Blog | Christian Snowsports Ministry

Camp des Cimes, April 2008

Tue, 10 May 2011 08:34:25 -0600

Christian Snowsports Ministry

April 2008

Camp des Cimes, France

It’s hard to believe another April camp in France has come and gone. We want to thank each one of you who have participated, contributed and prayed for us as we serve the Lord!

The Greater Europe Mission camp at Camp des Cimes was once again the site of our French/American ski camp in late April. It was a fairly small camp, as there were 13 French kids and 3 Americans, plus the leaders. Lorenzo Monge, from Paris, was there to lead the camp bible lessons. He asked the group “What is love?”, “What is truth?” and “If you love someone, do you always have to tell the truth?”. It was amazing to hear some of the rationale for lying!! In France, appearances are very important and it was very apparent that this discussion really hit home. Growing up in France with a post-Christian worldview, they really struggled with those concepts. Many of them heard for the first time, what the bible says about love and truth and about God’s love for them.

During our last day together, we discussed the fact that bad things happen sometimes and what would the world be like if there were no bad things. Many of them are going through difficult times in their lives and are really hurting. But the teens believed that they needed bad things to appreciate the good things. Lorenzo tried to put their ideas into perspective and gave some real life examples from things the kids were going through to illustrate just how crazy that belief is. Bringing out the extremes of this line of thinking really challenged them to re-evaluate their own beliefs and to take another look at God’s plan for salvation.

Our last night at camp, we all made clay abstract art that represented our experiences at the camp that week. We then went around the room and told about our creations. I learned that I have no clue how to make abstract art and am a very concrete thinker! It was very cool to see what everyone else made and to hear their explanations. Most of the teens were surprisingly very transparent about their feelings and how God was working in their lives.

One young man arrived at camp living very far from God. We could see the struggle on his face each day…he was not a happy camper! Near the end of the camp, he explained, that he finally allowed God back into his life. We pray for him as he has so many outside influences in his life that pull him away from God. That is true for all the teens at the camp as well.

Several guys at the camp expressed a desire to know God and said they were still seeking to know Him. One young man was full of questions all week. Another just flat out said that he wanted to know God, but wasn’t sure he’d found Him yet. Please join us in prayer for these precious French people.

Thank you again, to all the staff at Camp des Cimes, for inviting us to participate in your ministry to reach those you care so much about in France. We count it as a privilege to serve our great God along side you. Thank you too, for all who have supported us in any form and continue to give us your support as we look forward to the 2009 camps!

In His service,

Carrie Calvin

Christian Snowsports Ministry

2009 Photo Album @ Camp des Cimes

Mon, 09 May 2011 17:29:48 -0600

2008 Photo Album @ Camp des Cimes

Mon, 09 May 2011 16:46:25 -0600

2005 Video @ Camp des Cimes

Mon, 09 May 2011 15:54:46 -0600

Champfleuri, February 2008 with YouTube Video

Fri, 06 May 2011 16:07:12 -0600

2008 Photo Album @ Champfleuri

Fri, 06 May 2011 15:50:58 -0600

2005 Photo Album @ Camp des Cimes

Fri, 06 May 2011 13:27:21 -0600

Camp des Cimes, April 2007 with photos and video

Fri, 06 May 2011 13:08:46 -0600

2004 Photo Album @ Camp des Cimes

Thu, 05 May 2011 15:53:24 -0600

2002 Photo Album @ Champfleuri

Thu, 05 May 2011 14:39:25 -0600

2006 Photo Album @ Champfleuri

Mon, 02 May 2011 10:46:56 -0600

Return to Champfleuri, February 2006

Camp des Cimes, April 2010 with photos

Wed, 05 May 2010 17:09:48 -0600

Ah...spring in the Alps! April is always a great time of year to visit in the high mountains: lots of sunshine, some snow, rain, you name it! Wild flowers are starting to poke their little heads up and the leaves are just beginning to bud out. I am always surprised at how chilly the air is when I first step out of the van upon our arrival at the Camp! It may be spring, but it can still feel like winter at times. On one of our first mornings at camp, we awoke to an inch or so of new snow on the ground! It was beautiful!

