FPC High School Jackson Hole, Wyoming Junior-Senior Adventure Trip July 27-August 3, 2015
Why Adventure Trips? * To get students away from the noise. * We believe God speaks loud and clear through the majestic world He has created. * To build strong relationships. It gives us a chance to do ministry the way Jesus did it, living among people. * We ve seen the fruit from these trips & experienced it year after year. Matthew 17: 1 And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. Why specifically Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone, & Jackson Hole, WY? * The Jackson Hole airport is located inside Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park is just about an hour away. The students will get to enjoy plenty of time in two of the most beautiful national parks in America, experiencing spectacular landscapes rich with majestic mountains, pristine lakes and extraordinary wildlife in Grand Teton. Within Yellowstone are Old Faithful and the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. * This destination offers our group some great terrain for hiking and whitewater rafting, all with the hope of challenging our juniors and seniors and moving them to a deeper place in their relationship with God. * Grand Teton & Yellowstone are home to all kinds of wildlife, including grizzly bears, black bears, bison, gray wolves, elk, wolverine, lynx, moose, bighorn sheep, yellowbellied marmot, coyotes, trumpeter swans and bald eagles. * The adventure company hosting our group, Solid Rock Outdoor Ministries (SROM), is an incredible group of people with a mission to change lives by: Leading persons to knowledge of Jesus Christ through the outdoors Creating a divine human encounter Renewing, equipping, and refocusing individuals through God's creation and the Holy Spirit Where will we be sleeping? * We will be camping at the Granite Hot Springs campsite while we re with our SROM guides. We will be able to swim in the pool fed by the hot spring. * We will be sleeping on the floor of a church in Salt Lake City on our days off. What activities will we be doing? * We will be taking day hikes from our campsite every day. We ll also swim in the hot springs by our campsite.
How will we stay safe? * SROM does an extensive assessment of the risks involved prior to each trip they lead, covering every potential hazard from dehydration to animal encounters, and how to minimize and manage them safely. * The food will be safely stored and prepared. It will also be kept away from the campsite and out of reach of bears. SROM is based in Wyoming, so they are very accustomed to keeping groups safe from dangerous animal encounters on trips. * SROM has not had a serious accident/injury or fatality in the 26 years they have been providing outdoor adventure experiences. * SROM is one of 9 wilderness adventure programs in the country accredited with the Association for Experiential Education (www.aee.org), meaning that they meet the highest standards in the industry for policies, procedures, programming, staff training and development, risk management, transportation, equipment care and management. SROM undergoes an internal review every year and an external review every 3 years to ensure compliance with industry standards. What will be the temperature and chance of rain? How should I pack to prepare? * Weather could vary from sunny and warm to cold and rainy. The elevation we re at will vary, so the weather we experience will definitely fluctuate throughout the trip. The average temperature for Grand Teton National Park in July is a high of 78 degrees and a low of 42 degrees, with common afternoon thundershowers. * Considering the chance of rain, we strongly encourage each student to bring a waterproof rain jacket and pants. These can be purchased for about $25 at Academy. There is a cheaper, lightweight version for about $14, but it tears very easily and will not keep you dry. Also, please pack the warmest pieces of clothing you have in preparation for cold night time and higher elevation temperatures! What leaders will be on the trip? 1) Andrew McDonald, High School Director 2) Emily Deering, High School Director 3) Tim Cornelson, FPC Youth, Volunteer and FPC Elder 4) Cheryl Tucker, Office Manager 5) Donnie Marion, FPC Youth Volunteer 6) Cindy Marion, FPC Youth Volunteer 7) Gina Luther, FPC Youth Volunteer 8) Trey Rummel, HS Summer Intern 9) Lexi Reamer, HS Summer Intern 10) Bill Drexel, FPC College student
How many students will be on the trip? * We expect to have about 45 students on the trip Jackson Hole Flight Information Time to arrive at the airport: 6:00am Departure Date: July 27, 2015 Delta Flight #867 to Salt Lake City Departure Time: 8:00am Arrival Time: 10:19am Return Date: August 3, 2015 Delta Flight #858 to Houston Departure Time: 7:55pm Arrival Time: 11:57pm
Contact Information *In the case of an emergency here are the numbers you can call: Andrew s Cell (713) 859-1693 Emily s Cell (713) 829-4097 Tim s Cell (713) 527-0057 Total Cost Wyoming Adventure Trip (payable by check to FPC): $1350 Additional spending money: $125-175 (10 meals on days off and snacks) $25 (souvenirs - optional) Please believe me when I tell you we are doing are best to keep trip prices down! * Know that we do have financial aid available, email Denver if you have questions about how to apply. (dmccollister@fpchouston.org) Payment Schedule 1 st Payment Already Due $675 2 nd Payment June 27, 2015 $675 We must receive payments on time to ensure your student s spot on the trip. If you have financial questions or issues we need to be aware of, please communicate with us before the payment due date so we know how to serve your family.
Wyoming Adventure Trip prayer requests *For the unity of our group, both leaders & students. *For the overall safety of our trip. *For God s presence to go with us. *For the physically challenging aspect of this trip to be appropriate for each student. *For our students to be open to what God wants to do in their lives and hearts. *For God to give our leadership team wisdom. *That God would raise up the funds for our students to go. Pray for all the families of our students financial situations, that this trip would not be an financial burden to any family. *That every student going on this trip would feel loved by our leaders, the Solid Rock leaders and the other students. *That God would use this trip to draw students to Himself. That He would inspire the kids who are not extremely involved in our ministry to get more involved, all for the glory of God. Thank you *The Youth Ministry at First Presbyterian Church would get nothing done if it weren t for all of the supportive parents like you!
SROM Provides The following items will be provided by SROM but you may bring them if you already have them. Fleece jacket Wool sweater Waterproof rain jacket Wool pants Sleeping pad (SROM provides closed cell foam pads) Synthetic or down sleeping bag (must be rated to 32 F or lower) Nalgene water bottle FPC days off packing list Salt Lake City: You will need these items for the last 2 days and nights of the trip. This clothing should be kept separate from the clothing worn during the adventure part of the trip, so that it will be clean. We will not be with SROM in Salt Lake City, so we will not be able to use their gear, such as sleeping pads and bags. One nice outfit to wear to dinner Comfortable clothing to lounge in at the church in the evenings 2 outfits for days off (shorts and t-shirts acceptable) 1 outfit for the flight home Bathing suit for some water activities (must be modest!) A sleeping bag and pad (this is essential-we ll be sleeping on hard floors at a church)