Church NEWS

The Mountain View Seventh - day Adventist Church Mountaineers MGO Club.

By Chris Olhmann, Deputy Director

AWE INSPIRED AT WONDER PASS AND MARVEL LAKE

The Mountaineers Master Guide Outdoor Club of Calgary, hiked over 70 km taking in the scenery of Mt. Assiniboine.

As an initiative of the North American Division (NAD), the Master Guide Outdoors (MGO) ministry aims to "Connect all people with God by exploring His creation." Nearing the close of its first year of active ministry in working toward this vision, the Mountaineers MGO Club, from Mountain View SDA Church in Calgary, has enjoyed a year filled with amazing natural experiences. They also built incredible relationships with each other and God.

Weekly meetings encouraged spiritual, social, and leadership skills development as the group shared personal insights and worked together through various Master Guide requirements. Club outings that encouraged practical camping and survival skills include various day hikes, a November 2019 winter camp at Waiparous Creek, and a February 2020 winter family camp in Waterton National Park.

As COVID-19 restricted normal activities, the Mountaineers MGO Club didn't miss a beat and continued to meet each week virtually, using Google Meet video conferencing. This summer, the club was excited to welcome six new members, most of whom had recently invested as Guides in the Mountaineers Pathfinder Club. As restrictions on outdoor activities were eased, a bonfire and backpacking training event was planned for June 13 to welcome the new members and provide training for an expedition into the Siffleur Wilderness area, which took place July 10–12.

When the NAD-sponsored MGO Rocky Mountain Expedition event in Colorado was postponed due to travel restrictions, the Mountaineers MGO Club planned their local challenge for the same dates, August 6–9. Members of the club hiked more than 70 kilometers over four days to experience the incredible scenery of Mt. Assiniboine and the surrounding wilderness. The aptly named Wonder Pass and Marvel Lake inspired awe and a new appreciation for God's incredible creation.

For more information, please visit the Master Guide Outdoors section ofthe Mountain View SDA Church website (mountainviewadventist.ca/master-guide-outdoors-club) or the MasterGuide Outdoors section of the NAD club ministries website(clubministries.org/masterguides/master-guide-outdoors-mgo/).