Amanda Helfrich Archives - 91��Ƶ News

Summer’s a’comin’: Annual Camp Placement Day targets prospective staffers

Walt Wiltschek — Thu, 04 Feb 2016 16:42:32 +0000

With a virtual campfire flickering on a screen, camp songs ringing through the Campus Center at 91��Ƶ (91��Ƶ) and display tables from 27 camps circling the space, Camp Day returned this week.

Students met with representatives from 21 camps around the country.

“I always enjoy Camp Day just to reconnect with camps from around the country,” says 91��Ƶ senior Malachi Bontrager, an outdoor ministry and adventure leadership major. “Growing up as a camp kid, I have probably been to 60 percent of these camps, so there are a lot of familiar faces.”

Bontrager shared during the Camp Day chapel service about growing up at Camp Deerpark in southern New York, which brought urban kids from New York City to have experiences in nature, and his later gap year experience at a camp in Florida that offered similar, but longer-term, experiences.

“I fell in love with nature,” Bontrager says. “I think nature is the catalyst for educating young people to be successful. You just have to say, ‘Wow! This is awesome. This is God.’ ”

Doug Phillips ‘82, director of Brethren Woods camp and retreat center in nearby Keezletown, Virginia, says he has been coming to Camp Day since it began more than 30 years ago.

“It’s a good chance to connect and network with folks at other camps,” says Phillips, who majored in social work and minored in outdoor ministry at 91��Ƶ. “And we have always had at least one or two summer staff from here.”

Senior Malachi Bontrager, who has worked at two camps, leads worship during the annual Camp Day.

Phillips says his camp employed four 91��Ƶ students last summer, and he has hired one of them—senior Amanda Helfrich of Gettysburg, Ohio—as assistant program director following her graduation this spring.

Dean Williams, program director at Highland Retreat in Bergton, Virginia, says his camp program has had a steady pipeline to 91��Ƶ, too, but the way those connections happen has changed over the years.

“The biggest difference from when I first came to this day 21 years ago is that students used to come by based on your display. Now they check out the website beforehand, so we talk to fewer students, but a higher percentage of them end up on staff. The personal contact is what makes this significant.”

Williams says he typically has three to five “really good contacts” at the event. He also holds a pizza party after the formal schedule is done, encouraging former staff to invite their friends.

“It’s your staff who are on campus here who are your best recruiters,” Williams says. “I have had very few experiences where staff have steered me the wrong way.”

, chair of 91��Ƶ’s department, has noticed the changing trends, too. Most students who work at the camps come from a variety of majors, not just outdoor ministry or physical education.

Brownscombe, who has taught at 91��Ƶ since 1978, says Camp Day, which is co-hosted with the , will continue.

“It’s a really exciting event, and we’ll keep it going,” Brownscombe says. “The camps appreciate the quality of students they get when they come to 91��Ƶ, and as you look around many of the directors are 91��Ƶ alumni. We have a commitment to all the camps, and it’s an important role we share.”

In addition, students in two classes —“Recreation and Sport and Modern Society ” and “Introduction to Youth Ministry” —attended the event. , who work with to minister to students in the residence halls, also attended a special session.

Prayer, discussion, fellowship, fun: weekly Worship Nights benefit from leadership of pastoral, ministry assistants

Pamela Hoffeditz — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 17:24:55 +0000

Making s’mores over a campfire, going out for milkshakes, praying for each other, reading scripture, or conversing about the complexities of life: students in 91��Ƶ’s residence halls are often ministering in relationship.

These relationships are formalized in Worship Nights, a weekly event in each of the residence halls on campus. The four groups meet on different nights of the week, depending on the schedules of the student leaders. And activities vary: On Tuesday nights in Cedarwood, the gatherings alternate between a study of 1 Peter and a prayer time.

Maplewood’s Worship Nights are Thursdays at 7:17 p.m., a “strange time,” according to pastoral assistant Amanda Helfrich, “but hopefully people remember.” From left: Bekah Mongold, Madalynn Payne, Amanda Helfrich and ministry assistant Da’Jahnea Robinson.

While Worship Nights have been a part of for several years, undergraduate campus pastor has made significant changes to the program’s focus and foundation. In previous years, residents in the halls alternated the planning of events for the others.

Worship Nights are now “focusing on creating and entering into relationship and intentional conversation,” according to Miller. The goal for student leaders is to respond to the group who comes.

Ministry assistants and pastoral assistants

Now within each residence hall, called Ministry Assistants (MAs), plan programs for and with their fellow residents, Miller says. They are also enrolled in a ministry exploration class led by Miller, which asks “how are you listening to God, to each other, and to yourself.”

This year’s MAs are

Elmwood: Sarah Boshart, Sarah Jennings, Luis Longo;
Maplewood: Heyrin (Lynn) Cha, Da’Jahnea Robinson;
Cedarwood: Megan Bishop, Perry Blosser, Seungkyoo (Peter) Han, Jessica Longenecker, Taylor Mirarchi;
Northlawn: Jasmine Miller, Alexa Weeks, Megan Weaver, Oksana Kittrell, Anel Molina.

