay in the camp’s cabins. This year, however, everyone experienced tent camping. “Our hope is to return to the traditional setup next year,” shared Diane Harris, RMC education director and superintendent. “But this year’s all-camping format turned out to be a great experience.”
A highlight of this year’s Outdoor School was the involvement of three students from Union Adventist University’s International Rescue and Relief program. They led hands-on sessions, teaching wilderness first aid and assisting Jade Teal, RMC youth assistant director, with rappelling.
One UAU student, Sally Marie Trana, attended a similar program in her youth in Minnesota, and was overjoyed to be invited to volunteer: “I loved it when I was a camper.” She continued remarking on how excited the children have been to participate saying, “They’ve been so enthusiastic … yesterday was wilderness first aid, and they were like, ‘Oh my goodness, I’m so excited.’ So, they are having a lot of fun.”
Other activities included water filtration, orienteering, shelter building and more. Camilla, an 8th grade student from Lighthouse, enjoyed carving soap and the rope activities while 7th grade student Gideon enjoyed capture the flag.
Beyond outdoor skills, the heart of the event was the chance to bring schools together. Teachers and students alike expressed excitement about reconnecting from previous years and deepening relationships. Harris explained, “it’s a great opportunity to bring all our schools together, to bring our teachers together, and to focus on spirituality and Adventist education.”
The lack of cell phone coverage also added value. Without screens, students immersed themselves in conversation, games and community. “The kids are engaged with each other here in a way they don’t get back in the city,” Harris shared.
As the worships closed each evening, the students left not only with new outdoor skills but with a stronger sense of belonging—to each other, to their schools, and to God.
Heidi Carpenter, associate pastor of LifeSource Adventist Fellowship, assisted at RMC Outdoor School and commented, “I appreciate that the kids can come together from different schools and learn things in a different setting than the classroom. They get to learn how to deal with challenges and how to face them together.”
“And there’s always the worship times where we focus on how to handle our challenges with God,” Carpenter continued. “There’s a lot of focus on positive thinking, and that we can’t overcome difficulties on our own; it’s something that comes through our relationship with God.”
