About Event
Join us for ASCEND 2025 as we take to the mountains of Colorado for a week of hiking, camping, praise, fellowship, and that mountaintop experience. Open to all students having completed the 9th grade through graduating seniors. No experience required; gear provided.
Travel with us to Twin Lakes, CO for a week in the mountains with Team ASCEND. We will trek the backcountry of Colorado, sleeping under the stars, summitting a 14-er, and pursuing a deeper relationship with God, ourselves, and each other as we go.
Open to students who have completed the 9th grade (as of May 2025).
This is a true backcountry experience, which means no access to electricity, running water, etc. once we leave base camp. No experience is required, but this will be physically and mentally taxing. TEAM Ascend will provide gear such as backpacks, sleeping bags, tents, etc. for anyone who does not have their own. Participants need to provide their own appropriate hiking footwear.
VERY general schedule:
- We will be leaving on the morning of Friday, July 18th, and traveling all day to arrive in Eastern Colorado that evening.
- Saturday will be an additional travel day, with our group arriving at TEAM Ascend base camp that afternoon.
- Sunday, will include worship, logistics, a rappel, and the beginning of the trek.
- Monday – Thursday will be time on trail, including hiking, evening devotionals, summitting, and more.
- Thursday, we will return to base camp in the afternoon, debrief, load vans and begin our travel back to Dickson.
- Friday is intended to be a full day of travel in order for us to arrive back in Dickson late Friday night. Dependent upon any unforeseen factors, there is always chance we may need to stay an extra night on the road and return midday Saturday (though this is not expected).
All meals will be provided once we reach TEAM Ascend base camp. Students will need money for fast food stops on travel days.
There will be expectations in preparation for this experience in order to keep everyone safe and healthy. We will be backpacking at altitude, which brings unique factors to consider. Physical fitness plays into one’s ability to successfully complete this journey, and to do so with comfort and minimization of experiencing altitude sickness. We will be hosting hikes and workouts in the weeks leading up to the trip, and participants will be expected to participate in a minimum number of those in order to prepare for what is ahead. If you are unable to commit to preparing with us, please speak with Kyle, as this is a vital piece for your individual health and safety and the overall safety of the group.
Likewise, we want to prepare our minds and spirits. Along with our physical preparation, those choosing to attend ASCEND 2025 will be expected to join in on a weekly Bible study that will last throughout the Summer leading up to our trip. This will often be incorporated into our hike/workout, and will also be available through digital means. Our hope is that God will strengthen us and brings us closer to one another as we engage in the scriptures together.
For those interested in joining our team, registration will open this week. A link will be provided via Facebook and BAND, as well as in the bulletin next Sunday morning. There will be a firm commitment date of April 27th (MUST register before this date), including non-refundable deposit of $25, in order to allow sufficient time to finalize logistics.
Should payment be a challenge, please reach out to Kyle directly. We want you with us, and we will make a way for that to happen.
