Comments

Nice Things People Tell Us!

At Athelas Outdoor Ministry, Inc. we like what we do! And we are always very happy when others like it too. This whole web-site is our way of telling you about us. This page, however, lets others tell you about us!

What Participants
have to Say!

It was an awesome experience that I will NEVER forget!!!

I had a great time getting to know everbody even better than I already did. Getting to know new people that were totally amazing. I don't even know how to explain it. It gave me a different perspective on life.

The food was really GOOD!!!

First of all, thank you so much for putting this on and being great leaders. It was seriously one of the greatest weekends of my life. I learned so much about our God and about all of the symbolism and how everything interconnects. That was very helpful and it renewed my faith to stronger than its been in a long time.

I had a wonderful time in Montana. Living outdoors for a week like we did was a really awesome experience that would be hard to have around here. It was very educational too. We learned a lot about God, but also about ourselves and the things around us. I will always remember this trip and all the things we did and the wonderful people we met. Thank you again for letting us come and for such a warm welcome.

The hikes were outstanding. The trip to Stahl Peak was worth it and so was getting lost.

It was one of the best vacations I've ever been on. It was a blast and I loved bonding with my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ and with the Lord. The Athelas Ministry should continue their service with as many other youth groups as possible.

Our Montana trip was a once in a lifetime journey that we could share with our friends and even total strangers. Pastor and his wife were the best to us, we couldn't have asked for better hosts. Sandy, Bill, and Donna are three wonderful people that we at Grace are surely going to miss. I'm really sorry about Eric and myself keeping all of you up at night, but what can you do when two teenage boys are in the same tent? That trip to Montana really meant a lot to me and I hope I can come back and visit you all again one day. Thank you all.

I personally thought the trip was the best. I thought everything was very well planned out. We knew what we were doing and when. It was great to have everything taken care of for us. I loved roughing it and was pleased to see everybody adapt to it. Everybody treated us so well. The horseback riding, the hikes, the food, it was all great. I was glad we got to go fishing, since that is something I enjoy here at home. I wished I could have seen more wildlife, but I guess that is something you CAN'T plan. And also hard to do in such a large group. I thought having Bible studies in the middle of the wilderness was very cool also. If I got the chance to do it all again, I definitely would. And again, Thank You!

The trip was great! I would recommend this trip to everyone. I had so much fun. Everyone was so nice to us and the food was great. I feel like I grew so much on this trip. I loved everything you had planned for us. It was definitely one of the BEST trips ever.

What Parents have to Say!

"Most Positive! They had fun. Everyone got along. All the kids told me how much fun they had...they definitely did not miss me!"

"I feel they both came home with a positive attitude and would love to do it again!"

"David came home thrilled with the experience. I got the feeling they functioned as a unit. He feels more camaraderie with the group."

"Maybe we can encourage each one to take a friend along the next time. It's nice to include others in such a rewarding activity!"

"Of course the beauty of God's creation stands out as being a highlight of the trip, and bits and pieces of Marty's Bible studies continue to come to my thoughts, but I'm still overcome with emotion by the wonderful people from St. Peter who displayed the love of Christ by caring for us like family, giving unselfishly of their time and energy, and just being there for all our needs. DON'T lose your enthusiasm! So many people are going to benefit from this ministry!"

What Group Leaders have to Say!

"One of our teens expressed it by saying, 'I climbed a mountain!' We know this meant far more than just success from a hike. It was emblematic of the far more important blessing of a growing faith in Christ and joy among His people."

"All in all, the trip is a memory we'll never forget. It was more than a trip--it was an experience. We didn't take a tour--we experienced, participated and learned. THANK-YOU!!"

"Pastor Kaarre's studies and devotions, our introduction to new wonders of God's creation, and the encouragement to our faith will bear fruit for a long time to come."

"Everything being said, we could not have had a more marvelous week. It will have been an adventure every one of us will recall happily for years and years. It remains to be seen how the retreat will shape some of the thinking of our teens toward youth ministry for the future, but I am very optimistic they will see through fresh and 'can do' eyes. For me, it was one of the best things I've has the privilege of doing with teenagers in thirty years. Our deepest thanks to you all."

"The trip exceeded my expectations! I prayed for all things to go well, and God truly answered that prayer! The retreat was very well organized, and all the people who helped understand teens--and that's good. I think our kids felt comfortable right away. I loved seeing the youth away from their peers and environment. It's amazing how happy they were square dancing, for instance, but put that same thing next to their school and they would have acted totally different."

Miscellaneous Comments!

When asked what three things were most meaningful to trip participants, here is what they had to say. Some couldn't name three particulars...

I LOVED it all.

It was amazing. That's about all there is to say.

It was really something else!

The fact that you guys, being complete strangers to us showed us so much kindness...

I liked how each one had a great sense of humor.

Thanks for everything!

Others could...

Climbing Stahl Peak, sleeping under the stars, and the people and how generous everyone was

I bonded with people who I usually don't talk to every day. I learned I can go a week without showers. Everything I did...horseback riding, square dancing, and hiking.

Beautiful scenery, making new friends, bible studies

The hike up to Stalh Peak is some of the most meaningful evidence of God's work as the Creator. The vastness of the mountains and the beauty of it all is one of the surest proofs of creation. The way the youth bonded to each other and the kindness of complete strangers was also very meaningful.

Bible studies, fellowship and the hospitality

Being out with nature. Meeting new people. And now I don't take toilets for granted.

Mountains. Stars in the skyline

The grandeur of the view from atop the peaks, painting the schoolhouse, and the bible studies

Meeting new people. Spending time with the people I met and the people I knew. How spiritually enlightening it was.

The wonderful people that we met. They really helped make it a wonderful experience. I really enjoyed painting the schoolhouse because it helped show we can help people outside our own community, and then seeing how much it meant to the people of that town. The whole trip was very meaningful because I think it helped bring our whole youth group closer together.

Spending time with everybody in my youth group, and that we were all there for the same thing. Being able to tell everybody that I can climb a mountain. And enjoying everything that I thought I would never see.

Bibles studies. Meeting new people. Having a great time.

What YOU have to Say!

Have you participated in an Athelas event? Want to tell us anything about it? Do you want to join an Athelas event? Do you have questions? Do you have ideas? Do you have comments on the Web site or anything we do? If the answer is YES to any of these questions, then this space is for you. Fill out the form below and send it to us. We will post comments appropriate for this section. We will personally answer any questions and get back to you!

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Athelas Outdoor Ministry

Challenge, Growth, and Renewal through Adventure