Our April 2010 American team was made up of 2 students from Capernwray Bible School in England, a University of Utah sophomore and myself. There were several French teens and a British young man, as well as the missionary kids who live at the camp and usually need to decide whether they will be counted as American or French for the week. Also, Camp des Cimes provides a wonderful staff to work with for our week there and we cannot say enough great things about how well they run things there! While we had fewer people at the camp this year, our lack of numbers was more than made up for by our enthusiasm for God and the great friendships we created and renewed. It was a blessing to see several familiar French faces from the previous year and also great to meet some new people, including some of the missionaries who live at and around the camp itself. We also enjoyed some in-depth discussions about God's Word and asked ourselves some difficult questions to challenge us to greater spiritual growth. This camp was made up of believers, so the focus was geared to the groups needs. As in any group, there are always people going through various trials in their lives and we continue to pray for each one, that God will light their paths brightly and that each one would choose to trust Him and grow in their commitment and faith.

As camp came to a close and we said our goodbyes, we were surprised by the volcanic eruption in Iceland and how it affected quite a few of our campers and staff! God graciously provided for everyone as travel plans were put on hold indefinitely when all of Europe was at a standstill and new concerns offered another chance to trust God in His infinite wisdom. Leave it to the French to stage a train strike at the same time all planes were down! But as we scattered to try to find our way home, His hand was upon each of us and as we look back at those extra days we spent in France, we know that it was God's Will and another opportunity to reach out to people we may not have spent time with otherwise.

--Carrie Calvin

P.S. Below are a few photos from this year's camp.

Champfleuri, February 2010

Mon, 05 Apr 2010 17:12:41 -0600

   February camp at Champfleuri is something I look forward to all year! This year, we were excited about the group we were bringing. Three fun, outgoing guys: PJ, 24, Ian, a high school senior, and Kolin, a high school junior. These guys are a lot of fun and we were so excited to get them to interact with the French kids. None of them spoke hardly any French but were willing to try, which is all that really matters!
   We had a few setbacks with our travel, but I'll spare you those details and get to the important stuff! Once we got to France, we hit the ground running. The church service at the International Church of Grenoble was so fun. I love sharing that place with friends from the States. We got right into picking kids up in downtown. It was vacation time in the Alps region so the whole country is coming into Grenoble to ski! The city was bustling and exactly the way we left it. It’s always amazing, for Dan and I, to return to France and find it much the same.
   This year, however, I noticed one major change. What I saw was LIFE in the youth. Many of the same students returned to camp but they seemed different. There was a joy in them that I hadn’t seen before. We came to find out that in January there had been a big youth rally called “Mad in France” that most of these kids went to and rededicated their lives to God. I always think how hard it must be to be only one of 2 or 3 Christians in your school, to not have a youth group close by. It’s events like camps and conferences that let these kids know they’re not alone. That’s what we focused on during this camp. How to keep going in your walk with God when you want to quit. PJ, Ian, and Kolin all shared their testimonies and each did a fantastic job. I think their stories were definitely relevant to what the French students are going through.
   Please continue to pray that these kids and young adults return to camp, that they wrestle with the things they learn there and that God is doing amazing things in them and through them. Pray that they stay strong in who they are and continue to discover who God wants them to be. Help them to stand out in a country where it’s safer to blend in. Looking forward to the next camp in February 2011!

Snow report: AMAZING!!! Some of the best skiing and boarding we've ever had at Les Sept Laux. There were few beginners so it was a fast-paced, action-packed trip.

--Lindsy Read

Summer 2009

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 14:22:23 -0600

This summer we had two college students attend the Champfleuri summer camp "TED" (Totally English Days) as leaders. Their enthusiasm is contagious as one shares her experiences from the trip.

"There's a French proverb that says, "Les voyages forment la jeunesse." Meaning that traveling shapes a young person. Traveling oversees, communicating through a language barrier and engaging another culture, is hard, rewarding and fulfilling. Camp TED this summer was memorable. Bryn and I, two students from Seattle Pacific University had the opportunity to work with 70 French and American campers. For two weeks, we enjoyed the sunny foothills of the Alps to the extreme! We swam in a crystal blue lake, hiked, camped in the mountains, kayaked, played a ton of sports, sang tons of songs, laughed and had a good time. In the mornings, we dispersed into smallgroups. I led an amazing smallgroup. My group had a Moroccan boy, German, Swedish, British, and American girls and last but not least, a French boy. The group brought all sorts of interesting biblical perspectives. It's amazing how much we can grow in Christ by our differences. This is why I love going on missions especially with French youth. French people are very intellectual and not afraid to ask questions. Then at night, the campers went to their rooms, and together with the counselors, we would chat about life. I really got to know the campers and I miss them so much, it hurts!"

submitted by Natalie

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We are eagerly looking forward to the 2010 camping season and have begun thinking of fundraising ideas to help American teens and leaders afford the cost of this short-term missions outreach program.

