Why don't you boost your spiritual life on the slopes at SkiSpi?
Founded in Paris by Father Lecourt in 2002, the SkiSpi camp aims to allow young people aged 10 to 25 to go to the mountains for a week to ski... and give thanks. "It's an incredible experience that, every time I go there, energizes me in my faith," says 17-year-old Aleteia Balthazar, who is in her sixth Ski Spi camp.
You may have already seen them hurtle down the slopes of the Clusaz or Serre-Chevalier during the February holidays, singing songs of praise. Each year, more than 300 young people, aged 10 to 25, take part in a SkiSpi camp. The principle is simple: "Allow teenagers to follow a week of spiritual retreat and friendly encounters in the privileged setting of the mountain." Balthazar, 17, is in his sixth camp. "I couldn't leave last year but I can't wait to go in February," he says. "I grew up in a Catholic family and I do Scouting," he says. "When I heard about this camp, it immediately seduced me. The first year I went with two friends. Today we are a band of thirty and the atmosphere is extraordinary! We are all gathered around the same values and finally without knowing each other we all already know each other."
Each day begins with a time of praise and a time of teaching. Then head to the slopes where the young people are divided into groups of level and age with an animator to go skiing. "I love skiing and I have to say that this week allows me to make the most of it: the ski areas are big and the atmosphere is good," says Balthazar. The estates are large At the end of the day, a mass is offered to them and, after dinner, a festive vigil. In the middle of the week, they are offered a 'day for God'. On this day, young people are invited, through times of reflection, games and a night of worship, to get closer to God. "The SkiSpi camp is one of the moments that reboot his faith," Jacques de Tristan, who was the host from 17 to 23, told Aleteia. "For 150 young people there are about thirty animators and between four and five priests. Here the phrase "give to receive" clearly makes perfect sense. Personally, I find that conversations with young people around faith are easily knotted, at the turn of a chairlift. And then, at 150, the atmosphere of prayer is exceptional." Whether as an animator or as a young participant, the conclusion is unanimous: "It's a huge spiritual booster and joy!" assure Jacques and Balthazar.
"I started by sending my eldest daughter there when she was in fifth grade," explains Anne Frédérique Doyer. "Seeing that she hung directly, I sent my second to it from the sixth grade class... who showed the same enthusiasm! ». In addition to meeting their friends, the setting has something to seduce. "Of course, as the name suggests, it is a spiritual camp. But young people do not see it as a constraint: there are times of praise, of listening to the Word, a small mission of evangelization... But being surrounded by young people their ages means that they don't see this spiritual side in the same way as if they were with us, their parents! ».
"When you pick them up after this week, they are overflowing with joy and are the force of proposal for evening prayers," says the mother-of-one. "The Holy Spirit infuses into them and they spread around them." Her last daughter, meanwhile, was less hooked on the concept of Camp SkiSpi. "She was in fifth grade, maybe she was a little young... Anne Frédérique acknowledges. "But it thrives in other movements. In either case, I am blown away by the variety of movements that exist for young people, to nourish their faith. As parents we have to offer them but it is up to them to make the decision to go. And the results are there: after a week of Ski Spi, the house resonates with songs of praise! »
You may have already seen them hurtle down the slopes of the Clusaz or Serre-Chevalier during the February holidays, singing songs of praise. Each year, more than 300 young people, aged 10 to 25, take part in a SkiSpi camp. The principle is simple: "Allow teenagers to follow a week of spiritual retreat and friendly encounters in the privileged setting of the mountain." Balthazar, 17, is in his sixth camp. "I couldn't leave last year but I can't wait to go in February," he says. "I grew up in a Catholic family and I do Scouting," he says. "When I heard about this camp, it immediately seduced me. The first year I went with two friends. Today we are a band of thirty and the atmosphere is extraordinary! We are all gathered around the same values and finally without knowing each other we all already know each other."
Each day begins with a time of praise and a time of teaching. Then head to the slopes where the young people are divided into groups of level and age with an animator to go skiing. "I love skiing and I have to say that this week allows me to make the most of it: the ski areas are big and the atmosphere is good," says Balthazar. The estates are large At the end of the day, a mass is offered to them and, after dinner, a festive vigil. In the middle of the week, they are offered a 'day for God'. On this day, young people are invited, through times of reflection, games and a night of worship, to get closer to God. "The SkiSpi camp is one of the moments that reboot his faith," Jacques de Tristan, who was the host from 17 to 23, told Aleteia. "For 150 young people there are about thirty animators and between four and five priests. Here the phrase "give to receive" clearly makes perfect sense. Personally, I find that conversations with young people around faith are easily knotted, at the turn of a chairlift. And then, at 150, the atmosphere of prayer is exceptional." Whether as an animator or as a young participant, the conclusion is unanimous: "It's a huge spiritual booster and joy!" assure Jacques and Balthazar.
"I started by sending my eldest daughter there when she was in fifth grade," explains Anne Frédérique Doyer. "Seeing that she hung directly, I sent my second to it from the sixth grade class... who showed the same enthusiasm! ». In addition to meeting their friends, the setting has something to seduce. "Of course, as the name suggests, it is a spiritual camp. But young people do not see it as a constraint: there are times of praise, of listening to the Word, a small mission of evangelization... But being surrounded by young people their ages means that they don't see this spiritual side in the same way as if they were with us, their parents! ».
"When you pick them up after this week, they are overflowing with joy and are the force of proposal for evening prayers," says the mother-of-one. "The Holy Spirit infuses into them and they spread around them." Her last daughter, meanwhile, was less hooked on the concept of Camp SkiSpi. "She was in fifth grade, maybe she was a little young... Anne Frédérique acknowledges. "But it thrives in other movements. In either case, I am blown away by the variety of movements that exist for young people, to nourish their faith. As parents we have to offer them but it is up to them to make the decision to go. And the results are there: after a week of Ski Spi, the house resonates with songs of praise! »
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