05.13.13
The summer is upon us once again! We are very excited about this summer’s OLD School courses. We have a lot of groups returning for a course again this year, and a bunch coming to try OLD School for the first time. This summer we have more people than ever opting for our new 1 week backpacking trip where students will discover multiple waterfalls and hit some of the highest peaks in North Carolina. This summer we are working through part of the book of Romans. Our focus will be on Christ’s call in our lives, His work to rescue and justify us, and our response to His great work in our life. We have 6 guys and girls serving as course instructors on OLD School trips this summer: Shelby Frates is currently serving as an intern at SWO, and will be serving for her 3rd summer this year. She is a graduate of the OLD School Semester Program from 2010, and is serving this coming Fall as one of our semester proctors. Taylor Simmons is also one of our interns at SWO, and will be serving for her 4th summer this year. Taylor has a great heart and desire to disciple girls by building lasting relationships with them on OLD School this summer. Josh Martin is one of our guy interns at SWO and will be serving for his 2nd summer this year. Josh is a graduate of the OLD School Semester Program from way back in 2007, and is serving with Shelby this fall as a proctor for our semester this Fall. Nate Branson is a teacher near Greensboro, NC and is coming to help with OLD School trips this summer. He served on summer staff from 2004-07 and is returning to disciple students with OLD School this summer. Evan and Hannah Ethridge will be serving for their 2nd summer this year and they both have a heart to disciple students and be an example for godly marriage to students. They were married this Winter and are excited to serve together on trips this summer. Please pray for these instructors and the students they will build relationships with this summer. We know that the Gospel does not fail and it is our prayer that the work that is done this summer will serve the church and the Gospel both locally and globally.
- Harry
04.06.13
The SWO bike crew has 7 mountain bikes for sale… Each has been primarily used in our summer camp program and maintained by our mountain bike staff. SWO generally rotates bikes out after 2 summers of use and then orders brand new ones, but these are still in great shape. Here is a list below of what we have available, but contact John Ragon at john@swoutfitters.com if you would like more info.
2010 Specialized P.1 All-Mountain (rim brakes) – $275
2 – small, red/black checkered (15″ frame)
2 – medium, gray/black checkered (17″ frame)
1 – large, red/black checkered (19″ frame)
2011 Specialized Hardrock Sport
1 – small, red/black/white (15″ frame) – $300
Haro Shift 3 full suspension – $400
1 – extra-large, (21″ frame)
03.28.13
New life.
This week, as the country debates back and forth this about marriage, guns and budgets, it’s easy to lose perspective. It’s Easter week. This is the week, a couple thousand years ago, that our lives were purchased by innocent blood. This is the week the Son of Man laid down his life. This is the week he took it back up again.
For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. - Rom.5:10
New life.
We are made new in Christ. We who were enemies are now adopted as Sons. So don’t spend this week solely embroiled in political debate. Don’t revel in cheap chocolates and bunnies. Eat the bread, drink the wine, and remember. Tell your family this week of the great rescue. Tell of the King who became a man, who submitted to death, who rose again. Tell of new life.
The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost. - Lk.19:10
03.05.13
Shelby Frates graduated from the OLD School Semester program in 2010. Since that time, she’s been serving at SWO, first as a summer staff member and now as a full-time intern. Here are some thoughts from Shelby on leading OLD School Summer Trips…
“In summer 2012, I had the opportunity to co-lead an all-girls OLD School Summer week, as well as a coed week. For the summer of 2013, I am looking forward to leading several OLD School weeks. The OLD School week-long program offers a great alternative for students who have come to camp for years and desire something a little different. Being out in the woods away from the craziness of camp has so many benefits both for myself as a staffer and for the students as well. Last summer it was very refreshing to be able to get out of the “routine” of camp schedule for a couple weeks and do something completely different. Since my OLD School semester in 2010, I love the outdoors. For me, being in the woods is one of the best places to get away from distractions and be able to completely focus on the Lord while enjoying and praising him for his beautiful creation.
This opportunity is great for students as well—specifically older students who are actively seeking relationship with Jesus. It is a completely different experience than a regular week of camp. The teaching sessions are much more personal and allow for more discussion. Within the small group, the students can feel comfortable to ask questions and offer their ideas. One of the most valuable aspects is in the fact that you are with your students the entire time: cooking meals, hiking, canoeing, rafting, biking, setting up camp, hanging around the fire. This creates a natural and very fast-paced opportunity to build solid relationships together.
I am so thankful that we offer this program and love being a part of it. I’m also exciting to see the growth and change to come.” – Shelby
02.05.13
Hey guys! It’s that time of year again! The 2013 Semester Applications are now available! Check out our “courses” page for the new 2013 Application and Info Packet.
We’ve had a lot of folks asking for our application this season, so be sure to fill it out asap and send it in!
We are in the process of totally changing over how we offer college credit. These plans will all be in place for this coming Fall. We have, in the past, been offering credits through two avenues:
- 12 hours through the Baptist College of Florida
- 4 hours through our Wilderness First Responder course, using Southwestern CC of North Carolina and Sterling College of Vermont.
We have been working hard all year, and as a result, we are now going to be offering credits through a partnership with a school other than the Baptist College of Florida. We will no longer be offering credits from BCF. We will, however, still be offering the 4 credits for the WFR course, and will likely, by the Fall, be unveiling our super-exciting new partnership for credits! We are in the final stages of this changeover, however, and cannot yet give all of the details. Please keep checking our site. As soon as we have details on this, we’ll post them ASAP. We know that we have many people eagerly waiting to hear word on these credits.
If you are applying for the OLD School Semester, and would like to receive college credits, please contact Spencer – spencer@swoutfitters.com .
The first step for any prospective student, whether applying for credit or not, is to download, fill out, turn in the application, and get accepted. So get to it! We’re excited for this Fall. We are praying that lives will be changed, and as a result, that Christ would be sending out solid disciple-makers into the American church as well as the unreached world.
