WHY I RECOMMEND SAND TO STONE
Sand to Stone uses wilderness adventure as a key element in helping father’s disciple their sons into Gospel oriented men who strive to live out their lives the way God designed them to. Their focus is unique in that they serve father-son relationships only.
SAND TO STONE’S MISSION
BRIEF HISTORY OF HOW SAND TO STONE GOT STARTED AND WHY IT EXISTS
After being a camper and camp counselor at Kanakuk Kamps, and being discipled by the Navigator ministry, it was pressed on me to lead a father-son ministry, to raise future men, and to be an encouragement to fathers to leave a multi-generational legacy built on the gospel. We became a part of a large Sunday school class full of young boys, and from this core group, we started a bi-annual camping outing, that eventually grew into Sand to Stone, which now serves multiple churches in the state of Oklahoma and provides many unique adventure experiences every year.
DURATION OF TRIPS OFFERED
Trips are range from 1 to 5 days.
EXPEDITIONARY LEARNING ELEMENTS INCLUDED ON TRIPS
- Daily devotion or quiet times
- Teachable moments or trail talks along the journey
- Having participants share their testimony or life-story
- Peak climbs
- Rafting
- Canoeing
- Backpacking
- Practicing and Teaching Leave No Trace Ethics
- Survival Discipleship
WHAT MAKES A SUCCESSFUL WILDERNESS TRIP?
A successful wilderness trip creates appropriate risk/reward physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually, for both the father and son, while providing encouragement for each to draw closer to one another while experiencing the gospel message. Because we mark the pathway to manhood through a rite of passage, experiencing these either as the receiver or observer is a critical component to a successful trip.
HOW SAND TO STONE POINTS PEOPLE TO CHRIST AND HELPS THEM GROW IN THEIR FAITH
We use wilderness to draw attention to creation, the creator, and the fall. We use any number of natural things or experiences with camping to point to the Bible, and ultimately the cross. We have learned how to pray using ACTS while at camp. We highlight manhood principles: putting God first, showing empathy, courage, humility, etc., being committed to a transcendent cause, and all of the themes come from the ten manhood principles, or the core values stated earlier.
COST
Trips cost $200 – $400.
WEBSITE
PROMO VIDEO
TESTIMONIAL
I just wanted to let you know how the Sand to Stone ministry has impacted both my life and the life of my son Caleb. We live in a society that is, for the most part, consumed with self-gratification and not committed to much of anything or anyone. I was drawn to Sand to Stone originally because of the focus on the concept of teaching our sons how to be Godly men and leaders. I have always tried to do my best to be a Godly example in my role of husband and father, but many times wondered if I was doing all I could to teach my son how to be a man in a God-honoring way. Right from the very start, I knew that Sand to Stone was exactly what I had been looking for. The father-son campouts were carefully structured to both bring the father and son closer together as well as help teach the sons about the outdoors and life lessons and the tenants of becoming a Godly man. The Sand to Stone curriculum and events are structured and deliberate in their focus on some of the vital pillars of Christlike leadership including honesty, integrity, steadfastness, kindness, compassion, quiet strength, and discernment. They also instill Christlike behaviors such as learning how to study scripture and journal and how to relate the Bible to your life and current situation. I cannot express enough what a blessing Sand to Stone has been to our family over the past few years. It is one of the most useful teaching tools I have encountered and consider the organization to be of great worth both to my family and to all those who pursue Godly parenting. – Paula Horst
