May 20-21, 2011
Camp Drake, Fairmount IL.
Snowball takes place at Camp Drake a 'rural retreat' far enough from C-U that you get immersed in the weekend. It's kind of like being at camp, but instead of swimming, boating, and sailing- you talk about being a teen, and have some fun too! Each Snowball weekend is planned by adult directors and a teen staff who know the current issues and what you want to do and hear. You choose and the workshops you want to attend, and you hear about topics of interest to you.
Snowball is an opportunity to find out what you and your friends really think about the things that are important to you. It is a time of processing the honest feelings in order to gain an inner strength and knowledge that will give you a new perspective on life. And its fun!! Do yourself a favor and join us for the experience of a lifetime.
So what do you do at Snowball?
The weekend starts with our staff helping everybody meet everybody else Friday morning. Then we bus up to camp and meet our small groups. Your small group is your family for the weekend and meets and reflects- usually after large groups. Large groups are put on by the teen staff and outside speakers. Each one is different, but we always talk about taking a chance on Snowball, being yourself, meeting new people, and making good choices. Part of Snowball is devoted to mini-workshops- (you get to sign up for these)- and have been things as simple as reliving Kindergarten or traveling through an A-Maze-Ing maze, or as serious as talking about dealing with grief and loss. We also have no-talent talent show Friday night, free time, and lots of chances to meet new people or see old friends in the dorms, at meals or at our other activites.
What do people get out of it?
We hope that everybody who attends a Snowball weekend can go home and make a positive impact on their peers at school and in their community. Snowball has been proven to be effective not just at increasing the likelihood that teens will continue making healthy choices about alcohol, tobacco, and drug use, but at increasing leadership skills and self-esteem, making teens less susceptible to peer pressure, and increasing other healthy behaviors- even regarding things like wearing seatbelts (not that we talk about wearing seatbelts at Snowball!)
Snowball is a great place to...
- Make new friends
- Hear amazing speakers
- Play games, jump rope, be on stage, and be heard
- Participate in a teen-led small group experience
- Discover something about yourself
- Learn about things teens have in common, as well as all the ways that you are unique
- Learn about ways you can impact other teens as well as younger students
- Meet lots of other teens who are alcohol, tobacco, and drug free - and celebrate that!
- Snowball is three days away from home, school, and Champaign. No stress, homework, or tests. No everyday problems.
Contact Information
Champaign County Operation Snowball
Mindy Kirkton, 217-693-3016, mkirkton@prairie-center.com
OR
Lisa Snider, 217-693-3016, lsnider@prairie-center.com
