O U R P R A Y E R In a time when many are suffering, merciful God, help us to fulfill the call to serve and love one another as You have done for us. At Summit Adventure, we desire to provide opportunities for people to experience Your healing power in their own lives and their relationships through outdoor adventure and service. May this ministry continue to be molded by You to be effective inYour Kingdom. Please guide us in that pursuit- in Christ's name, Amen.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE “Our Journey Continues” “Learning from a Summer Snowstorm” Immersion Service and Adventure Semester Update Contract Courses: A Closer Look Whitney Classic Recap
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Our Journey Continues by Tom Smith Ending one year and starting
another makes for opportune reflection and future planning. At Summit Adventure, these are both challenging and rewarding tasks. Challenges abound as we seek God's guidance in adventurebased programs that meet real needs in a complex culture. Rewards follow as we see progress and watch people's lives being transformed. We often use the “journey” metaphor on courses to help participants reflect upon their lives, and this approach also works well for Summit Adventure organizationally. This article highlights some important characteristics in Summit's journey.
SUMMIT ADVENTURE IS EXPANDING International Programs The shift from summer to year round programs began in 2005
with our first ever Ecuador courses. We ran two that year and are scheduled for five in 2008. Pepperdine University's Project Serve Ecuador course scheduled in March 2008 had 55 applicants in just its second year. Johns Hopkins University will be doing its third course in January 2008. Also this spring is a Men's Life Renewal Course and an 11-day contract course with Grace Church of Visalia. All together, we have scheduled three months of international programs that fill up the winter schedule from January into March. People are drawn to these international courses because of the combination of service and adventure in a country much different from our own. Both Christians and non-Christians are finding these courses powerful far beyond the big mountains they attempt to climb. It is the interactions and discoveries people make about God, themselves, and others that are Summit's ultimate concern. Within the context of giving and serving, Summit Adventure participants find that despite vast differ-
ences in wealth, power, and privilege, Ecuadorian people have much to offer and teach. The journey that often starts with condescending paternalism shifts to true compassion for others in whom the Creator finds equal favor. We intend to open two more international sites in 2009, so stay tuned and in prayer as these programs are developed. We feel God's hand at work in encouraging international service and adventure courses, and that is very exciting. ISAS - International Service and Adventure Semester ISAS is our second major program expansion project. In 2007, we received academic approval from both Simpson University and Montreat College! These were huge hurdles, and in the process Montreat also agreed to act as a “host school”. This means college students from any school can participate in ISAS and transfer 17 credits from Montreat back to their home schools. We began recruiting last fall and are praying diligently for the first ISAS class to begin in the fall of 2008!
Thank You We wish to thank all the diligence and hard work of Summit Adventure's Board of Directors:
Roped up on Mt. Shasta 2
Casey Cobell Rick Wallace Tim Fickling Ginger Allen Dave Neunuebel Maril Parker Mark Lavan
Johns Hopkins University Students in a Cotopaxi climbers’ hut at 16,000 ft. in Ecuador
Once again, participating schools and students are drawn to the combination of service and adventure, so that unfamiliar and challenging circumstances lead to greater dependence on God and others, along with a distinctly personal time to grow in faith and character. For more information on ISAS, turn to page 11 of this Mountain Ear.
SUMMIT ADVENTURE IS EMPHASIZING SERVICE Service to fellow humans has a long history with adventure-based programs like Summit's. We have increased our emphasis on serving others during courses, because it so effectively supports our mission and ministry goals. It is also a biblical mandate:
participants discover more about God and themselves through service to others.
