TAA High Schoolers Bond at Alley Spring
TULSA, OKLA. – Tulsa Adventist Academy’s (TAA) annual high school challenge was another great hit at the beginning of the 2024-2025 school year. Our high school students enjoyed six days of camping (cell phone free) at Alley Spring, a campground in Ozark’s National Scenic Riverways park system. Our principal, three high school teachers and two TAA volunteers joined students as they pitched tents in a shady glen, complete with a restroom on site. For the freshmen, the start of the school year can be a time of uncertainty, but by including the entire high school student body, everyone quickly banded together.
TAA’s theme this year is “Purpose,” based on Ephesians 2:10, where Paul reminds us “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Each camp day began with worship, which consisted of time alone with God (Bible reading), volunteer sharing and prayer. Several students said that after this experience, they are excited about reading their Bibles, something new for them!
On Tuesday, we visited the beautiful aqua-green Alley Spring and Mill and hiked the nearby trails. We spent the afternoon swimming in the cool crystal-clear Jacks Fork River, catching crawdads and tadpoles. As with every evening, the day ended with praises in song and testimonies. On Wednesday, we survived the small-but-mighty rapids on a six-hour canoe trip. The unusual and spectacular blue pigment in parts of the river is due to a specific chemical in the river that supports the endangered Ozark hellbender salamander, found primarily in the area. Afterward, students enjoyed team-building exercises that challenged them to be patient and collaborate.
Thursday was a hiking day near Big Spring, found at the base of a cliff in the Current River. We also visited a one-room schoolhouse that was used until 1957. NASA astronaut, Thomas Akers attended that little school years ago.
On Friday, the students had a community service and learning day. Park Ranger Josh shared how the Alley Spring community was founded, and how the grist mill and spring were vital in the pioneers' success. After the tours, students cleaned up litter along the Jacks Fork River beachfront.
The highlight of the bonding week was the Sabbath morning student testimonies. These were not “feel good” stories, but rather deeply painful experiences that had many of us in tears. Listening to students share how God has answered prayers and become a Friend they can count on was incredibly inspiring. Several adults also shared their testimonies to encourage and give hope to students who may be experiencing doubt about God's role in their life. The day ended at Rocky Falls catching tadpoles and sliding down molten rock.
