Nineteen youth from the Pacific Northwest Conference traveled over 28 hours and 1700 miles to attend the Western Regional Youth Event in Billings, Montana. They heard from several talented speakers, including an African drummer and storyteller, a musician, and Amy Roloff from the TV show "Little People, Big World." The youth also participated in service projects like cleaning up after a tornado and sorting donations. They connected with each other through workshops, activities, and sharing their experiences each day. The last day included fun outdoor activities like rappelling before beginning their long drive home.

1. Western Regional Youth Event “Reaching Beyond the Big Sky”

3. It was a long drive… z z z z z z z z z

4. But the breaks were entertaining…

5. One stop was overrun with squirrels…

6. 1 st Night - Camp N Sid Sen Relaxing by the lake after a long day of driving

7. 19 youth from the Pacific NW Conference traveled and attended WRYE together Camp N Sid Sen Getting to know each other

8. photo of the Student Union Building MSU Billings was our gracious host photo of Petro residence hall

9. We heard from many talented speakers and performers… Masankho Banda African drummer, singer and story teller.

10. We heard from many talented speakers and performers… Lost and Found provided music throughout the week.

11. We heard from many talented speakers… We wrote personal challenges after the Rachel’s Challenge presentation. Rachel, a victim of the Columbine shooting, challenged others to be kind and help others and to see the best in other people – a message her dad relayed to us at WRYE.

12. We heard from many talented speakers and performers… Amy Roloff Little People Big World

14. Service Projects NUCC Youth spent an afternoon giving back through a variety of service projects including Cleaning up roofing debris from a recent tornado Sorting and hanging donations at the Family Services Center Weeding and cleaning the local zoo

15. Service Project- Cleaning up roof debris

16. Service Project – Sorting Donations

17. Sorting donations resulted in new threads…

18. Between workshops and activities, we connected with each other…

19. We made new friends…

20. …and connected with old friends

21. Each day, we checked in and shared our experiences

22. Our meeting room was called BEARTOOTH! BEARTOOTH! BEARTOOTH!

23. NUCC Youth shared their talents…

24. All sorts of talents…

25. We got to be …ourselves

26. Even our Conference Minister, Rev. Mike Denton got in on the fun!

27. Last day = fun outings like Rappelling

28. Rappelling

29. Pacific Northwest Conference WRYE Participants

30. Veradale UCC in Spokane hosted us on our way home

31. Your support helped us get there! THANK YOU!