Cross Training 2012
July 22-28
*Cross Training is open to campers who will be entering 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th grade and college freshmen in the fall of 2012.
Fee covers: Lodging & meals for the week at Sipapu, curriculum materials, t-shirt, accident insurance, service project materials, Friday afternoon adventure activity, travel meals, camping supplies.
Cross Training…Is it for me?
Cross Training is designed for you if:
-you frequently leave your youth group events wanting “more” but you might not be sure what to do about it
-you often find yourself in leadership positions among your peers that challenge your convictions
-you hunger to spend time with peers and mentoring adults who share your passion for living life as a disciple of Jesus
Cross Training is an adventure-packed one-week experience in discipleship in the mountains of New Mexico. The week’s focus is on Luke 9…the call to follow Jesus. This focus challenges the mind, the body, and the spirit. The greatest challenge is the intense focus on seeking God and going deep in community with other God-seekers through worship, solitude, and group discussion of the Word. Most of us are not used to an intense challenge…we have settled for mediocrity in our faith walk. The challenge we experience at Cross Training is magnified as the comforts of home are exchanged for the opportunity to serve and sacrifice. In the rustic environment of the Sipapu Summer Resort in the Carson National Forest, the noise and busyness of life back at home is surrendered so that Cross Training participants can serve others in the name of Jesus as well as experience times of uplifting praise, prayer, solitude, reflection, and celebration.
Key elements of the Cross Training experience:
Limited numbers- Only 42 campers are selected to attend Cross Training each year. Staff members (counselors, group leaders, mountain staff, etc.) are invited to serve for the week. The staff to camper ratio is nearly1:2, allowing numerous opportunities for mentoring to break out. After a week within this special community, it feels like family.
Vision Quest- Every day at Cross Training, all participants spend 45-60 minutes of time alone with God. This guided experience in solitude establishes a foundation from which other camp experiences develop.
Praise and worship- Have you ever just let go and praised God with your whole heart, mind, and body? At Cross Training, worship times are a joy-filled celebration of Christian community…where truth is revealed and we lift up the name of Jesus as our King. It’s powerful.
Small groups- Campers form community in small group of 5-6 members, led by a mentoring group leader. Strong bonds are formed as the group shares in studying the Word of God, seeking life applications, and sharing the challenges of daily life as a leaders and a disciple.
High altitude activity- The Lodge at the Sipapu Resort stands at 8200 feet. If you walk up the mountain (as we typically do during the week!) you can reach an altitude over 9200 feet. Compare this to the elevation of other cities…Abilene, TX 1789 feet…Austin, TX 550 feet…Dallas, TX 643 feet…Houston, TX 50 feet….and you might imagine that the higher altitude adds some flavor to our Cross Training experiences!
Service to others- In the nearby community of Chamisal, NM, Cross Training participants share in leading a children’s program for local youth, provide much-needed service to local residents, and prayer walk throughout the valley.
Overnight on the Mountain- Each small group spends one night during the week (weather permitting) up on the Sipapu mountain at the Cross Training campsite. This adventure is quite a challenge since it includes the hike up after dinner and back down in the morning after a night of sleeping in a tent. Cross Training is not for the faint of heart…or body!
Summit- Each night ends with a Summit experience, where small groups share insights that God has provided during their day with the hope of blessing and challenging one another.
A few details:
Check-in for all Cross Training campers will be Sunday, July 22nd.
Campers departing from Abilene will need to sign in at 6 a.m. in the parking lot outside of the Williams Performing Arts Center located on the corner of EN 16th and Judge Ely Blvd. Campers traveling directly to Sipapu need to arrive at the Sipapu Resort at 5pm. Please make your plans to arrive promptly within the stated time frame for registration.
Check-out for all Cross Training campers will be on Saturday, July 28th.
Campers traveling back to Abilene will arrive in Abilene at approximately 6:00pm in the parking lot of the Williams Performing Arts Center. Campers who will be picked up at Sipapu on Saturday should be picked up by 8:00am.