SUMMIT ADVENTURE REMAINS DEDICATED TO ADVENTURE In today's culture, people and organizations are constantly looking to the newest fad or technological gadget for help and improvement. There are some things, however, that have worked through the ages. Thousands of years ago, God challenged the Israelites to draw near during 40 years of wilderness wandering. God was fostering a dependence only on Him by using uncertain outcomes, risk-taking, and travel in the natural environment as teaching tools. Summit Adventure
follows that same divinely inspired “adventure-education model” with each course that leaves Basecamp for the Ansel Adams backcountry, a corporate boardroom, or the streets of Quito, Ecuador. As our program venues and focus areas change and multiply, Summit Adventure remains firmly committed to adventure education that follows God's heart. In our frenetic, star-crossed culture, people are being pulled away from things that matter toward things that don't. If American Christians are to make a difference in this world, we need to be a people that challenge ourselves out of our comfort zones and into places where reliance on God rules the day. The rest of this annual newsletter will show you some powerful moments that participants experienced on their journeys with Summit Adventure in 2007. It also shows exciting possibilities that await in 2008. We invite you to let Summit help with your journey by making 2008 the year of a Summit Adventure course for you and your family.
Service involves us with the poor (Mt. 25:31-33) Service pulls us outside our own interests (Lk. 6:31) Service humbles us (Mt. 20:25-28) In 2007, nearly one third of all Summit Adventure courses were actively involved in service to others. Our goal is to have meaningful service opportunities on every course. We still have a long way to go on this part of our journey but are committed to making Summit Adventure a place where
Summit instructors on Mt. Shasta’s summit 3
Sunrise
2007 PHOTO GALLERY Wilderness Instructor Course
Dads Cook!
Dads Cook!
Mountaineering in Ecuador
Backpacking
Fatherhood at the Notch
The Nyes visit with a child at a Quito children's home 4
Ecuador Service
Rappelling the Prow
Evening Discussion
A Family Climbing Madera
Service in Oakhurst
Swimming at an Alpine Lake
Ecuador Service
14-Day Sierra Expedition 5
Contract Courses: A Closer Look
2007 Percentage of Student Days 72%
by Tom Smith
Summit Adventure offers two types of “courses.� The first is called open enrollment and consists of certain programmatic elements open to anyone who wants to attend. These are the courses you will find on a calendar on page 9 of this MountainEar. Currently, 28% of our total student days are from open enrollment courses.
28%
Contract Courses
Open Enrollment Courses
years like the four-day Adventures in Fatherhood course we have done with Focus on the Family for the past 26 years.
The most frequent and preferred way to do a Summit Adventure course is by contract. These are typically programs where the group knows each other and has some significant common goals. The Menlo Park Presbyterian Women's Group contracted us for a three-day retreat in Yosemite, while Rick Wallace's Men's Life Renewal Group heads to Ecuador for an 11-day international Service and Mountaineering course. Some contracts are almost exclusively teambuilding in character, such as the ones we do with student life groups from Pepperdine University and Alderson-Broaddus College. Others are focused on outreach and service, such as the Ecuador courses we do with Johns Hopkins University and Grace Church of Visalia. Some contracts stretch back many
Listed below are some compelling reasons to consider doing a contract course: They are custom designed around the needs, interests, and schedule of your group. You get a discount. You pick the dates, times, and places of the course. They are facilitated by professional instructors specifically selected for your group. They encourage you and the group to discuss and reflect upon deeper issues that may not arise in any other way. They include the important people in your lifefriends, colleagues, teammates, or family members. They are unforgettable, God-centered times of growth and discovery. Most contract courses begin with a phone call to Summit Adventure to discuss a certain group and its goals. Many people are surprised at how capable we are in adapting a course to meet their particular needs. The examples above illustrate that very diverse programs are routinely created and implemented by Summit Adventure. The success of these courses is shown by the amount of ongoing and repeat work we do with various organizations. If this article has you thinking about a specific group that could benefit from a Summit Adventure contract course, give us a call or drop us an email.
Father and daughter making life-long memories 8
THANK
, YOU and God go
with you, Kelli!
