We're back from Sailing!

We just returned on friday from an amazing time aboard the Pacific Grace. We where sailing through the Gulf islands on a beautiful tall ship built specifically for sail training. Our time on board was amazing despite lacklustre weather, the students had a blast with our time aboard, and even our trips ashore. There will be a full blog post coming this thursday highlighting the first class of the year!

- Levi 

First Retreat Experience - Learning through Service

It has been an amazing week here on the island with fantastic weather almost every day. This past weekend was the Students first opportunity to help run activities at Qwanoes for a retreat. Trinity Western University brought over its student leaders to Qwanoes to experience all that Camp has to offer, and it was a fantastic first opportunity for Qwanoes Students to get involved. 

Students forming a welcome tunnel showing Trinity what a Qwanoes welcome is all about!

There is always time for a quick photo! Smiles all around as the retreat is kicked off.

Putting all the training into practice this last weekend at TWU retreat.

 The students got to help run activities in the challenge course, waterfront, and many other aspects of camp. It was a unique experience for them being able to serve young adults and see first hand what Camp Activities are like to run. As we move into the fall the students will get to be involved lots of other Qwanoes retreats, which provides lots of opportunities to practically apply what they have been learning in the classroom.

Heather and Sarah belaying in the Challenge Course!

Riley showing us how to through a rope properly to the Qwanoes dock. 

To close off the weekend Students and staff got to enjoy the Qwanoes waterfront with activities like boating and the giant Blob. It was great to just hangout with each other and enjoy the company of some good friends. The community is really starting to shape and take a vibrant life as students are realizing the potential this year has in store.

The students are currently in the midst of Spiritual Formations, and at the moment are experiencing a solo time of reflection with 24 hours of silence and solitude. This class is an awesome way to begin the year--students spend a lot of time reflecting and learning about their own spiritual journey and what it means to deepen and grow in their faith. Discovering what discipleship is all about and how everything they are taking part in this year is all an outflow of a desire to follow Jesus. Stay tuned this weekend for more updates from this course, and what the students had to say about it. 

Until next time, 

Levi

Mount Albert Edward - The Year Kicks Off!

Hey Everyone! My name is Levi and I am a Qwanoes intern this year with a focus in the Kaléo Program. I have the incredible opportunity to fill you in with stories, photos, and updates week-by-week of what’s happening in the life of the Students!

It has been a packed week and a half, and the program is already off to an amazing start. Students are getting into the swing of things here at Camp with various orientations and training— lots of time getting acquainted with the ins-and-outs of their new home for the next 8 months. It’s so fantastic to have them all together and join the family here at Qwanoes. The staff has been prayerfully anticipating their arrival for some time now and couldn’t wait to meet them. The LinQ program was launched and students got to meet and pray with a staff member they were paired up with. This is an awesome opportunity for students to have intentional relationships with a staff member during their time here.

The ministry component of the program also got underway as pastors from our local partnered churches eagerly came to meet the students. The ministry component is a huge opportunity for the students this year, they will get countless opportunities to directly apply what they are learning in the classroom to where they are serving in their Church. They are in groups of 3-4 and will have many opportunities to grow as active participants in areas like worship teams, leading youth group, and children’s ministry.

One of the things they also accomplished is training to be a qualified belayer in the Qwanoes challenge course. It was so cool to watch the dynamic of the group start to form as they worked and trained together on how to belay one another. Helping each other learn and grow, and just enjoying each others company as they get to know who they are spending the next 8 months with.  

On Monday with much excitement and anticipation we set out as a group to tackle our first out trip together. This trip is a stunning backpacking trip through Strathcona Park to summit Mount Albert Edward, one of the largest peaks on Vancouver Island. Our trip was spread out across 3 days with over 34 kilometers of hiking in total. We began the first day hiking from the parking lot in four smaller groups to reach the lakes we would be camping at that night. The rain was coming down as we started hiking but moral was high as students were actively connecting with each other in these smaller groups. Two of the groups spent the night at Kwai lake, and the other two groups over at Circlet lake, planning to all meet together on Tuesday morning to summit the mountain.

Warming cold hands after a day of hiking in the rain

For the summiting portion of our trip we are able to leave our heavier back packs at camp and begin the ascent with only daypacks. We all appreciated the lighter load, and would need the extra energy to tackle together the task ahead of us. This is the most challenging portion of our trip and we had to all work together to keep on going. After gaining some serious elevation it became very obvious how glad we were to be relieved of our larger packs. Throughout the hike during breaks Andrew the Kaléo Program Leader was able to use tangible metaphors and stories to explain things about God’s truth what it means to be a Disciple. The understanding of Gods grace can deepen on a hiking trip as we realize God taking the weight of sin from our lives is similar to removing the heavy load we didn’t need to carry to the summit. This makes the adventures so much more than just a fun trip as a group, but rather countless opportunities to attach powerful memories to life lessons the students will take with themselves for years.