These students are mentored in their responsibilities by Pastoral Assistants, who are paid for their time. PAs include:

Elmwood pastoral assistant Nathanael Ressler makes a point during discussion. To his left is ministry assistant Heyrin (Lynn) Cha.

Elmwood: Courtney Unruh and Jonathan Augsberger;
Maplewood: Nathanael Ressler and Amanda Helfrich;
Cedarwood: Rebekah York and Wes Wilder;
Northlawn: Jolee Paden.

Miller sees this new focus as forming leaders “who then help others.” The team approach “strengthens the core so that leaders are well- equipped to reach out with genuine care rather than an agenda,” according to Miller.

It also keeps student leaders from becoming discouraged if an event isn’t well attended. In the past, student leaders sometimes became “defeated and depleted if they worked hard planning something and then few people came,” Miller said. The new emphasis on relational leadership and intentional conversation “takes off the pressure to perform.”

New approach brings students together

Pastoral assistant Rebekah York, a senior major, also sees the benefits of the new approach: York, who shares PA duties with Wes Wilder in Cedarwood residence hall, says she’s noticed many changes over the past two years, and is energized by the new structure. “My crazy ideas are supported and I have people behind me, encouraging me to keep going. That makes the world of difference.”

One of York’s “crazy” ideas was to have a Bible study studying the connection between the gospel and justice (the events are called Jesus + Justice = “Jestice”) with students and faculty. Though it’s not going “exactly as planned,” York is confident because of the encouragement she receives from Miller, and because she is “given a space and time to see if [her ideas] could work.”

York also appreciates the relationships she’s developed with first-year and sophomore students. “We are much more involved in the spiritual lives of the underclassmen and I’ve been able to connect with people I would not normally have had any contact with,” she said. I think it is really important for the upperclassmen to be involved with the underclassmen. I loved the upperclassmen who took an interest in me and my life, and were willing to let me ask difficult questions.”

Miller says this new approach is being evaluated, with the idea that changes can be made to respond to new creative possibilities in guiding student leaders in campus ministry.

91��Ƶ Explore Club Paddles Amidst Rain on the Shenandoah

Thu, 18 Sep 2014 20:35:02 +0000

This article was published in the 91��Ƶ WeatherVane, a student newspaper.

91��Ƶ provides many opportunities for students to have fun on the weekends.

For those who are adventurous and creative, the Shenandoah Valley holds a number of often over-looked opportunities to experience nature up-close and personal.

A group of 91��Ƶ students did just that and braved a cloudy and misty morning to take advantage of a wonderful opportunity to go canoeing on the Shenandoah River Saturday.

The adventurers drove about 30 minutes to Elkton, Va., and then spent around four hours on the river with professor and outdoor adventurer, Lester Zook.

They experienced challenges and learned how to navigate through rapids, and how to recognize flow patterns throughout the river.

Although the day started out rainy and damp, the sun came out and the participants all enjoyed the canoe trip. They were able to see some of the local wildlife, learn about canoeing, and enjoy the change of pace in nature.

Junior Amanda Helfrich went on the trip and felt pleased about the result of the trip.

Helfrich, 91��Ƶ Explore’s president, said, “Our group was smaller, so we got the chance to learn new paddling techniques. And even though there was a variety of experience, everyone seemed to have a great time.”

The mood was cheerful and exciting throughout the day, as the participants were given a chance to have fun while learning in a hands-on environment.

These students were able to participate in this activity through 91��Ƶ Explore, a club devoted to helping 91��Ƶ students explore nature through a number of different activities such as hiking, rock climbing, caving, mountain biking, and canoeing.

Helfrich says the club is, “a great way to get outside and have fun in a healthy and safe way, and we lead a variety of trips that cater to many different interests and difficulty levels.”

Students are able to sign up for trips and experience these opportunities to learn more about nature in the Harrisonburg area.

“Students get to explore a part of the Shenandoah Valley that they may never have seen before…from caving to hiking to a 360 degree view of the valley,” said Helfrich.

Helfrich likes that students who would not usually be drawn together can come and interact through a shared love of nature.

Helfrich says, “I really enjoy how Explore trips bring different people from the 91��Ƶ community together in a way that isn’t necessarily achieved through class.”

91��Ƶ Explore offers opportunities for students to experience the natural world surrounding 91��Ƶ’s campus.

“I hope for future trips we can continue to offer fun—and free!—ways to explore the beautiful land around us and get to know more of the student body through shared interests.”

91��Ƶ Explore provides a chance to combine both of these interests into activities scattered throughout the year.

There are plenty of opportunities to adventure through the Shenandoah Valley that has offered 91��Ƶ students an opportunity for fun and excitement for the past hundred years. 91��Ƶ Explore gives this year’s students a chance to take advantage of this wonderful resource.

