Spring Break High School Retreat 2012

If you had to pick a major part of the body to be rid of, would it be an easy choice? What would life be without sight? The use of your arms? The ability to walk, jump, run freely? Maybe you’d forego ears, but what’s life without sound? Can we agree to the conclusion that we’d all prefer life with full use of all our extremities?

High School students at the Ozone Spring Break Retreat this year were challenged with a similar idea. As the “body” of Christ, each of us represents a part, and each part is responsible to do what it’s been chosen to do, serving in the capacity it was designed to serve in.

From March 21-23, around 100 high school students from all over Northwest Arkansas convened at Camp War Eagle for a retreat geared around serving the community and learning what it means to live out our roles as followers of Christ. “Selfless,” the theme of the retreat, manifested itself in Biblical lessons learned and service completed, relationships made and conversations had.

Students served several locations throughout the region: the Samaritan House Thrift Store, Goodwill in both Bentonville and Springdale, Cuerpo Vivo Church of Rogers and other places of need. Hard work and dedication to projects resulted in over 760 hours of community service performed between Thursday and Friday alone. Organizations were “impressed and thankful” for the effort and persistence put forth by students.

Small groups led by Camp War Eagle 365 staff and volunteers and past Camp War Eagle counselors were established to build community and relationships. Creativity reigned supreme as leaders came up with fun themes, like the Yellow Hats, the Bros and the Secret Ninjas, for the group to be known by. Teams discussed together what it meant to be a “part” of the body of Christ. How do I serve with my gifts and abilities I’ve been given, and how do I encourage others to do the same? When all parts work together in harmony, serving in their ability, the body serves it’s purpose, showing Christ to others.

So in returning to the question about what body part students would do without, it becomes simple to see that all parts are necessary and all parts have a purpose, as do they in the body of Christ.

 “My favorite part was probably service projects, it actually made a difference. It was good to help,” one High School junior from Rogers reported. The retreat was without a doubt one of the most energetic and purposeful events of the year. Students enjoyed dance parties and dodgeball, but came away with deeper lessons about their role as followers of the Christ and the importance of serving the community selflessly.

Check out some pictures of our fun time!

dance party!