Spring Break in Moab, Utah--Backpacking & Orienteering

Rick Masters--Adventure Ministry Program Manager

Since Moab, Utah is a bit of a distance from Wheaton College, the students and the other trip leader and I who were a part of the Backpacking & Orienteering trip had the opportunity to spend lots of quality time together in the van getting to know each other before beginning the backpacking portion of the trip.   

There was an eclectic group of students which provided many great
perspectives on life and worship and the exploration of a brand new
territory.  There were distinct challenges that were
necessary to get re-focused and re-oriented and get connected
back to what is really important in life.

It was interesting to bring students out of the pressures of everyday life in Wheaton (classes, grades, homework, ministry, sports, relationships, activities, etc.) and place them in a situation where the only pressures were eating, sleeping, navigating and getting to the next camp site.  That difference in pressure made for many conversations on meaningful topics like life after college, our church lives, and our relationships.  It also allowed us plenty of time for fun card games like Mafia. 

These students went on spring break, and instead of focusing on themselves they focused on each other, which made living in God's creation so rich and powerful.