Malachi Bontrager, Opinion Editor

91��Ƶ “Honors” 53 Incoming Students

Mike Zucconi — Fri, 11 May 2012 13:58:24 +0000

91��Ƶ (91��Ƶ) will welcome in 53 incoming students to the honors program, the largest class in the program’s history.

In addition, two incoming students, Hannah Chappell-Dick, a senior at Bluffton High School in Bluffton, Ohio, and Charlie Good, a senior at Warwick High School in Lititz, Pa., were recognized as Yoder Scholars, the highest academic award an incoming student can receive.

“I’m very excited about the number and caliber of students who applied this year,” said Mark Sawin, program director and chair of history at 91��Ƶ. “Hannah and Charlie are both wonderfully creative and curious people with wide-ranging interests and strong leadership abilities. I’m grateful they’ve decided to join us as next year’s Yoder Scholars.”

Honors student candidates are evaluated on academic performance, community and extra-curricular involvement, creativity, clarity of thought and leadership potential. In addition to being in the honors program, candidates submit a portfolio of their high school achievements, write a series of essays and meet with a member of the honors faculty for a one-on-one interview.

“The interaction with faculty mentors and each other in a variety of settings provides an opportunity for highly motivated scholars to develop as thinkers and wrestle with big questions,” says Sawin, a 2008-09 Fulbright Scholar at University of Zagreb in Croatia.

Chappell-Dick is an incoming biochemistry major while Good plans to major in chemistry.

The students accepted into the honors program are:

Alex Bender from Sarasota, Fla., Pine View School

Malachi Bontrager from Westbrookville, N.Y., Iowa Mennonite School

Rachel Bowman from Archbold, Ohio, Archbold High School

Kristoffer Broadley from Wichita, Kan., homeschooled

Anne Brothers from Rockville, Md., Montgomery Blair High School

Ashley Cox from Mountville, Pa., Hempfield High School

Melissa Cox from Mountville, Pa., Hempfield High School

Patty Danaher from South Chesterfield, Va., Matoaca High School

Isaac Driver from Harrisonburg, Va., Eastern Mennonite High School

Amy Feeser from Lancaster, Pa., Penn Manor High School

Rehana Franklin from Modesto, Calif., Modesto High School

Derek Harnish from Strasburg, Pa., Lampeter-Strasburg High School

Kate Harrold from Millersville, Pa., Penn Manor High School

Amanda Helfrich from Bradford, Ohio, Greenville Senior High School

Caitlin Holsapple from Harrisonburg, Va., Eastern Mennonite High School

Melissa Jantzi from Albany, Ore., Eastern Mennonite High School

Brianna Kauffman from Harleysville, Pa., Christopher Dock Mennonite High School

Andrea King from Lititz Pa., Warwick High School

Kari King from Harrisonburg, Va., Harrisonburg High School

Sierra Kiser from Stuarts Draft, Va., Stuarts Draft High School

Jaclyn Kratz from Telford, Pa., Christopher Dock Mennonite High School

Rachelle Kratz from Telford, Pa., Christopher Dock Mennonite High School

Brooke Lacock from Paradise, Pa., Pequea Valley High School

Olivia Mast from Lancaster, Pa., Lancaster Mennonite School

Katie Miller from San Antonio, Tex., Louis D. Brandeis High School

Maddie Miller from Wellman, Ia., Iowa Mennonite School

Elise Mitchell from Elkhart, Ind., Elkhart Central High School

Erin Nafziger from Archbold, Ohio, Archbold High School

Jolee Paden from Saint Joseph, Ill., St. Joseph-Ogden High School

Aaron Patterson from Midlothian, Va., homeschooled

Alicia Poplett from Plymouth, Minn., Wayzata Senior High School

Emilie Raber from Dalton, Ohio, Central Christian High School

Jesse Reist from Lancaster, Pa., JP McCaskey High School East

Jess Rheinheimer from Manheim, Pa., Lancaster Mennonite School

John David Satriale from Gap, Pa., Lancaster Mennonite School

Lauren Sauder from Smoketown, Pa., Lancaster Mennonite School

Michelle Sauder from Linville, Va., Eastern Mennonite High School

Carissa Sherer from Joy, Pa., Donegal High School

Kritika Shrestha from Germantown, Md., Clarksburg High School

Rachel Springer from Minier, Ill., Olympia High School

Seth Stauffer from Lebanon, Pa., Northern Lebanon Jr-Sr High School

Sarah Sutter from Urbana, Ill., University Laboratory High School

Kate Swartz from Spring City, Pa., Christopher Dock Mennonite High School

Sam Swartzendruber from Kalona, Ia., Iowa Mennonite School

Ryan Swartzendruber from Sellersville, Pa., Christopher Dock Mennonite High School

Stephanie Toth from Lake Milton, Ohio, Cardinal Mooney High School

Aaron Wile from Telford, Pa., Christopher Dock Mennonite High School

Alena Yoder from Elkhart, Ind., Bethany Christian High School

Kegan Yoder from Plaine City, Ohio, Jonathan Alder High School

Amanda Helfrich Archives - 91����Ƶ News