And They're Off...

John Vandervelde - Program Director

Last Wednesday I had the privilege of dropping off the boys' DTP (Discipleship Training Program) group in Minnesota for their 10-day wilderness trip.  These 7 campers and 2 counselors are going to hike on the Superior Hiking Trail in the Sawtooth Mountains of Northern Minnesota.  I dropped them off at the Northernmost terminus of the trail, about 20 miles outside the small town of Hovland, MN.  They started their trek about 10 miles from the Canadian border and their hike will take them about 60 miles south where they will be picked up at Cascade State Park, just outside Grand Marais, MN.  We had a great drive up North.  The van was filled with excitement as the group anticipated a great adventure ahead.

At the same time I was taking these young men to Minnesota the two female DTP groups were being dropped off in two different spots in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, where they too will travel for 10 days through the wilderness, spending most of their time hiking the North Country Trail and going through the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park.

These wilderness trips are the first phase of the six-week Discipleship Training Program (DTP).  DTP is designed for high school students who are ready for challenge, service, and the adventure of really deepening their faith.  After spending the first two weeks preparing for and going on a wilderness trip, the next week is spent at White Buck Lodge, a camp area off the main HoneyRock property.  While at White Buck the DTP cabins become a unified team.  They cook their own meals, do work projects, and have a lot of fun together. 

After a week at White Buck the team will spend a week doing service projects in our local community.  They will paint, mow lawns, do yard work, split firewood, wash windows, and do a variety of other things to help those in need in Three Lakes and Eagle River.  The following week is spent in Minneapolis, MN at Park Ave United Methodist Church.  While at Park Ave the DTP team will run a Vacation Bible School program at the church for inner-city youth.  They will also do some other projects in the community with the church.

The final week of DTP is spent back here at HoneyRock.  The campers and staff will participate in camp activities and enjoy camp life for a few days before heading home.

The core of DTP is teaching young people what it means to be a full-devoted follower of Christ.  Through adventure experiences, mission opportunities and other challenges campers learn what it means to live their lives as disciples of Christ.  The teaching times and Bible studies this summer are centered on the life of Christ.  Counselors will lead nearly 40 Cabin Impacts (Bible Studies) about Jesus and what it means to live like Him, follow Him and give your life to Him.

DTP is truly a unique and special program.  Six weeks of time together creates the opportunity for young people's lives to be transformed and inspired to be disciples of Christ.  It also allows for a lot of life-long memories and friendships to be created.  Please pray for the counseling staff and all 23 DTP campers this summer!

The DTP guys group a the start of their wilderness expedition.