2008
COURSE CALENDAR Course
#
Dates
Days Ages Price
802 803 804 805 806 807
06/22 - 07/05 06/22 - 07/12 06/30 - 07/04 07/21 - 07/30 07/21 - 07/25 Pick your dates
14 21 5 10 5 3
13-16 16-18 13-16 13-18 13-16 16+
$1,200 $1,575 $375 $750 $375 $300
810 811 812 813 814 815 816 817 818
06/18 - 06/22 06/28 - 07/02 07/02 - 07/06 07/25 - 07/27 07/26 - 07/30 07/30 - 08/03 08/06 - 08/10 08/08 - 08/10 08/06 - 08/10
5 5 5 3 5 5 5 3 5
12+ 12+ 12+ 12+ 12+ 12+ 12+ 12+ 12+
$1,596 (pair) $1,596 (pair) $1,596 (pair) $955 (pair) $1,596 (pair) $1,596 (pair) $1,596 (pair) $955 (pair) $1,764 (pair)
801 901
01/02 - 01/11 10 01/02 - 01/11 10
18+ $1,850 18+ $1,942
N/A
08/25 - 12/12
18+ $12,500
820 821 822 823
05/25 - 06/05 07/27 - 08/02 06/19 - 06/23 09/27 - 09/28
YOUTH Sierra Multi-Element Sierra Expedition
Yosemite Rock Climbing
PARENTING & FAMILY Sierra Adventures in Fatherhood
Kelli Ramsay has been a faithful and joyful part of Summit Adventure since 2001. She has made huge contributions as Instructor, Registrar, and Base Operations Director. We particularly remember Kelli's diligence with Summit's Basecamp improvements, her love of the Milpitas course, and many students' love of Kelli! Kelli poured her heart and gifts into her supervisory role to help create a cohesive Base staff that has been a solid foundation for the inner workings of Summit Adventure during the summer programs. We thank Kelli for her bighearted service and friendship. May God continue to direct and provide as she continues toward the goal of mission work in Asia. We love you!
West Virginia Adventures in Fatherhood
ADULTS Ecuador Service and Mountaineering (2008) Ecuador Service and Mountaineering (2009)
COLLEGE & UNIVERSITY Immersion Service and Adventure Semester
SPECIALTY Wilderness Instructor Adventure Leadership Go Fot It! Whitney Classic Fundraiser
12 7 5 2
19+ $1,986 19+ $1,160 16+ $470 Call for details
2008 GROUP COURSES - Let us design a unique course to fit the dynamics and schedule of your group. We offer great price packages and discounts for groups of 6 or more. We work with a wide variety of organizations including Focus on the Family, Pepperdine University, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and Menlo Park Presbyterian Church.
20% OFF course tuition if paid in full by March 15th. 10% OFF course tuition if paid in full by May 15th. Returning students receive 10% OFF.
WWW.SUMMITADVENTURE.COM - (559) 642-3899 9
2007
Just before the start of the 2007 ride
Whitney CLASSIC
The Lord continues to bless Summit Adventure through the Whitney Classic, and this year's ride was once again a great success. Thirty-eight riders safely participated in the 2007 Whitney Classic. Ten rode as individuals, and twenty-eight more were spread over eight teams. This year riders were treated to unusually mild temperatures at the start with a high of only 89°F. The ride out of Death Valley was spectacular as the riders had a nearly full moon to illuminate the scenery. With lots of effort and team work over 135 miles, eight individuals and six teams completed the ride by Sunday morning. The main function of the Whitney Classic is to help support the ministries of Summit Adventure. This year $103,147.45 has been raised to help the ministry of Summit Adventure. The Top Individual Fundraiser was Mike Rollinson with $18,623. The Top Team Fundraiser was Team Bulldog with $18,266. Thank you for supporting Summit Adventure through your contributions and participation in the Whitney Classic. First, we want to thank God for another safe event and the life given through his son Jesus Christ. Thank you to all of the riders, volunteers, and sponsors of the 2007 Whitney Classic. The Whitney Classic would not be possible without your investment of time, energy, and financial resources. Thanks to the Summit staff, volunteers, friends, and family who put in time before, during, and after the ride. Once again, we would like to extend a special thanks to Dick and Lucy Huddy for organizing the Good Sam and Radio Ham volunteers; year after year we are blessed by your presence! Thanks to the Good Sam and Radio Ham volunteers. Your time, energy, and efforts allow for a safe, fun, and successful event. Each year the God, Guts, and Gears Award is awarded to the person(s) who exhibits the most faith, fortitude, fellowship, and perseverance throughout the ride. As always, the decision for this year's award was difficult. This year's award goes to Ken Rey who persevered through a nasty crash early in the ride to a personal best finish time. Congratulations, Ken!! The 27th Annual Whitney Classic will take place on September 27th – 28th, 2008. Make plans to join us in Lone Pine for this amazing event and spread the word to others who might like to join us. “We found a flat section!”
