STELLA

My high on OTE 2025 was playing card games and spikeball with friends. My low was having the 3 WROATs (worst runs of all time) on the luge. It was a great year, I just wish the trip were longer. 

CAROLINE

Lows: people bringing phones, worksites/vans/room groups weren’t as great as past years, functioning body with a big group, miscommunication and “unclearness” of schedules and timing, less time for card writing. Highs: bonfire night, lake day/rafting, night closing prayer, great leader line up, worship music/ guitars, learning more about Storm and how excited everyone was and loving, and clean up groups.  

MINA

What Worked: White water rafting day, worksite groups-mixing in a few High School guys with our very capable 8th graders. We had a great and productive time – best OTE work experience, all the leaders, all of lake day, will and testimony reading, Tuesday night with playground tag and luge and camp store, clean up groups, and evening prayer (keep doing that). 

CORMAC

I like rafting and tubing. I liked seeing the impact on the community. I liked the food. 

ABBY

For this OTE, I liked how the rooms were done by age group and that we didn’t have to go to the pool. Overall, I think that OTE is well planned and very fun.  

WALTER

I learned that God loves you no matter what. I also learned white water rafting commands. 

AUDIM

I enjoyed getting to know the whirlwind and storm community better. Our worksite was so hard but I really felt that we made such a difference in their lives during this year’s OTE. I learned to appreciate what I have more. Between seeing Luke on his crutches and seeing what Angel Arms does for people. It made me feel blessed. 

ADA

I enjoyed working at a worksite and helping them set up VBS. It made me really grateful and appreciative of how much work goes into VBS but it also felt special because they had the same theme and I got to help and share my experience.  

HAZEL

Yays: rafting. Worksite (esp Mr. Kip + Mr. Bill), lake day, devotionals, the leaders (in general – they all helped me so much), nightly exams, affirmation notes/bags, music times, firepit night, playground for high school, the luge. 

CARA

This OTE felt a little different than the previous ones I’ve been on, but it’s still a very formative experience for me. Serving in the Ligonier community really shows me all that I can do to contribute to the world. OTE really gives me time to contemplate and develop and deepen my relationship with God. I’m so glad that I have the opportunities to be on these trips and a part of this community.  

CALLIE

My high of OTE was getting to know new people. My low was getting bruised by the Luge.  

CLARA

This year at OTE, I was in the Salvation Army work group, helping organize a resource room and making decorations for a VBS. This experience helped me realize what it really is like to go and help people where they are, making me more confident for what volunteer or job experiences would be like. Overall, I feel the community of Whirlwind and Storm really came together and made a fun (though bumpy) ride of a week.  

ELISHA

Despite the lack of AC and bathrooms, everyone’s spirits stayed high. I feel like that was God’s way of encouraging us. Even outside the worksites, everyone is so genuine and kind. It really was amazing!  

STEPHEN

I loved OTE this year. I connected with people I don’t normally. Which is what I wanted. I had some distractions but I had people back me up.  

BARACK

OTE was a very fun experience where we got to talk to God while helping local businesses and people. It truly is amazing how we get to have fun while helping others and while talking to God.  

CASSIE

I thought OTE was  great and I really enjoyed getting to know people. I think rafting was awesome, and I felt extremely close to God over the week.  

LUKE

The best part of OTE was spending time with my friends. I’m glad I could help people in need and I learned a lot when I was working out the site. 

HENRY 

OTE was fun because I got to connect more with God. I did not like the food. White water rafting was really cool.