Students, leaders share experiences from week at Sierra Nevada camp
Immersed in class bonding activities and wilderness trails for a week, the class of 2024 returns from Calvin Crest with an expanded knowledge of God and of the natural world, Sept. 9-13. From Crazy Hair Night to Loggers Jamboree, students participated in activities and challenges that spurred class unity.
FC eighth grade students have been venturing up to Calvin Crest in the Sierra Nevadas near Bass Lake for over 30 years. Under the leadership of teachers Hallie Rojeski and Terry Richards, the annual camp traditions and stories have endured.
With Richards out of school due to illness and Rojeski retiring at the end of the school year, the program looks to a new generation of teachers to continue the legacy left by both instructors.
Abiding by Calvin Crest’s mission to “make disciples of Jesus Christ, practice biblical hospitality, invite people to experience and know God’s creation and partner with peacemakers to bring health and wholeness”, students experience a week of activities intertwined with scripture and worship. As students participated in outdoor education, challenged each other in relay races and competed for a spot on the camp trophy, they learned the value of their words and actions.
Learns patience from students
Hallie Rojeski, US history and Bible teacher
September 18, 2019
“I have gained an appreciation for the value of outdoor education and for what is available for kids out there. I think it is exciting that so many public schools are doing it because what a wonderful opportunity for kids to get out of Fresno and be up in the mountains and learn all kinds of things that they might not have a chance to do. I have learned patience and to take myself less seriously at times. I knew they could do more than they think they can and to watch their excitement they get when they accomplish something. Watching them worship is really powerful.”
Deeper understanding of God and creation
Jenna Obwald, ‘24
September 17, 2019
“My favorite part of Calvin Crest was learning about nature and bonding with my cabin and cabin leader. I learned a lot more about nature which helped my deeper understanding of God’s love for us and his creation.
I appreciated how honest they were and it really helps us connect with them and learn more and get a deeper understanding of what they were saying. I think bonding with the kids in my classes was important because it will help with our friendship throughout the year and really bond our class together for years to come.”
Bonded with students, cabin leaders
Lindsay Weimer, ‘20
Sept. 15, 2019
“My first and last year being a counselor at Calvin Crest was a memorable and fun experience. I honestly didn’t know what to be expecting going into the week and I was a little nervous. As the week went on I got to know the girls in my cabin better and was able to pour into them just like my cabin leader from eighth grade do for me. Along with bonding with this year’s eighth grade class, I got closer with my fellow cabin leaders and a lot of new memories were made. Going on hikes and learning new things alongside the kids was awesome! This opportunity was awesome and I’m so glad that I was able to go and be an influence in the campers lives!”
Values class bonding experience
Tatum Auwae, ‘24
Sept. 21, 2019
“The best part of Calvin Crest was quiz night and all of the dancing. One of the things I learned was probably team work and working together. What I appreciated about the speakers is the topics they spoke about every night. I think class bonding is important because it creates unity with the students and teaches them how to work together.”
Encourages next class to enjoy themselves
Andres Fierro, ‘24
Sept. 19, 2019
“My favorite part of the Calvin Crest trip were the activities because they were fun and I enjoyed doing them with my friends. I am going to remember the last chapel the most from the trip. I would tell the next class to have fun and try to enjoy themselves, it is actually better than you might think.”
In the following podcast, Andrew Rieker interviewed Rojeski about her experiences at Calvin Crest.
Grew close to cabin group, eighth grade class
Kayla Vanderlinden, ‘20
Sept. 15, 2019
“This was also my first year as a Calvin Crest counselor. I was super excited to be a leader and role model for the girls in my cabin, and it turned out to be one for the books. I had a lot of new people in my cabin so it was fun to see them grow and make friends as the week went on. I laughed a lot, and grew close to not only the girls in my cabin, but also to that whole eighth grade class. It was amazing to see their fun spirits as we went on the hikes, and even them cheering on us counselors during skit night. I loved the opportunity I had this past week, and I am sad I will not be able to do it again next year, but it is a great program, and I can’t wait to hear all about it.”
Appreciated chapel discussions
Chris Mericle, ‘24
Sept. 17, 2019
“My favorite part of Calvin Crest was thanking Mrs. Rojeski for being a great teacher to everyone. Also, I liked our gender separate chapels, where we talked about staying sexually pure to God. I learned that the Miwok Indians used to live up in Oakhurst by Calvin Crest, and that their main meat source for food was dear.
I appreciated that all of the speakers preached the truth of God and talked about topics that all the students can relate to. I think that class bonding is important because nobody can do anything without someone to help them out. Also through Calvin Crest I got to make new friends that I didn’t know would be my friends.”
Related to evening discussions
Braelyn Riffel, ‘24
Sept. 20, 2019
“My favorite part of Calvin Crest was the skit night and game show night. I thought it was really cool how the speakers used examples when they were speaking. It made the talks more relatable. I’m glad we were able to go up to camp because we learned more about each other and it’s super fun to bond with each other in a different environment.”
