About Operation Snowball

OPERATION SNOWBALL is a club dedicated to promoting healthy decision-making, personal growth, and a sense of community among students and staff. We plan activities related to these topics at GBN throughout the school year. Our annual three-day retreat serves as a kick-off event for the club’s activities. The retreat is planned by teens and provides students with opportunities to learn more about themselves, each other, and discuss a wide variety of topics important to their lives. Snowball creates an atmosphere in which everyone is accepted for they are and to have a lot of fun doing it. It's a great way to make new friends and feel more connected at GBN!

SNOWBALL IS…

...more than just a three day retreat.  There are follow up meetings/ activities throughout the school year.

...more than just a bunch of adults talking to you about things you should know.  As a matter of fact, Snowball is planned, led, and run by teens and adults working together to make your Snowball experience the best one possible. 

...more than just an anti-drug club.  Snowball encourages students to lead an alcohol and other drug-free lifestyle, but that is only one aspect of the program.  Snowball is about having fun as well as discussing topics such as a positive mental attitude, communication skills, dealing with stress, building stronger relationships, stereotyping, sexuality, and decision making.

...more than you can imagine! Fill out application to attend the retreat and find out for yourself!

RETREAT OVERVIEW

The retreat consists primarily of whole and small group sessions. During whole group sessions, participants listen to guest speakers and also engage in activities designed to promote a sense of acceptance and belonging within the group. 

After each whole group session at at other times during the retreat, participants meet in a small group co-facilitated by a trained teen and an adult to discuss and reflect on the whole group activities and other topics. The same small group meets throughout the retreat, and it is here where the sharing happens and participants really get to know each other.

In addition, participants will also engage in fun, activity-based workshop sessions planned and facilitated by teen leaders.  

If you want to meet new people, have a ton of fun, get away from your responsibilities for a bit, and laugh until it hurts, then consider attending the GBN OPERATION SNOWBALL retreat from November 20-22, 2025!

DATES, LOCATION and FACILITIES

This year's retreat will take place at YMCA Camp Edwards in East Troy, WI. This will be an overnight retreat. 

After school on Thursday, November 20, students and staff will be transported by bus from GBN to YMCA Camp Edwards (N8901 Army Lake Rd, East Troy, WI 53120). Departure from GBN will be at approximately 4:00pm, and travel time will be approximately 1.5 hours. At the camp, retreat activities will primarily take place indoors in climate-controlled cabins, gymnasium, and lodge facilities, although some activities may also take place outdoors (weather permitting). All-you-can-eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be served at the camp. Students will then return to GBN by bus by approximately 4:30pm Saturday afternoon. Parents and guardians are responsible for providing students with transportation home from GBN after the conclusion of the Parent Program, which is tentatively scheduled to end at approximately 5:00pm.

Below is a tentative schedule for the retreat to provide a sense of the pace and variety of activities. Times are subject to change. 

PACKING LIST

In addition, you may want to pack some extra layers and bring an appropriate coat, hat and gloves in case the weather is colder than expected.  In case of mud or wet conditions, you may also want to make sure to bring some appropriate winter footwear to avoid soggy feet!  While we will spend much of our time indoors, students will be moving from building to building at intervals throughout the day and, weather permitting, students will participate in some outdoor activities as well. Also, students MAY bring cell phones, but their use is strongly discouraged during structured Snowball activities.

Bring a refillable water bottle to carry with you throughout the day so you can stay hydrated between meals.  Filtered water dispensers are available at the camp for refills. 

ON THE DAY OF THE RETREAT:

You should check in with Snowball staff on Thursday morning 11/20 in room E121 (the Drama Room) prior to your block 1 class. All luggage can be left there for the day; the doors will be locked during the school day to secure everyone's luggage.  As soon as possible following the end of the school day, you should report to an assigned classroom for bonding activities with your cabin group. Room assignments will be communicated to the students prior to this time.  Following this, students will pick up their luggage from room E121 and board the buses for the trip to the camp. The drive is about 1.5 hours.  Snowball staff will be present to supervise cabin bonding activities, assist with the luggage pick up, the boarding of buses, and will accompany the students on the buses as well.

MEDICATIONS:

All student medications, prescription or over the counter, need to be in their own prescription bottle or store-bought bottle and must be turned in to Snowball staff on Thursday morning 11/20 when checking in luggage before the start of the school day in room E121.  This includes Tylenol and other OTC pain medications, allergy medicine, etc.  Students can request access to these medications as needed/ prescribed from staff during the retreat.  The only medications students can keep with them during the retreat are EPI pens, inhalers, insulin and/or blood sugar monitoring equipment, and birth control medications. 

CELL PHONE POLICY 

Cell phone use detracts from the overall Snowball experience.  They should be used sparingly only for contact with family during unstructured times or for emergencies.  Cell phone usage during retreat activities will result in warnings from staff and possibly the cell phone being confiscated until the end of the retreat. 

For more information, please contact our Adult Directors: William Edison (wedison@glenbrook225.org), Darin Sullivan (dsullivan@glenbrook225.org), and Kirby Tripple (ktripple@glenbrook225.org)