Some portions of the hike to the summit seemed to be almost straight up

Stunning views to be had the whole way up

Our second day had started with clear skies but as we approached the summit and took a break for lunch the fog had started to move in. We always want to be as safe as possible, carefully considering if it was good to make our last push to the top. This type of weather could cause reduced visibility and hinder our ability to follow the trail. Thankfully after watching the weather the clouds stayed at bay and created a sort of bowl and wall of clouds around the mountain as we proceeded to hike the final stretch. Everyone dug deep and encouraged each other for the grueling final stretch. Every single person of our party made it to the top and it was an exhilarating time of celebration and high-fives all around.

The fog starting to move in on our trek to the top. 

Big celebrations at the top! Everyone made it!

Taking time to remember these powerful mountain top experiences together

After a short rest at the top we proceeded to finish the careful hike down the steep terrain. It was thankfully only till after we made it safely to the first lake that the rain started to come down. 

The Kaléo 2014 Girls!

The Kaléo 2014 Men!

The Peak of Albert Edward pointing up through the clouds, this is the view from the parking lot. 

The last morning we packed up our wet tents and gear and began the hike back to our vans. After reaching the parking lot it was incredible to view the peak of Mount Albert Edward in what seemed an impossibly distance away. It was incredible to have summited it just the day before and gave a new level of excitement to what God could accomplish in the students lives this year. It gave such powerful imagery of the immense things that can be accomplished when you put one foot in front of another, stick together as a community, keep pushing on, and trust God above all else with the results. The results of this trip were spectacular to say the least and the students enjoyed a deserved rest on the 3-hour drive back to camp.

The students have already begun academic work on the hiking trip in prep for their first class. They have been memorizing bible verses as an assignment for Spiritual Formations that begins on Tuesday. Now back at Camp they continue to memorize and have begun reading one of their first books.

Students reading their first book by the fire in Pacific Woods Lodge

Thank you all for your prayer and support, it is incredibly appreciated and we want to ask that you would continue keeping us in your prayers. It has been an unreal start to the year and God has brought together and amazing group of students. We look forward to what God is going to continue to do in and through each one. Stay tuned next week for an update on Spiritual Formations and pictures from the retreat this weekend the students had an opportunity to serve at.

Until next time,
Levi

A word from last year's academic award winner

Hey everyone, this is the last of our series in hearing from last year's award winners. I hope that Janelle's words help get you excited to dig deeply into studies this year.

Hello Qwanoes students! Yep – that’s YOU. : D

You may not know this yet, but this year is going to change your life. Many of you are already anticipating the incredible growth that is going to take place. Keep it up! If you aren’t expecting much from the year ahead, start praying that God would bless you with great excitement and expectancy for all He is going to do in, through and around you.  Because it’s not a question of IF He’s going to grow you. The question is, HOW is He going to grow you?

One of the major ways God is going to transform your heart and mind is through academics. I encourage you to not under-estimate the significance of academic study. I’m sorry if I’m the one to break it to you - but course lectures, readings and assignments are going to take up a lot of your time and energy. However, I can tell you from personal experience that this is a good thing! If you take advantage of your studies you will reap priceless rewards in your spiritual life.  This year you have the amazing privilege of studying leadership principles, various areas of Christian ministry and most importantly God’s Word under the guidance of some of Briercrest’s best professors. Although understanding radical concepts and managing the heavy workload is going to be a challenge, my hope and prayer is that you embrace every moment. Soak it all in. Remember that God often accomplishes His best work through our most stretching experiences. Invite God to stretch your heart and mind through academics. You won’t regret it!

Maybe some of you are now thinking: Oh dear, what am I getting myself into?! Well, here are a few tidbits of advice I wish someone had told me before I did the Kaléo Program. I hope they help! : )

First, do not be afraid! God gives us everything we need to accomplish what He asks us to do each day. The transition will be smooth if you depend on God and jump in with an eagerness to learn.

Second, do not procrastinate! Know your deadlines, keep each other accountable and use your time wisely. Stay on top of things and you’ll find that the workload is totally manageable.

Third, do not stress! There are going to be times when you wonder how you’re going to get a paper in on time. One big thing I learned last year was how to be content with doing the best I could with the time I was given.  Give each assignment your all in whatever circumstance you find yourself, and then trust that that’s enough. Remember Matt 6:27 – worrying just isn’t worth it.

Fourth, take advantage of your leaders! All four of your leaders are there to help you succeed. I know each of them personally, so believe when I say they are incredibly wise and would love to help you wrestle with anything from theology to footnotes. Ask them lots of question, take their advice, and don’t forget to thank them for all their hard work.

