Northern Light Fall 2021

NEW seems to be the theme of this Northern Light. From new staff to new housing to new construction projects...we're in a significant season of growth at HoneyRock this fall and for the foreseeable future.

When I review the stories in this Northern Light, I find myself struck by God's grace and providence.

We persevered through a second summer of the pandemic, though this time serving a record high of 998 campers (944 overnight). Of those campers, a significant number spent 3+ days (up to 14 days) off our main site on wilderness trips. Through these experiences, our team witnessed incredible stories of authentic community and powerful experiences in creation.

God has given a powerful vision for our ministry through horses and the initial funding to actively pursue it. You'll see we've started breaking ground on the first phase: a much-needed new hay and feeding facility.

Our professional staff team is growing with exceptional individuals who are dedicated to fostering the development of whole and effective people through transformational outdoor experiences. You'll meet one of those individuals, the new Wheaton Passage Program Director, below. 

My request to you is to pray on HoneyRock's behalf for:

• Wisdom as we navigate growing Passage into the orientation experience of Wheaton College
• Safety in our site and facilities projects, frequent trips between Wheaton and HoneyRock, and on our wilderness trips
• Growth of our Vanguards, Fellows, and Graduate Students as they seek the Lord during their time at HoneyRock
• Time to rest and reflect despite the new and busy-ness of life at HoneyRock

Faithfully, 

Rob Ribbe
Executive Director of HoneyRock

After growing up in Atlanta, Georgia, I graduated from Columbia International University with a Bachelor's Degree in Bible and Intercultural Studies and a minor degree in Teaching English as a Foreign Language. While studying at Columbia International University, I met Emily: my wife of eight years. I continued with my education at Columbia International University's Columbia Biblical Seminary. Through graduate teaching opportunities, I found that I had a passion for developing leaders in outdoor education contexts. The Lord used this discovery to nudge me to earn my Doctor of Philosophy degree in Outdoor Education from Liverpool John Moores University in Liverpool, England. While studying in England, Emily and I had our son Owen.

My greatest passion in life is facilitating the growth that comes through connecting individuals together as they interface with God's creation. I have researched around the world to investigate how groups work together using team-building initiatives native to the adventure education disciple. The more I study community in creation, the deeper I grow in my fascination with God's power as His people fellowship in His Creation. 

Long have I known of the reputation and history of Wheaton College and HoneyRock, and I am excited to play a role in connecting our dear students into the Wheaton College community through God's creation available at the HoneyRock Center for Leadership Development. The Wheaton College Passage Program is the perfect platform to facilitate those Christ-centered connections.

HoneyRock’s historic equine facilities have been home to thousands of campers, families, and guests since their inception in the 1960’s.

We're taking a phased approach to expand our current facilities into a new Equestrian Center. This first step is building new hay storage barn and feeding facility. 

While this first phase is fully funded, the next phase requires significant funds to be raised. If you're interested in growing HoneyRock's ministry through horses, email Rob at rob.ribbe@wheaton.edu.

Click the photos below to see our current hay storage barn and feeding facility and the work completed to date. Construction is scheduled to start in November.

Renovation Begins on the Voyageur Center | Renovation Continues on the Voyageur Center

This summer we wrapped work on the Voyageur Center at HoneyRock. The new space will host Passage participants in August, summer staff teams in the summer, and Vanguards through the school year.

Click on the photo below to view photos!