By Glorianna Nichols
Young Life students traveled to Winter Park, Colorado for a ski trip over Christmas break to enjoy a week of fellowship and outdoor activities with YL students from around the country.
Young Life is a community based organization with local high school students who meet every Monday to be “introduced to Jesus and help them grow in their faith.” Students in YL attend clubs, participate in weekly Bible studies and go on camping trips like their annual ski trip.
“I’m so glad that I was able to go on the trip,” senior Abby Salisbury said. ”My favorite part was probably being able to play in the snow because we don’t get that here often.”
Students paid $1,000 to go on the trip, which lasted from Dec. 27 to Jan. 1. Despite being in YL since her freshman year, this is the first year Salisbury went on the trip.
“I wanted to experience something new since it’s my last year,” Salisbury said. “I’m glad I did because I grew closer with my friends and people from other places.”
Rylie Hickson, a senior who’s also been a part of YL since she was a freshman, attended last year’s trip.
“I’m going on the ski trip again because it’s a great opportunity to go skiing since I don’t usually get to go with my family,” Hickson said. “It’s a fun way to hang out with friends and to learn about Jesus with a whole new community because people from all over the country come to meet up in one place in a new environment.”
There are 20 YL programs located around the nation in addition to six outside of the United States. Hickson believes that the organization “as a whole” creates a great sense of community.
“I really like being involved in it because it just brings together people we don’t usually see during the school week in a place where they can all relate and learn about the world while having a great time,” Hickson said. “We sing songs, have a really good talk about the Lord and then reflect on what we learn about with our leaders.”
Lauren Grizzard, who’s been a leader since 2015, believes that the ski trip was an opportunity to “continue building a relationship with a YL leader” and create new experiences.
“This was such a unique Young Life camping opportunity and I looked forward to watching so many students experience this trip,” Grizzard said. “My favorite part about working with students in Young Life is the friendships I have made and all the high schoolers that I have gotten to witness meet and know Jesus.”
Even after she graduates, Hickson still wants to find a way to be involved with the organization.
“I hope to just bring in younger kids and just learn as much as I can so that I can pass down that information to whoever,” Hickson said. “It’s a place for everybody to be included and a really great place to get a good feeling out of learning about the Lord.”
