When Elizabeth Hoover, who is a youth center director with The Factory Ministries along with Micah Lehman, talks about taking students who participate in open door nights at the ministry to Camp Orchard Hill, you can hear the excitement in her voice. "It was a really powerful weekend chatting with them ... encouraging and praying for them," said Hoover, who noted the group that visited the camp from March 3 through 5 included 58 students and 12 leaders. "We had quite the crew," she added.

According to Hoover, the theme this year was "Through the Fire." "That (resonated) with a lot of the kids," reported Hoover, who noted, "We were able to (ask), 'What are the fires you're walking through right now? What are the struggles and trials you're facing?'" Hoover said that theme gave students the opportunity to share trials they are dealing with during small group time, where leaders could assure them that God is by their sides and walking through the fire with them.

Camp Orchard Hill, located in Dallas, Pa., offers a Winter Blast Camp each year that provides a variety of activities designed for teenagers to enjoy. Among these are basketball, volleyball, glow 9 Square in the Air, and challenges such as stacking decks of cards. A highlight of this year's camp was snow tubing and building snowmen. "There was snow Friday evening," recalled Hoover. "A lot of our teens would say the tubing and sledding were their favorite activities." Because students are kept busy with planned activities, the leaders have the opportunity to focus on relationship building. "We have conversations while the camp plans everything, and that's such a gift to us," said Hoover. The speaker for the weekend was Josh Ott, and Kevi Morse was the rapper. "The kids loved him," said Hoover. "He shared very personal songs based on his experiences."

Hoover shared a number of quotes from participants. "I learned about growing closer to God and connecting with the leaders," said one attendee. Another student said, "I learned that God is there no matter what and can connect people to one another in a short amount of time." A third said, "I learned that God will be with me no matter how severe the circumstances," and another noted. "I learned that no matter how far I stray from God, there's still a place for me in His heart."

The cost to send a student to Winter Blast is $155. Hoover said she was grateful to know that the trip was fully funded before the group left for Camp Orchard Hill. "We are so thankful for everyone coming together and believing in what could happen on a weekend like this," said Hoover, who noted that Winter Blast gives students a chance to "disconnect from their day-to-day life and experience a weekend they won't soon forget." "It's really cool because these memories made (in a few days) will continue for years," she said.

The Factory Youth Center is part of The Factory Ministries, located at 3293 Lincoln Highway East, Paradise. Open door nights for students in seventh through 12th grades are held each Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. More information about the youth center may be found at http://www.thefactoryministries.com. Readers who have specific questions may email micah@thefactoryministries.com.