| BLOG: Adventure Trips |
2009 Adventure Trip Blog
By Team GTD
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Strap on your seatbelt each day and take a cyber adventure trip with one of GTD's 11 groups this summer as we Twitter and Blog our God-awesome journey below! |
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Check back daily 4 our latest trip updates inside the "Polaroid picture" above! | ||||
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We will also add pictures & blog each trip whenever we get time...
and don't 4get to leave comments at the bottom!! | ||||
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JUNE 21-27, 2009 |
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Family Center on Deafness Adventure Trip (Brevard, NC)... |
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It's day five of the FCD Adventure Trip and Twitter Doug, myself (Laurie), our volunteers (Christina, Jessie, Brittney and Rachel, GTD's Director Tessa and the FCD crew are having a fun packed week, and a busy one at that! Since FCD's arrival on Saturday night they have had two really awesome hang out days at camp. The kids have been playing Ultimate Frisbee, Football, board and card games, watching outdoor movies and riding down and jumping into two small waterfalls that are within walking distance to camp.
 Fun Around Camp
Monday Tessa and Rachel took the group to Sliding Rock a local water adventure area. It was a nice start to an exciting week. It gave the kids a great chance to unwind after a day of traveling.
 Sliding Rock
On Tuesday thanks to some fellow campers, we found a really cool rock climing spot directly behind our tent area. We set up 3 climbs and the group spent the afternoon racing up the wall.
 Rock Climbing
Wednesday the group hiked 1.5 miles to a favorite spot of GTD participants called Turtleback and Rainbow Falls. The afternoon was spent sliding down Turtleback falls into a pool of cold refreshing water. From there we walked a short distance to Rainbow Falls, a 200 foot waterfall. This is where both the kids and leaders climbed the side of a 15-20 foot cliff to jump into a large pool of water next to the waterfall. Some of the kids were quick to jump, others had some hesitation, but still everyone who made the journey up jumped, and surfaced with a HUGE smile and shouts of excitement! It was a great joy to see the kids enjoying God's amazing playground and feeling so proud of themselves and their accomplishment. It was a huge encouragement to me as last year I had a real difficult time jumping off a 10-15 foot bridge. These kids were very bold and courageous and I was very proud of them! I hope soon I too will be able to jump with so much confidence.  Staff, Volunteers and Interns
I am so happy to share with you that Faith and Courage (GTD's Adventure dogs) are a great hit with the kids. It's touches my heart to see the kids interact with them. During hikes they are volunteering to walk them, on car rides they are cuddling and holding them and periodically during the day they are loving on them. We are so proud of Faith and Courage. They are a great addition to our team and have been doing a fantastic job watching the camp for us and alerting us when people come near. Tuesday night however, Faith wandered away from camp. We were told by a hiker that he had seen her on one of the trails about a mile away. Quickly, Doug, Jessie, Courage and myself sprang into action to find her while the rest of the camp went about their scheduled activities under the care of our other Director. We hiked about 3 miles to look for her only to come up empty handed. From there, Doug and I journeyed up the mountainside in the van to look for her at the end of the trail we had previously hiked. Doug and Courage again hiked the trail at 9:30 p.m. with a headlamp and whistle trying to find her. Again, nothing! Needless to say, it was a restless night for Doug and myself as we were concerned about our little dog's safety. We rose early on Wednesday, Doug from his hammock and me from my tent, and took a short journey into the woods to find her. As we neared camp we heard barking in the distance, with excitement we all ran as fast as we could to find Faith back at camp! We were so thankful she had found her way back home. We hope she learned a lesson, but some how, I don't even think she knows she was missing, I'm sure she was just out exploring and having the time of her life! Tomorrow the group is going whitewater rafting on the Nantahala. It will be a full last day away from camp before they head back to Florida on Saturday morning.
Together, we have all made some lasting memories and great friendships. |
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JUNE 27 - JULY 1, 2009 |
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Plymouth Baptist Church of Indiana Adventure Trip (Brevard, NC)... |
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(Laurie):
This morning started with a goodbye to FCD, Tessa, Racheal and Brittney before sneaking in a quick nap as we awaited the arrival of Plymouth Baptist Church. I am glad to report the PBC arrived safely and has settled into camp. They have had a fun filled afternoon of playing, jumping and riding down waterfalls, hiking and a bit of volleyball. Tonight we all will meet together for dinner and an Impact Point (Biblical Teaching) taught by our fearless leader Twitter Doug! Tomorrow we head to Turtleback and Rainbow Falls! Tuesday, June 30th:
I can't believe today is the last day of camp for Plymouth Baptist Church. It feels like they just arrived yesterday! The mile and a half hike up a very steep moutain to Turtleback and Rainbow Falls was well worth it for this incredible group of teens and their leaders. It was a good workout for each of us and the payoff was so sweet. The cool water was so refreshing!
