Higher than the Mountains

HTTM Dedication

Hi, all.

The dedication of the Ropes Course was yesterday and it was really neat. Lots of people attended and we were thankful for a nice day and a nice turnout. Lisa Vad took pictures and we hope to get them posted soon.

The dedication ceremony took place at Pod 1 - the largest of the pods. It was awesome to get a glimpse at just how high one will be on that course. It looks like it will be a blast.

Pod 2 will be under construction a bit longer; Pod 3 is done. The rock-climbing wall on Pod 3 looks really impressive and I can't wait to see the view at the top of that pod. It overlooks Pelican Lake and just across the lake is Jenna's gazebo.

Training for facilitators of the course begins Saturday. The facilitators will have our backs at all times on the course. As I understand, Jenna's mom will be one of the facilitators and Jenna's grandpa will be one of the first to try out the course.

Don't forget the Open House for Higher Than the Mountains is May 29th from 4:00 to 8:00. There is no pressure to try the course, but we do encourage anyone who wants to see the it to come out to Camp. You can get involved by cheering on those who are on the course.

It's exciting to see all this happen; It's happening because of you! Thank you!!

Great News!!!!

Hello everyone, Kelsy here!!

I have some amazing news for everyone!!! Betsy got a phone call today from an anonymous caller. This caller thought it was very important for our high ropes course to be dedicated on Jenna Tolstad's birthday (May 6th). In order to dedicate the course we have to have all of the money raised. The anonymous caller was obviously a VERY generous person and offered to donate enough money to reach our $75,000 mark by what would have been Jenna's 18th birthday. However, money is still needed for future expenses such as insurance, helmets, repairs, and other miscellaneous costs.

Construction for the high ropes course starts sometime on Thursday April 24, 2008 and it will take about 2 weeks to complete. This means the course will not be completely finished on the dedication date, but it will be close.

Words cannot explain are excited, grateful, and blessed I feel. I am still in shock that all of the money has come in. I want to thank each and every one of you for you support, hard work, dedication, and prayers.

You are all welcome to the come to the dedication ceremony. I will let you know what the exact time it will take place as soon as I know. Thank you again.

God Bless you all,
Kelsy DesLauriers

Huge Thanks

As I spend time looking through the list of people and businesses that have donated to Higher Than the Mountains, I am overwhelmed. With the help of all of those listed, we are seeing this dream unfold. Space has been cleared for the course, poles have been delivered and work will soon be underway. We look forward to continuing fundraising. Since safety on this course is priority One, we will continue to raise funds for safety gear - helmets and continuos updating of harnesses and ropes.

This project will bring so much to Camp Metigoshe and to the lives of everyone who braves the course, just as Jenna brought so much to all of our lives!! We are anxious to complete the course and looking forward to many years of adventure.

We'll continue to keep you posted on the progress of HTTM, both on fundraising and work on the course. Thank you to all who have helped us closer to our goal and to those who continue to help. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!

Anxious to get there

Hi, everyone. We have been blessed with some generous donations that are helping us closer to our goal. It's a process and we still need you. Another challenger turned in her donation this week. She exceeded her goal and we know each one of you can, too. We have a ways to go, yet. We'll keep you posted on how fundraising is going and share new ideas on how others are meeting the challenge.

2 DAYS!!!

ONLY 2 DAYS TO GO!! We are all getting really excited!! Please remember to spread the word. That is one of the best ways to help right now! Its a concert for all ages! If you are looking for another way to help out with the concert, we could use people on clean up after the concert. Bring your friends!! Hope to see you all there!!!!

~Kelsy

Concert lineup

Everything is falling into place and we're excited!

The concert will be kicked off by our MC Brian Engelhart. He'll keep you all informed and entertained. The opening act is a group consisting of Cody Rogness, Michael Power and Jordan Peterson. I've heard them once before and really enjoyed them. Peder will follow and be great. As I understand, he did an awesome job on the main stage at Sonshine Fest last week. He's geared up and ready to go for us.

Make sure you don't have to leave early, because you won't want to miss Jen Behm's special song "Age Sixteen Angel" at the close of the concert. It's beautiful and Jenny does a great job.

Our evening closes with a campfire - just as evenings close at Camp. Kelsy tells me Jenna loved that time at camp. If you haven't experienced it through camp, you'll get that chance next Thursday.

We've heard that Jenna's teammates, classmates, and friends will be out in full force. Even for those that didn't know Jenna, we welcome you and can't wait to see you all there!!!!