Individual:
Team:
1st - John Pyjar 12 hrs 52 min
1st - Team Storm 8hrs 33 min
2nd - Randy O’Connell 12 hrs 52 min
2nd - Team Bulldog 10 hrs 20 min
3rd - Ken Rey 13 hrs 25 min
3rd - Team Honeymooners 12 hrs 20 min
Other individual finishers included Mike Rollinson, Steve Seccombe, Chip Combs, Tony DiLorenzo and Glen Villanueva. 10
Learning from a Summer
“Sure enough, it's snowing. What should we do now?� This was the question on 12 instructors' minds during this year's Milpitas Christian School course. It was the beginning of the fourth day of the five-day course. Seventy 8th graders, 6 Milpitas staff, and 12 instructors were faced with the reality that sometimes snow flies in September and that Beasore by Dustin Smucker-Oates Road, our ticket back home, never gets plowed.
SNOWSTORM
We believe that God works miracles, large and small, and we were going to need a few divine moves to get everyone out of there before the road slammed shut. And that's exactly what happened. After a few promising phone calls, some wise moves by the instructors, and the communal efforts of an entire 8th-grade class, every last person found themselves dry and warm that night at Summit Adventure's Basecamp in Bass Lake. This story from last summer's Sierra program illustrates two important themes in wilderness ministry and its relevance to our lives. First, life gives us unexpected challenges. Second, there is strength in the body of Christ – living in service to one another, particularly during life's unexpected challenges, is the clearest expression of Christianity. These are lessons that we hope are applied not just on courses. Our prayer is that Summit Adventure courses inspire students and instructors alike to demonstrate the compassion and grace of Christ well after they leave the mountains. Throughout 2007, dads, youth, and college students on Summit Adventure courses got their hands dirty not only in the wilderness, but in meeting the daily needs of human lives. From a children's home in Quito, to the backyard of a struggling family in Oakhurst, California, to a surprise Sierra snowstorm, our goal of reinvigorating compassion and a lifestyle of service was achieved by an awareness of opportunities and a watchful eye towards Christ's example.
ISAS UPDATE
by Tom Smith
Following the progress of our Immersion Service and Adventure Semester is exciting business. It is especially exciting to anyone contemplating college credit for life changing experiences. ISAS may well be for you. Since we began developing this program, there have been several crucial landmarks. Last year, we worked hard to develop the ISAS curriculum into a rigorous college semester offering students 1517 credits to study, serve, and adventure in California and Ecuador. This year, we gained academic approval from two institutions, Montreat College and Simpson University. As an added bonus, Montreat agreed to be our host school. That means students from other colleges and universities can participate in ISAS, get full academic credit through Montreat, and then transfer that credit back to their home schools. Financial aid is applied to ISAS in the same way as normal enrollment. We began recruiting students this past fall. We will run our first ISAS program in the fall of 2008. Much has been written about ISAS on our website and links. If you are a college student or know of one who might be interested in this exciting new program, contact us for more information on registration, financial aid options, and program specifics. 11
SUMMIT ADVENTURE
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2007
STAFF
Please join us in prayer for the staff and ministry of Summit Adventure. Please pray for: Recruiting students for ISAS – Fall 2008 Students and staff for Sierra summer courses Wisdom and grace for program and staff transitions Donations for Summit Basecamp renovations
P.O. Box 498
Our mission is to facilitate transformational learning that strengthens
relationships, deepens faith, and builds compassion through Christ
Bass Lake, CA 93604 Bass Lake, CA Permit # 11
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centered outdoor adventure, service, and experiential education.
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Praise for a cohesive, ministry-minded staff Thanks for obtaining ISAS accreditation from Simpson University and Montreat College Growth in consistent prayer and financial partners