 TurtleBack Falls
 Rainbow Falls
Yesterday the group spent their morning participating in team building games, which tied in well with the weeks lessons on leaders. Nightly Impact Points (Biblical Based Lessons) have been a tag team effot between Pastor David, Adam and Doug. Each night has begun with praise and worship, followed by a lesson about a leader in the bible (ex. Moses, Joshua) and then the kids are asked to think about the application of how to apply and learn from it in their own lives. During last nights time together we all received some of the sweetest news ever. Raymond, one of the kids from Plymouth Baptist shared with us all that he had asked Jesus into his heart that very day! We are so thrilled for him to be starting on one of the biggest adventures of his life with Christ! Congratulations Raymond!
 Team Building
 Raymond Asked Jesus Into His Heart! One of my favorite moments of the week happened yesterday as the group was rock climbing. Heaven, had scaled the wall in confidence, but as she reached the top, her fear of heights set in and she became frozen in fear. Instantly my heart went out to her as I remembered my own fear of jumping off a bridge last summer and how frozen I became in that moment. It was only natural for me to want to help her work through this and get her back down. Once I joined Heaven at the top it took about 10 minutes for her to take her first step. Slowly, step by step we came down the wall together, all the while her saying, "I can't", but she was! When we got about half way down the rock we stopped at a little ledge I had been sitting on to take pictures and I told her to wait a moment while I grabbed my camera. "You're taking a picture," she said in a surprised manor! Yep, I sure was! I wanted her to have a lasting memory of this moment and all she had overcome. I was so proud of her! At that point, we continued down the wall together, her with more confidence as she leaned back into the rope and relaxed. Job well done Heaven! The next time you think you can't, just remember what you have already done! You can do anything you put your mind to!
 Rock Climbing
 Congratulations Heaven For Making It Down!
Today the group woke at 4 a.m. to go whitewater rafting down the Chatooga River, Section 4, the best in the S.E.! The interns, Christina and Jessie, along with Brenda Siler (Pastor David's Mom) and I stayed behind. Only 32 spots were available for rafting. It's been a wonderful day. We all were able to sleep in and later headed into town to pick up the tan van, eat lunch and use the internet. Christina and Jessie took Faith and Courage to a Thai Restaurant where they were able to eat outside! All in all it's been a great day.
PBC will leave early tomorrow morning and we will start preparing for the next group, SLAMMED (GTD's Public Adventure Trip).
Be sure to check back soon and follow us on Twitter! Have a God blessed day. |
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JULY 1-5, 2009 |
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14th ANNUAL SLAMMED Adventure Trip (Brevard, NC)... |
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Hi all! Doug and myself along with the GTD Dogs, Faith and Courage are catching up on some well needed rest and office work this week after 14 days of camping.
Sunday finished our 14th annual SLAMMED trip with some really awesome people from the Tampa Bay and North Carolina area. The really fun thing about our public trips like SLAMMED is that we begin to see more and more familiar faces event after event, and also we get to meet some new ones as well. Including all our staff and interns we had 30 people total for an awesome 5 day Adventure Trip. With SLAMMED leading into the 4th of July weekend the spiritual emphasis for the week was focused on our Freedom in Christ.
The campsite at Cove Creek is sweet in the sense that if offers camping, hiking, swimming holes and rock climbing all on site. The first day of activities included rock climbing and everyone participated accept for one who recently had reconstructive surgery on her ankle. For some it was their first experience at climbing and for others it was a refresher. My personal highlight of the day was to see Kevin Starner's 7 year old little brother Andrew climb the wall with such determination. He was so adorable climbing the wall and looked so tiny. As I sat half way up on a ledge taking pictures I watched how focused he was on the task at hand. Not once did he say he couldn't do it or that he was scared. There were moments when his foot would slip and he would let out a little wimper, but yet he continued to climb without a word. At one point his foot was half way out of his shoe and he took it off and climbed the rest of the way with the shoe in his hand! Once he reached the top and his shoe was securely on his foot he was ready to come down. He absolutely amazed me with the amount of faith and confidence he had as he came down, again there was no hestitation. Later on that day a few of us stepped away from camp to lower the ropes and take one last climb, Andrew included. As soon as we got to the wall he was looking for his harness, a helmet and asking to go up the wall. At the time my cousin was already on the rope and reaching the top as I yelled up, "Awesome, you're a rock climbing pro!" Andrew's response to this statement he thought was meant for him was, "I is!" It just melted my heart!
