Embedded Files
In the summer of 2004, Westmont Operation Snowball, a part of the Westmont Snow program, was founded by a group of high school and adult staff members.
In the summer of 2004, Westmont Operation Snowball, a part of the Westmont Snow program, was founded by a group of high school and adult staff members.
Our mentor program was the Snowball program from Naperville, Illinois. In February of 2005, we held our first-ever retreat, an Operation Snowflake event for Westmont Junior High, which was an overnight weekend on a Friday into Saturday afternoon. The following weekend, the first-ever Snowball weekend was held, following the same format. The Snowflake weekend continues to follow this overnight format through the present day.
Both weekends were an enormous success and helped our program to gather momentum for the years ahead. The following year, in February 2006, we held our second Snowball retreat at Camp Duncan, which was a repeat of the 2005 overnight format, but changes were already in store for Snowball.
Our mentor program was the Snowball program from Naperville, Illinois. In February of 2005, we held our first-ever retreat, an Operation Snowflake event for Westmont Junior High, which was an overnight weekend on a Friday into Saturday afternoon. The following weekend, the first-ever Snowball weekend was held, following the same format. The Snowflake weekend continues to follow this overnight format through the present day.
Both weekends were an enormous success and helped our program to gather momentum for the years ahead. The following year, in February 2006, we held our second Snowball retreat at Camp Duncan, which was a repeat of the 2005 overnight format, but changes were already in store for Snowball.
2006:
Snowball changes to 3 day, 2 night format
2006:
Snowball changes to 3 day, 2 night format
For the 2006-07 school year, we moved the Snowball weekend to be held in the middle of November, generally about two weeks before the Thanksgiving holiday. We also expanded the weekend, changing from the overnight format to a full three-day, two-night retreat format. Camp Henry Horner hosted us for the first time in November 2006 and has since served as our home away from home for the past thirteen years and the last twenty-three Snowball retreats.
For the 2006-07 school year, we moved the Snowball weekend to be held in the middle of November, generally about two weeks before the Thanksgiving holiday. We also expanded the weekend, changing from the overnight format to a full three-day, two-night retreat format. Camp Henry Horner hosted us for the first time in November 2006 and has since served as our home away from home for the past thirteen years and the last twenty-three Snowball retreats.
The annual three-day, two-night weekend format continued in 2007-08, 2008-09, and 2009-10 with a single Snowball weekend held in mid-November at Camp Henry Horner. The annual Snowflake retreat continued to be held in early February.
The annual three-day, two-night weekend format continued in 2007-08, 2008-09, and 2009-10 with a single Snowball weekend held in mid-November at Camp Henry Horner. The annual Snowflake retreat continued to be held in early February.
2010-2011: Snowball adds a Spring retreat
2010-2011: Snowball adds a Spring retreat
By the 2010-11 school year, demand to participate in an Operation Snowball weekend was so great that we introduced a second weekend, to be held each spring. We held the fall weekend in mid-November 2010, and hosted our first ever Spring Snowball in May of 2011.
By the 2010-11 school year, demand to participate in an Operation Snowball weekend was so great that we introduced a second weekend, to be held each spring. We held the fall weekend in mid-November 2010, and hosted our first ever Spring Snowball in May of 2011.
For the 2011-12 school year, we moved our Spring Snowball to the middle of March (about two weeks before spring break). Perhaps rather ironically, the Spring 2012 retreat occurred in the middle of the historic March 2012 heat wave. Ever since Spring 2012, the Snowball program has continued hosting two weekend retreats with the November/March dates.
For the 2011-12 school year, we moved our Spring Snowball to the middle of March (about two weeks before spring break). Perhaps rather ironically, the Spring 2012 retreat occurred in the middle of the historic March 2012 heat wave. Ever since Spring 2012, the Snowball program has continued hosting two weekend retreats with the November/March dates.
Westmont Operation Snowball Today
Westmont Operation Snowball Today
In all, we have hosted 25 weekends over the past 15 years: We’ve experienced crazy conditions — flooding rains, heavy snow, tornado warnings, record heat. You name it, we’ve probably had it.
In all, we have hosted 25 weekends over the past 15 years: We’ve experienced crazy conditions — flooding rains, heavy snow, tornado warnings, record heat. You name it, we’ve probably had it.
We have dressed up in crazy costumes on Friday mornings, drawing more than a few bemused looks, both at school and on the drive up to camp. We’ve given out thousands of warm fuzzies. More than a few warm fuzzies are likely still buried somewhere up at Camp Henry Horner. We’ve given out countless free hugs. We’ve likely had hundreds of unfortunate pairs of shoes and boots ruined by the notorious Chicago area weather. We’ve enjoyed small groups, large groups, and workshops. We’ve experienced cramps in our hands from writing on so many wall affirmations.
We have dressed up in crazy costumes on Friday mornings, drawing more than a few bemused looks, both at school and on the drive up to camp. We’ve given out thousands of warm fuzzies. More than a few warm fuzzies are likely still buried somewhere up at Camp Henry Horner. We’ve given out countless free hugs. We’ve likely had hundreds of unfortunate pairs of shoes and boots ruined by the notorious Chicago area weather. We’ve enjoyed small groups, large groups, and workshops. We’ve experienced cramps in our hands from writing on so many wall affirmations.
We’ve welcomed back numerous alumni to enjoy the weekend with us after they’ve graduated. We’ve even had several of our alumni move up to join adult staff.
We’ve welcomed back numerous alumni to enjoy the weekend with us after they’ve graduated. We’ve even had several of our alumni move up to join adult staff.
Above all, at each and every weekend event, we have created amazing memories that will last a lifetime for each and every one of us — memories that will never be forgotten, no matter how many Snowball weekends one has experienced. Each and every weekend is unique and an experience that one can only understand if they have been on a Snowball weekend.
Above all, at each and every weekend event, we have created amazing memories that will last a lifetime for each and every one of us — memories that will never be forgotten, no matter how many Snowball weekends one has experienced. Each and every weekend is unique and an experience that one can only understand if they have been on a Snowball weekend.
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