ASPIRE Academy Students Experience Faith, Learning, and Community at Winter Capstone
From January 20–22, ASPIRE Academy students gathered at Camp Au Sable for their annual Winter Capstone, a three-day experience focused on practical education, faith development, and community building. This year’s theme, “Won by One,” reminded students that ultimate victory is found in Jesus.
Approximately 160 students and staff participated in hands-on learning, service, and fellowship. Instead of a traditional speaker-led format, Capstone emphasized practical outdoor education and interactive science learning. Through science labs and outdoor discovery sessions, students explored God’s creation and deepened their appreciation for Him as Creator.
Outdoor learning was a highlight as students studied owls, animal tracks, and reptiles, discovering how faith and science work together. Capstone also provided opportunities for service, with grades 1–4 visiting a local nursing home to sing and share encouragement, demonstrating Christ’s love through simple acts of kindness.
Community moments filled each day, including a Student Association Banquet, a seventh and eighth-grade Christmas party at Eagle Lodge, and an unforgettable tubing trip to Hanson Hills, in temperatures as low as –3 degrees.
Throughout the weekend, students reflected on the truth that while they face challenges in life, they are never alone—Jesus is the One who secures the victory. ASPIRE Academy’s Winter Capstone was more than an event; it was a meaningful experience that will continue to shape students long after the weekend ended.
