What does S.T.O.R.M really mean?

STORM stands for "Service To Others In Rural Minnesota."  For a week every summer, Christian youth from all over Minnesota, and some out of state groups gather at Northern Pines Camp in Park Rapids, MN.

Throughout the calendar year requests from the community come in and are sorted and verified as being the kind of tasks the can be handled by the youth.

From this "base camp" of operations in Park Rapids , spiritually motivated work groups visit homes and work sites in Wadena and Hubbard counties to offer their labor and support to those in the community who have expressed a need.

Youth are assigned teams (TIM GROUPS - Teens In Ministry) of about 5 - 6 with an adult driver/mentor. Multiple teams also have an adult group leader (Major Group) who serves to monitor 4 - 6 TIM groups and make sure their needs are met, things are going smoothly, etc.

The pictures below show many of the groups with a unique name and sign they build before they depart the first day. This gives them some basic team building and an identity all their own. This is a fun tradition that has endured over the years. The work groups post these signs in front of the work site so the community knows that STORM campers are there serving someone in need.

Sometimes the tasks are outside doing light construction, painting, yard work, etc.. Other times the person or persons being served may need help in cleaning, fixing or painting the inside of their home. In other cases you might find yourself helping to weeding around a Nursing Home or even helping to do light landscaping.

At lunch the groups take a break (bag lunch) and share the gospel with the homeowner or host.

After a full day of work the teams return to camp, clean up and have dinner in the dining hall. Right after that everyone goes to the Chapel for a night of song, testimony and to hear the message. it is a very fun filled, spiritual time for all.

When Chapel ends the youth have some free time to enjoy each other's company and then it is lights our for yet another day of spiritual growth and work in the community.