Grateful for final camp experience
Deborah Ingerson, ‘20
Sept. 15, 2019
“This was my second year being a Calvin Crest counselor. I remember how much fun it was the first year so, I wasn’t as nervous this year. My favorite part is being able to shine Christ’s light to the eighth grade girls. I loved seeing the girls get closer and open up to not only me, but also to the other girls.
From the educating hikes to the night time talks with my girls, it was an amazing week. Although it was quite tiring, I still had the time of my life reaching out to the eighth grade girls. Everyone’s favorite night was Quiz Show Night. This was the last night and it allowed everyone to have fun dancing, cheering, and being competitive. I’m glad I was able to be a counselor for two years and I’m very grateful that I could spend this last year with Mrs. Rojeski and last year with Mr. Richards last year.”
Felt unity within the class
Sanjay Stephen
Sept. 22, 2019
“My favorite part of the trip were the chapels after dinner because we learned a lot about God and the speakers were very good. The messages were very inspirational and I learned that we have to stay pure to God until marriage because that’s what he wants us to do. I also learned about God’s nature and all the things he has created.
We all got to know each other and became more united as a class through this experience. It is important because we got to know more about each other and if anyone is ever having a hard day we can come together and talk and be there for each other. It is important so that everyone has a friend and someone they can be close with.”
Looks forward to next year
Hannah Villines, ‘21
Sept. 16, 2019
“This was my first year being a Calvin Crest counselor. The experience was completely different than what I was expecting, but in the best way possible. I was a little nervous that I was not going to be able to answer all of the questions that the girls in my cabin would have but leading up to camp I prayed that God would speak through me, and he definitely did.
Everybody had a blast on the last night which was crazy hair night and the quiz/dance show. Not meaning to brag or anything but my cabin won… no big deal. I’m so glad that I was able to have the opportunity to grow and bond with my fellow counselors and with all six of the girls in my cabin. I hope to be able to get the chance to go again next year!”
Impacted others through actions, words
Paige Deffenbacher, ‘24
Sept. 17, 2019
“My favorite parts of camp were worshiping together and quiz night; the dance parties were awesome! Even if we are in a season of peace, there is someone that you can impact by the way you talk to them, act around them, and love them. I think class bonding is important because if we don’t bond, we’re just a group of kids. When we are actually friends and enjoy being together, we can change the dynamics of our school.”
Observed new side of teachers, leaders
Caleb Mynderup, ‘24
Sept. 20, 2019
“My favorite part of camp was skit night and getting to dress up our leaders during creative creatures night. I loved hearing the testimonies of the speakers because I had never heard them before. It was cool to see another side of our teachers. I think class bonding is important because we grow closer as a class. To next year’s campers, have fun and get creative!”
Witnessed growth in students
Blake Deffenbacher, ‘20
Sept. 16, 2019
“Having gone to Calvin Crest as an eighth grader, I was thrilled for the opportunity to be able to return as a counselor, especially considering that it’s my senior year. Going into the week, I had an expectation that I would have a great time, but that the discipline and management of a cabin would restrain me from fully enjoying my time there.
However, this wasn’t the case at all because of the great students that I got to spend time with. It was an incredible experience being able to pour out into these kids and see them mature and grow closer to one another in just one short week. I hardly knew this eighth grade class going into the week, but now, I’m happy to say that these kids are some of my favorite people to spend time with.
I’m thankful for this opportunity I was given to step up and lead this group, and I hope that the connections and friendships I made at camp will last longer than just the week up there.”
Enjoyed speakers’ practical examples
Gabby Hutcheson, ‘24
Sept. 19, 2019
“My favorite part of Calvin Crest was hanging out with my friends and getting to know my cabin counselor. I liked listening to the speaker and I loved it when they gave us practical examples of how to live it out. I learned a lot about being pure and the importance of purity in our every day lives. I think that class bonding experiences are so important because you get closer as a class.”
Managed more students, grew from experience
Andrew Rieker, ‘21
Sept. 19, 2019
“This was my second year going to Calvin Crest as a counselor and this was my third year going to Calvin Crest for eighth grade camp. Going into it I was surprisingly calm. I would not know the campers bestowed upon me for that week until getting up to the camp. Being my second year as a counselor I had a few experiences under my belt, I still felt slightly nervous, unsure if what I would see this year.
My cabin last year was a group of five boys. They were absolutely no problem and my cabin had a great time. I knew that my cabin size would increase this year from five to seven and I was not sure what to expect. However, like last year, these boys were as good as the previous year and we got along great. One of the things I learned this year that I felt was different from the previous year was how to manage more students.“
For another Join the Discussion, read Join the Discussion: 95th Annual CSPA Spring Convention. For another article, read Karoline Sandberg pursues music, adjusts to US.
Addison Schultz can be reached via email and via Twitter.