Fifth, practice what you’re learning! One of the unique things about the Kaléo program is that you constantly receive opportunities to apply what you’re learning in real life situations. Since genuine change of heart and mind is reflected by your actions, these are valuable opportunities to demonstrate true character growth.

Finally, learn as a community! Explore hard concepts together, share what you’re learning with others, and challenge one another to reach your full potential. Success means ALL of you succeeding together.

God says that we will find Him when we seek Him with all our hearts. I pray that as you sit through lectures, read books, and write papers, you pursue God with everything you’ve got. Be stoked about academics! As you do this, He will be faithful to reveal Himself to you in new and amazing ways that change your life forever.

All the best,

Janelle

A word from last year's leadership award winner

Hey folks, here's a post from last year's leadership award winner, Jim Bodden:

Inspired for Life, called to lead

So you’ve been accepted into this program which has a tag line, “Inspired for life. Called to lead.” You have been called to lead. There is no better place to learn crucial leadership aspects than at Camp Qwanoes in the Kaleo Program. You will have many opportunities to step out in leadership throughout the year whether it’s on an adventure, or leading worship, or cleaning in the dish pit after dinner. You will have the opportunity to listen to, and participate with Andrew and his leadership team in leadership lessons. However, I challenge you to pay attention to the whole leadership team in their regular day to day activities as you will learn much from their example.

To be a leader is to have others follow you. Many believe that to be a leader you must be a talented public speaker for influencing the mass’s, a great guitar player for leading great congregations in worship a top physical athlete or a famous star admired by the world. Though many great leaders have these talents, these talents are not what define them as a leader. A leader is someone who has a positive attitude that rubs off on those around them, even if they are scrubbing dishes of cleaning toilets on a weekend retreat. A leader is one who is honest and has integrity, and makes those around them strive to follow their example. A leader must be willing to serve, to re-quote what Rachael Allen posted from Matthew 20:26-28, to be great you must be a servant and to be first you must be a slave, “even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve.
I am so excited that you have decided to go to Qwanoes to and partake in this leadership program. I pray that God will prepare your hearts for the lessons to be learned and the growth to be had. “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. (1 Tim. 4:12)

In Christ

Jim Bodden

A word from last year's ministry award winner

Hey everyone, here is post from last year's Ministry Award Winner, Rachael Allen.

Hello my beloved friends,

Although we do not know each other, I feel like I know you all so very well, for I was in your shoes at this time last year. You are either at a summer camp (like I was at Qwanoes), working or bumming around playing video games (I hope not!) and going to the beach. Ahead of you is this year where you know you will be changed, you know God is going to work, you know that you will experience the fullness of life…but you just don’t know how it all is going to pan out. 
As most of your minds race to the throws of academics and textbooks you will have to read, or the sick, crazy, mind-blowing adventures awaiting you, or the prospect of sharing a room and having someone with you constantly in community, I plead with you not to let this year slip by without giving of yourself in service.

As much as the Kaléo program is geared to you searching yourself and developing yourself as a leader, the most valuable thing you can do is put what you are learning in classes, in community and out in the wilderness into practice by serving just like Christ did himself. Along with instructing his disciples, teaching the mass of crowds and spending time alone with his Father, he spend valuable time getting down and dirty and serving those who did not deserved to be served: “even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” Matthew 20:28.


The ministry component is the most practical aspect of this program, at times it can be the component that gets easily overlooked and put onto the backboard so I plead with you to decide in your hearts that this will not be the case with you. In your youth groups, give it your all, give it 110%. You are only going to be with these kids for eight months…will they see Christ in you or just a duty to complete your Field Ed class? In camp ministry, no matter if you are counselling or washing dishes, how are you going to shine Christ to those around you? On your missions trip, you only get two weeks to be selfless like Christ and perform tasks that may not be your favourite…will you let Christ transform you and work through you?

 In your ministry journals, where you tell Lyann, but most importantly your friends and family back at home how your ministry at camp is going, actually try. Put effort into it, think hard, be honest and open. This online journal is something that you can revisit years down the road and read your own words of the life-change that God did in your own life through service. 
From one who has been there, from one who loves you and has huge hopes and expectations for you, I want to tell you that I know you are in this program for a purpose, don’t let it slip you by. It is going to be tough some days, you will want to scream and curl up in a ball and cry but it will also make you want to stand in Pacific Woods Lobby and cheer from the top of your lungs about the sweet miracles that Jesus Christ is doing through you.

 Immerse yourself in the passion, commit for the long haul and watch what God does through you. I am here for you, I am proud of you and I am praying for you! Add me on Facebook, tell me your stories, and especially though the year – tell me what God does through you as you serve practically for him! “To him be the glory, in the church and in Christ Jesus, throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen!” -Ephesians 3:21

-Rachael Allen (Ministry Award Winner 2012-2013)