The sunrise was beautiful from the window of a Fairfield Marriot hotel room. In a snow-covered parking lot, three charter busses, illuminated with pink sunlight, rested from their journey while bus drivers and 136 high school kids from Colonial Baptist Church waited for instructions. This wasn’t the original arrangement, but a slight change in plans couldn’t stop High School Winter Camp 2010 from proceeding.

High School Winter Camp is an annual weekend retreat in the Appalachian Mountains for Colonial’s students. The weekend is filled with biblical teaching, fellowship and fun activities. Friday night, when more snow fell than anticipated, Colonial’s busses were unable to make it to their destination, Teen Valley Ranch. Students and leaders were thankful that God provided a hotel on the way with room enough to house everyone until it was safe to get back on the road.

The stop-over was not part of the original plan, but the students didn’t mind. “Staying in a hotel in the snow really isn’t any different than staying in a cabin in the snow,” said 11th grader, Taylor Pritchard. “I think it was more fun, actually, because you got to choose who you roomed with,” said Shelby Coppetelli. Road conditions improved Saturday morning and the kids made it safely to the retreat center ready to hear God’s word.

“I’d rather be a weirdo in human eyes,” said guest speaker Andy Burggraff, “than a loser in God’s eyes. Amen?” His audience nodded and shouted a rousing, “Amen” in response. The topic of his messages was Gideon, an imperfect and insignificant man, who miraculously led Israel to victory, against all odds, simply by letting God work through him. Colonial’s teens were taught that God could do the same in their lives, despite their shortcomings. “Godliness is contagious, it just takes someone willing to declare their allegiance to God,” said Andy. Many of the students made that declaration personal.

After a final message about Gideon, students boarded the charter busses for a ride to a ski lodge. It was time to hit the slopes. “Going to the top of the mountain and seeing the mountains in the distance was the part I’ll remember most,” said first-time skier Mike Doble.

The students had to return to Cary Sunday night, a day earlier than planned because of a snow make-up day at school. On the way, many of them chattered about the exciting twists and turns that occurred during camp, but senior Natalie Daratony felt differently. “I’ve been to every camp since 7th grade,” said Natalie. “This camp really won’t stand out in my mind more than previous years.” For six years, camps have been a normal and beneficial part of her life. She isn’t pre-occupied with unexpected hotel stays, but instead realizes that every camp has given her an environment designed for maximum spiritual growth and fun. Those who went to Winter Camp 2010 will remember that for years to come.