HTTM needs you

Hi, everyone. The concert date is getting close. We're looking forward to all seeing all of you there. If you'd like to help us out at the concert, let us know. We have shifts open for concessions and ticket takers. Even if you want to help prior to the concert, we'll have something for you. Email me at marsha_des@mail.com

Thanks. See you all soon.
-Marsha

Saying Thanks

I want to let you all know that we have some great people in our corner. Among them is Jay Davis, owner-extraordinaire of KBTO, WGO and the Zoo and he is running announcements about Jenna's concert several times a day on all three of his stations. I believe Jay's stations and KHRT will be broadcasing from the ND State Fair next week; if you see them please tell them you've heard the ads and thank them for running them. They are doing us a great favor and need our thanks.

-Marsha

KFYR News clip of Jenna's Project.

I hope you all got see the feature about Jenna's project on the news last Friday night. It ran on KMOT and KFYR at 6:00 and 10:00. Brenda Scholten did a beautiful job capturing Jenna's spirit and showing her off to everyone that watched. You can still see it on the web at:

http://www.kfyrtv.com/News_video.asp?news=8685

KMOT will have a clip about the project on Thursday, July 19th on their noon segment, too. And be listening to KHRT - they run ads and interviews throughout each day about Higher Than The Mountains.

Hey everyone, it's the web designers. We're happy to report that over 1500 people have visited the Higher than the Mountains website since it launched at the end of May! Thank you all so much for your support of this project so far.

In order to keep people coming back to the site, we uploaded a ton of new information tonight that we want you to check out and tell your friends about:

- On the Concert page, we added new information about the concert on August 2.
- The How to Help page was updated with more details about the Challenge.
- An exciting new page was created to help remember Jenna's life. Click on the Memories link in the sidebar to share your stories about Jenna.
- The Merchandise page features photos and ordering information about merchandise for sale to benefit the project.
- The Supporters page is a special thank you to everyone who has given to our project.
- Finally, our Contact page now helps you match names to faces with a picture of most of the Higher than the Mountains task force.

Don't forget to use the How to Help page to spread the word about Higher than the Mountains to your friends and family. With less than a month until the kick-off concert, we want to let everyone know about our project. Not only will the Higher than the Mountains ropes course help us to remember Jenna, but it also will be a great adventure for campers for years to come as they grow close to each other and to God.

Thanks again for all your support! Keep spreading the word, and check back soon for more updates!

Hi Everyone!

Great news on our REC magazine article. It is complete and will be published as a feature article in ALL of the ND REC magazine in their July issue! Be sure you get your hands on a copy to read it!

Have a great day!

Nancy

We have a little something in the works at Higher Than The Mountains. My niece, who lives in Cincinnati, OH has been making bracelets in honor of Jenna. Several orders have been filled and they are beautiful. Also available are keychains. Both are made of sterling silver beads and swarvoski crystal stones - each color stone signifying a portion of the following poem (the poem accompanies each order):

The Jenna Bracelet Story

Some shall never know you;
while others shall not forget,
The way you lived your life,
was as good as good can get.
You've been an inspiration to your friends and strangers too,
And so we wear this bracelet as our way to honor you.

Your passion for adventure burned as red as the setting sun,
Surrounding theTurtle Mountains like the clouds when day is done.
The Metigoshe pools with laughter, for your soul has trickled in,
Now the landscape tells the story of our everlasting friend.
May your strong faith help remind us that good is found in all,
And that kindness to each other should be shown to big and small.
Change is never easy, though it helps us all to grow,
God is always with us and that's all we need to know!
Your spirit soars to heaven on the graceful Eagle's wing,
Higher than the Mountains may your heart forever sing!

Soon, I will have all the necessary information to our webmaster and they will supply a link with ordering information. Check back!!

E-mail List

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Challenge

I have gotten word that more of you have accepted our challenge. Thank you!! We hope to post names of those that meet the challenge on this website. Check back!

Stuff to Buy

Hi, everyone. I just wanted to let you all know that merchandise is arriving and more is being ordered for Jenna's concert. We now have wrist bands that you can purchase for $1.00. They're green and white with Jenna's initials and have the date of the concert on them. They're available at Camp Metigoshe or from members of our committee. We will also be ordering t-shirts next week. You'll definitely want one of these. They will be available in advance or the night of the concert.

Just a note: to please consider accepting our challenge. We need you and you can make a difference!!!

happy day,
Marsha