Training Begins

Beyond Malibu’s returning guide class has had seven months since they left the inlet last August.  They parted ways; some went back to a place they call “home,” others back to school, others embarked on a new journey by moving to Seattle to pursue an adventure, moving to Oregon to serve at a church, or heading to Germany to study.  Some of the guides reflected on their year and how it prepared them for the summer:

• “Spiritually I have grown a lot in scripture and prayer and by seeing God move in mighty ways each day.  I have felt so blessed to be a part of the lives of students here in TN.  I have seen so much growth in so many places and seen God show up.  I feel more ready spiritually to lead with confidence." 
  - Annika Lider

• “Planning the Bible studies, and using some of them with the Campaigners group I've helped lead has been very useful. I think also having extra time (due to being involved in less) and time to pray about and process the summer, but also learn more about who I am and want to be has been very beneficial.
  - Marshall Potter

• “This year has prepared me in ways I cannot quite understand just yet.  I have grown spiritually and feel more confident in leading content.  I feel that with my jobs this past year, I can really step into leadership for this summer.  God's timing seems to make perfect sense here.  I am looking forward to what this year has done for me, and what an impact it will make on my summer.
  - Justine Post

• “I have prepared for the summer by studying scripture (Romans) and reading lots of CS Lewis; leading a Bible study and staying connected with some high-schoolers from last summer's beyond trips; being pushed harder physically than I ever have; doing ankle rehab; and living in a house with seven girls.”
  - Rachel Longton

This weekend they will come back together to reunite and begin to dream together about their vision for the summer.  Join us in prayer for the returning guides and all the new guides as we come together to begin the 2010 training season!

How to Fill a Beyond Trip: A 12 Step Program

Its game time.  You are just a few short months from the mountain.  We got this today from a leader who has brought a bunch of trips in past years.  12 great ideas for filling your upcoming trip. 

1. Pray!

2. Get in the zone: Lace up your hiking boots, slide into some poly-pro, put on your backpack and start drinking from a Nalgene.

3. Get information: Call the Beyond Malibu office (206-525-0791). They will set you up with anything you need and answer all your questions. [Booking info]

4. Brainstorm: Make a list of the kids you want to invite; have a couple kids help with the list.

5. Involve your kids: Think of some kids who you can encourage to reach out to their friends. Read Mark 2:1-12 with them, and explain that they are the mat carriers; ask who they want to carry – aka: invite on the trip, and help them come up with a plan to do that.

6. Promote: Make a Facebook event and post some SICK pictures! (Contact the Beyond office if you need some sick pics).

7. Go Big - Email and call parents:  They usually have huge influence over the decision-making in this process. Help them to see the benefits of this trip and ease their fears.

8. Inform: Host a meeting for kids and their parents. Bedazzle the meeting with food, some fist pumps, a Wooot wooot (or another enthusiastic phrase), a short slide show, and a story. Also, give specific information about the trip: dates, itinerary, cost, etc.

9. Connect: Call the Beyond office and ask if a Beyond Guide can come to your meeting and share; this is a great way for the kids to get excited and feel connected to the program.

10. Create some urgency: Set a deadline for a $100 deposit so that you know you have commitment from the kids and their parents. Offer a gift (such as a Nalgene, a pair of wool socks, or a sticker) for everyone that gets their money in within the first week.

11. Take a hike: Invite kids from your list to go on a hike, and after you have an incredible day, pitch Beyond Malibu.

12. Pray again!: This trip has the potential to change your kids' lives. It can't be missed!

Water Taxi Fundraising - Join in!

Join us in a grassroots cause: Beyond Malibu needs to buy a water taxi to transport our participants and staff. I would like to challenge you to consider donating $100 dollars toward this water taxi purchase. If each friend donated $100 ($10 a month) we would raise over $50,000 towards the purchase price of this vessel. Follow this link for more information and to donate.

Why a Water Taxi?

Canadian Maritime regulations require Beyond Malibu to transport hiking trips in groups of 12 or less to and from trailheads. The size and speed of a water taxi makes it the ideal vehicle to deliver trips around the inlet both safely and efficiently.

Currently Beyond shares a water taxi with Malibu Club. Schedule restrictions and increased transportation demands in both camps make water travel a limiting factor in providing a professional and quality experience to participants. This vessel will be used to address all of Beyond's transportation needs and also be available to supplement Malibu's growing need.

Please prayerfully consider partnering with us to continue provide a quality Beyond experience for years to come.

The Adventures of Eight Women

I heard about Beyond from a friend.  My sister and I have been doing adventure holidays for awhile now, and this looked like an adventure we really wanted to experience.  So we worked at trying to get a group together.  Unfortunately it wasn't going too well, but with the creative assistance from Beyond, we managed to add three women from Minnesota to our group bring us to 6.  With the guides we had 8 and were good to go.

I loved the times of sharing, because we were an all women group, the intimacy was great.  Everyone felt good opening up and maybe sharing some details about themselves that they had never shared before. 

I really felt the accomplishment when we reached the peak.  It was incredible!  The time of prayer looking out at the mountains surrounding us was breathtaking!  For me personally the trip was a great opportunity and accomplishment as I had just recently had surgery for cancer and had just finished my radiation treatments just before leaving for the hike.  I had wondered if I would be able to do the hike, would I be strong enough?  I had seen some women who were not doing so good during their treatments.  But God blessed me richly, I am cured and blessed to have been able to participate in this incredible hike with my sister and niece and get to know some new friends from Minnesota as well as our guides.  Friends not only for that season, but to enjoy as friends going into the future. 

I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to participate and experience this hike for myself, my sister and I felt like this could be our Everest, and it lived up to our expectations and exceeded it in ways we never thought to imagine. 

Thanks to all of you that work in this incredible ministry, it was such a blessing to us!

Madelaine Snell
Beyond Malibu Trip 2009