 Rock Climbing - (Andrew is the little guy in the top left hand corner.)
 Rock Climbing - Way to go everyone!
The following day we hiked to Turtleback and Rainbow falls. It was the third hike within two weeks for the GTD staffers, interns and dogs. The trails were rocky in some areas and dirt covered in others. It was an intense hike for each of us, especially Ines who I mentioned earlier. She was the participant who recently had reconstructive surgery on her ankle. At first, we weren't sure if she was going to make it all the way up the mountain. Some of the trail was an easy hike, but most was an up hill, not easy for someone who recently had surgery! Ines however took that mountain on like it was her job. There were moments where she had to stop and rest, others where she had to actually use all four points of contact to get up certain spots, but just like Andrew, she was determined as she continued to the top! Ines, we are so proud of you for your accomplishment! |
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JULY 11-15, 2009 |
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Calvary Chapel of St Petersburg Adventure Trip (Tellico Plains, TN)... |
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(written by one of the Calvary Chapel participants)
Hi All, WHAT A TRIP WE HAD! GOD answered SO MANY prayers! (especially those of being afraid!) He showed HIMSELF so STRONG! What an awesome group of middle schoolers they are! Precious in His Sight and mine. Check out my web site to see all the photo's of our trip:
(to enjoy the trip more........click on links below) We had THE Best Time at Youth Camp!! All glory and praises to GOD. He put together the perfect youth camp package including all the leaders! Many of us got to do things we have never done and see an area we have never seen, (for me and Alex it was quite a switch from the adventure of caring full time for toddlers the last 4 years). Again God showed us His beautiful creation and His marvelous character by reminding us of His love through His protection, shelter and providing ways. He had blessings and surprises around every corner for us. I am so glad He gave me eyes to see them. I know He loves it when we enjoy what He has created. We did some of the scariest activities that only God Himself could give me His peace about, especially when I watched my children doing them! I just had to LET GO AND LET GOD as my Aunt Donna would say! We were in the absolute beauty of the Tellico Plains area and the Cherokee National Forest on the border of TN and NC. We camped in tents in a very primitive camp ground, McNabb Creek. The water we used for cooking was from a spring. We collected it and treated it for drinking and cooking. No electricity at all. Vault toilets and no showers! Bathing was in the North River. A huge thunderstorm awoke us just before midnight our 2nd night there. The rain drenched us (in our PJ's) as we ran into the vans for safety, but God kept us safe through the lightening that literally was right over top us. We went white water rafting on the Ocoee River. (this link shows a photo of Alex and me on the raft). Rock cllimbing & repelling on Starr Mountain, waterfall sliding off Baby Falls and cliff and bridge jumping!!!!! Alex and Forrest both did the rock climbing and the 70 feet rapelling down the rock of Starr Mountain. Forrest did the 40 foot cliff jumping and all 3 of us went whitewater rafting, went down the water fall and jumped about 25 feet off the bridge. Keeping in perspective we are a bunch of Floridians: The temperature of the water was so VERY COLD, below 68 degrees, but it was so very clean and clear! Great for Trout fishing but close to freezing for us. (Trout habitat requirements include water temperatures below 68 degrees, heavy oxygenation and clean, clear water, and these conditions prevail in the Tellico River corridor). We had A BLAST though! I can't wait for next years camp. Whitewater rafting is my new favorite "ride". I'll take it over an amusement park any day! To see lots of photo's of all the kids go to my web site at: http://web.me.com/cassilester/loving_life_because_of_Christ/My_Albums/My_Albums.html - Cassi and family 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 Timothy 4:12 |
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JULY 20-24, 2009 |
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Element Church Adventure Trip (Tellico Plains, TN)... |
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JULY 29 - AUGUST 2, 2009 |
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First Presbyterian Church of Naples Adventure Trip (Cornelia, GA)... |
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AUGUST 3-7, 2009 |
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Skycrest Baptist Church of Clearwater Adventure Trip (Cornelia, GA)... |
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AUGUST 8-11, 2009 |
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GO VERTICAL Rock Climbing & Rappelling Adventure Trip (Cornelia, GA)... |
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AUGUST 12-15, 2009 |
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Grand Island Baptist Church Adventure Trip (Cornelia, GA)... |
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SEPTEMBER 4-7, 2009 |
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NOMAD Backpacking Adventure Trip (Cornelia, GA)... |
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SEPTEMBER 9-13, 2009 |
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Tampa Covenanat Church Adventure Trip (Cornelia, GA)... |
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