We are excited to be taking a group of high school students to the Sangre de Cristo Mountains for a week of hiking, exploration, and fun. See below for helpful information, important dates, and to learn about this amazing opportunity. 
Basic Information
Description of Our Week: We will embark on a four-day Christian-centered backpacking adventure to the peaks of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains that will challenge us both physically and spiritually. The memories made on this trip will last a lifetime.

Dates: June 15-22
Leaving Sat, June 15 at 8 AM
Returning Saturday, June 22 at 9 PM)

Location: Hillside, CO (Hiking into the Sangre de Cristo Mountains)

Total Cost: $800. A non-refundable deposit of $150 due when you register

Deadline to Register: November 28

Summer Trip Meeting: December 2 at 10:00 AM in the Friendship Room for Parents/Caring Adults and Students. Please contact John when you register if you will be unable to make it to this meeting.  

Fundraising Opportunities: Hy-Vee Card Sales, Silent Auction, the Envelope Fundraiser, attending youth group, and other opportunities. See additional information below.
 
Questions: See below or contact John Schomberg at jschomberg@oslchurch.com or 605-336-2942 ext. 35
 
Chaperones: We are looking for adults to accompany us in Colorado. If you are an adult who enjoys spending time with teenagers and is interested in joining us, please contact John or Pastor Sami .
 
How to Register: Click on the button below to register electronically. Paper registrations can be picked up at the Youth Information Center in the Gathering Place or the Youth room. Paper copies can be turned in with the deposit to John or Nicole.
Other Information
What is Compass Points Adventure Experience? (from Rainbow Trail Website) Compass Points is a chartered backpacking adventure led by trained staff from Rainbow Trail Lutheran Bible Camp into the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of Colorado. Charters include at least two nights in base camp (Sunday and Friday) at Eagle Peak Lodge and 2-4 four nights out in the wilderness of the Sangres. Compass Points guides are mature, experienced counselors with deep and active faith in Jesus Christ. Their passion for youth, faith, and the outdoors will amaze and inspire you! Our goal is to provide your group with a thrilling week of Christian adventure designed with your needs in mind!

How will we get to Hillside, Colorado? We are renting 12 passenger vehicles.

Cost Breakdown
  • $475 for Registration (all inclusive)
  • $325 for transportation, 1 night lodging in Denver area, food, and community costs
  • Youth will be responsible for four meals while traveling
  • Compass Points provides the following hiking equipment: tents, backpacks, cook sets, first aid kits, food, stoves, and other group gear; guides, trail permits, and all specialty equipment for activities.
  • Youth will be responsible for providing personal clothing, a good pair of boots, and a compact sleeping bag.
  • Youth are responsible for money for extra snacks, souvenirs, etc.
  • Any additional group costs beyond the $800 will be paid by the youth ministry budget and will not be passed on to the youth

Am I really going to climb a mountain?  YES! But don’t worry, we will provide opportunities to get into hiking shape throughout the spring and early summer so that we are ready. If John can get into shape to climb up a mountain, so can you!

Payment Deadlines
  • A non-refundable deposit of $150 due when you register
  • The first payment of $200 due February 20 (equaling a total of $350 including deposit)
  • NOTE: If you have 5 items/baskets turned in for the silent auction this payment is not required at this time.
  • The second payment of $200 due March 31 (equaling a total of $550 including deposit)
  • The final payment of $250 due May 15 (equaling the final total of $800)
  • If you withdraw from the trip after February 20, you will still be responsible for 50% of the trip cost
  • If you withdraw from the trip after May 15, you will still be responsible for the full amount

What is the Website for Compass Points (a ministry of Rainbow Trail) ? See testimonials, a sample itinerary, and more at
Frequently Asked Questions
(from Rainbow Trail Website)
  • What is the trip like? Each adventure filled day is centered around worship, prayer, and Bible Study. We believe that the journey is as important as the destination and work to build strong Christ-centered relationships in the midst of hiking to the top of a mountain peak or rafting down the Arkansas River. Each day is filled with new challenges and the schedule of a week depends on the options the group chooses.
  • Are the trips safe? Any wilderness adventure has some degree of inherent risk due to weather, wildlife, terrain, and distance from advanced medical care. However, we take great pride in offering trips with well-trained guides who are certified in Wilderness First Aid and CPR and are able to adjust to changing situations and keep the group's safety as a primary consideration. Our guides also carry radios and SPOT satellite transmitters to contact RTLC base-camp in the event of an emergency and initiate established procedures for medical care, rescue, or evacuation if needed.
  • Are the trips physically difficult? Any physical activity at high altitude is strenuous. We work to set an “All-Day Pace” on trail that allows the group to travel together and enjoy their time together. We do recommend that all participants prepare themselves physically for the trip and offer training tips in the Pre-Trip materials we send out.
  • Will I stay clean on trail? Personal hygiene is always important, but you will get dirty on trail. Due to our low-impact practices, we discourage the use of most toiletries while on trail including deodorant and commercial toothpaste. (Don’t worry, we do brush teeth, and no one else will be using deodorant either) These products can damage the fragile mountain environments and attract wildlife. RTLC guides will teach appropriate low-impact practices for staying healthy in the backcountry. Modern shower and bath facilities are available at Rainbow Trail.
  • What will we eat? Rainbow Trail takes pride in serving great food and plenty of it, even on trail. On trail groups prepare simple, hearty meals. At the end of the week, we have a steak and trout cook-out to celebrate the adventure. We are accustomed to meeting the needs of those with food allergies and other special dietary needs.
Fundraising
We will have many opportunities for youth to participate in fundraising for our summer trips. We believe that with full participation each youth cover a large portion or even the entire cost of the trip.
  • HyVee Card Sales – Each youth will be assigned a Sunday to sell Hy-Vee Cards at the Youth Information Center. We will sell from 9:45 AM to 11:15 AM, and we require that each youth have a caring adult with them. The youth and adult will help a youth board member to sell cards as well as answer questions about upcoming youth ministry events. Each youth will receive $40 in their account for an hour and a half of service. If you are not able to serve during the Sunday assigned, you may switch with another youth or let John know so that other youth can have the opportunity to serve an additional shift.
  • Silent Auction – Dates of the auction are currently set for February 24 – March 3. The last day will end with a meal and a show on Sunday, March 3 from 5-8PM. We ask that each household contribute at least 5 items or baskets. These can be donations from a business or homemade items (woodworking, quilts, and small business items). We do ask that items be new! If you donate 5 items, you will receive a percentage of the money raised. If you work shifts or serve in other roles supporting the auction the percentage will be increased. Last year we made almost $12,000 because of the youth's hard work.
  • Youth Group – Every time a youth attends youth group (MSYG or HSYG), youth will earn $5 toward their account.  
  • Envelope Fundraiser – At the end of March through much of April, our Envelopes will go up in the windows by the Celebrate Center. They will be numbered 1-150. The number on the outside of the envelope is the amount of money a person puts inside the envelope. If we were to collect all 150 envelopes, we would raise over $11,000! This money will be evenly distributed among trip participants.
  • Other fundraisers – Group opportunities such as Pizza Ranch and personal opportunities such as Pampered Chef, Scrip, and Faith Shares.