If you are interested in supporting a short-term missionary or becoming one yourself, contact us for more information.

Camp des Cimes, April 2009

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 13:10:49 -0600

Christian Snowsports Ministry

April 2009 Camp

Camp des Cimes, France

One of the effects of the economic downturn this year, was a smaller than normal camp at the annual "French/American Ski Camp" in France. We had only 8 French teens in attendance and no American teens from the states. But with a bunch of American leaders and a couple of American missionary kids who live in France, we were able to create the bi-lingual atmosphere we have had in the past.

Although the April 2009 camp was small in numbers, God was mighty in His power! He worked through the leaders each day, allowing us to present our unique message, yet working it all together as if we'd planned it that way! When the camp was over and we all met to talk about what they liked best, one of the things mentioned was this cohesiveness and how the messages all worked together so well. Truly God was working because none of us knew we were teaching before arriving at the camp and we were told we could teach on anything we wanted. So in His infinite wisdom, He led us each down the same path.

Several of the frequent campers, said that this was the best camp yet. Because of the small size, they really felt they got to know everyone quite well and were able to strengthen their faith by their associations with each other. One exciting element was to hear the French teens give their testimonies to the group. In several instances, they sounded just like their American counterparts, however, several of the teens talked about the destructiveness of having the wrong friends and involvement in drugs, alcohol abuse, depression, mental health issues and the beginnings of hope and a new life with new faith in God. We continue to pray for these kids and so many more like them in France.

Serving Him,

Carrie Calvin

Christian Snowsports Ministry

Champfleuri, February 2009

Mon, 02 Mar 2009 22:57:47 -0700

Champfleuri, February 2006

Thu, 31 Dec 1903 17:00:00 -0700

Christian Snowsports Ministry

February 2006

Champfleuri, France

Thanks to the hard working efforts of all the leaders and youth missionaries, we had a wonderful camp in France in February. There were 10 French youth and 3 American youth at the camp along with 4 American leaders and 4 French leaders. Several of the French kids were non-Christians, but were very open and curious about what they were hearing every day at the message time. They asked questions and shared very openly about their thoughts on God and heaven. We pray for them, that the Word they heard at camp will penetrate their hearts and souls and turn them toward faith in God.

All of the other French teens who came have very few Christian friends. One young man told me he had no Christian friends at all. The Americans tried very hard to connect with these kids and make friends so they can continue to have relationships even after the Americans return home. They did a fabulous job of communicating in broken French and English! I think they really enjoyed the challenge.

As a testimony to how hard they worked, several of the French kids are making plans to come stay with the American families here this summer. We have found this to be a common occurrence after camp! It is our belief that one of the benefits of these camps is to establish life long friendships across physical, cultural and language barriers. While France may not seem all that different than the US, in reality it is a world apart. There are so few Christian teens in France, that it is difficult to live a life of faith. It is a society that scorns a belief in God. So, what a wonderful opportunity we have to share our faith with these lonely Christians by inviting them here to be embraced by many more brothers and sisters.

We continue to be in contact with several French families whose teens we have made friends with at past camps and have subsequently come to the US to stay with us during the summer break. It has been a privilege to become friends with these families and they are as much a blessing to us as we are to them. It was with great joy that Larry and Carrie stayed on a few extra days after camp to fellowship with these families and to renew their friendships in person.

Not only are we encouraging the teenagers who come to the camps and their families, but we also have an impact on the missionaries who work there. They are thrilled that we would take the time and spend the money to come to help them in their work with God. Sometimes they feel so alone and isolated, working in a very unreceptive society. The prayers and financial gifts that have been given by all of you, that have been given to help so many of us attend these camps are invaluable and we thank you for your participation in encouraging these missionaries in France and helping them with their work.

We are so thankful for this opportunity to serve God and to be used by him.

In His service,

Carrie and Larry Calvin