Alternative Spring Break: Birmingham

 

 Mountain Alliance Members spent a great spring break joined together with MDS (Menonite Disaster Service) to help restore damaged homes in Birmingham due to the devastating tornadoes that caused widespread destruction throughout the South.

Mountain Alliance's action plan!

 A few images from both the work of the members and also their evenings exploring Birmingham's culture and flavor!

 The things that happen to you when you fall asleep.... One problem though, revenge was sure to come!!!

 A moment to reflect on the day and a little fellowship among the group.

 Mountain Alliances hardest and most beloved worker!

  While the main focus is on clean up, repair and rebuilding homes, this service touched both the lives of both the participants and also the homeowners.

Wore out from a great week! We hope you will be able to join us next year for another great Spring Break!

OVT Biking

 As the weather has began to warm up, Mountain  Alliance Members decide it is time to hit the trails again!

 "Life is like riding a bicycle - in order to keep your balance, you must keep moving."  ~Albert Einstein

 Mountain Alliance members loaded up and headed down to some of the best trails at the Overmountain Victory Trail in Wilkesboro, North Carolina.

 Everyone was welcome to come out from the beginners all the way to experts!

Mountain Alliance invites you to show off your skills at the next opportunity to hit the trails!

Banff Mountain Film Festival

 Mountain Alliance members began their weekend right with a fun field afternoon at Farthing Auditorium hearing the Banff Mountain Film Festival.

 But before they got to hear such a great festival, they partook in an afternoon of mouth-watering BBQ style meal and lots of fellowship and outdoor fun!

 What a face of determination.She is ready for anything who comes in her way!

 As a group, Mountain Alliance was given the opportunity to attend the world famous Banff Mountain Film Festival. This festival is all about inspiring creativity. Mountain Alliance had the privilege of being able to both attend and participate in activities such as launching t-shirts to the crowd at the weekend long festival.

Boone is the 2nd largest showing in the United States and is considered one of the most exciting crowds in the world. Last year, both shows were sold out with over 1000 people attending each showing! Mountain Alliance members were thrilled with once again being able to launch t-shirts into the crowd!

Odyssey of the Mind: March 3, 2012

Odyssey of the Mind is a problem-solving competition open to students from kindergarten through the university level. Mountain Alliance was able to help provide the snacks to the particpants competing at Watagua High School. With an emphasis on creative solutions, participants attempt to answer a variety of questions in subjects as diverse as mechanical engineering and literary interpretation. Questions are timed, and students must come up with their best answers in just eight minutes.
 

 Team members work together at length to solve a predefined problem and present their solution to the problem at a competition. They must also generate spontaneous solutions to a problem they have not seen before.

Mountain Alliance members also learn how great it is to have a servant's heart by helping clean up after the competition. 

Mountain Alliance worked together as a team and provided snacks in the concession area such as, popcorn, drinks, pizza, sandwiches, and most importantly support for all the teams who were in the competition.This awesome experience will brighten the memories for all who participated!

Stickboy: March 13, 2012

 Mountain Alliance members visited a local bakery in Boone and was given an awesome opportunity to bake shamrock cookies for St Patrick's day!

 Their is nothing like getting your hands covered in flour and feeling the sense of pride in creating their very own, unique cookies. Plus, it is always great to be able to enjoy something delicious that you personally created from scratch!

 What??? Mountain Alliance members begin a flour fight!

 My idea of heaven is a handful of cookies and a smiling face covered in flour!!! What a great day packed with memories and laughter...

 Our members show off their creative side when creating these colorful creations!

Only Mountain Alliance members get the experience of baking some of the finest cookies ever created in a local business that bakes some of the best baked goods around!!!

Overnight Caving Part 2!

 Mountain Alliance members spend an exciting weekend full of surprise and adventure on an incredible caving trip into the unknown! The members prepared for a beautiful weekend packed with the unexpected and lots of fun in the underground world. Such a suspenseful caving trip is just what the students needed to build memories.

 Our members were exposed to unique and strange phenomena including a night sleeping in the can and a once and a lifetime sunrise at the cave!

 Only Mountain Alliance members come together to embark on awesome journeys like these!

After a long weekend full of great sight seeing and exploring the underground world, Mountain Alliance members take a moment for a group shot before they head home full of great memories and a new mud-filled wardrobe, sure to please every parent at home!