Discovery Stories
Stay up to date with the latest discovery stories here. We have stories about world-changing students and everything our department is up to.
Why Apply for a Discovery Experience?
Each year, Valor Discovery experiences take students all over the country and the globe to serve others in the name of Christ. Many trips are led by the same leaders and partner with the same ministries year after year, creating strong relationships and rhythms that benefit both students and ministry partners.
Bill Bufton, Athletic College Counselor, has led the same Discovery trip to Alaska for the last five years. The group travels to the Kenai Peninsula, where they work with Alaska Missions to run a sports camp for elementary students. Although the group of Valor students changes each year, they always leave the trip commenting on how they grew in their faith and were challenged by experiencing a different culture. Cata Colon ‘21 joined the Alaska experience in 2019 and was transformed by her experience. She says, “When the kids asked about Christianity, I had to dig into what I believed to answer them, and I tried to encourage them as much as I could.”
Each Discovery team prepares for their experience through team meetings in the months leading up to it. Depending on their destination, they discuss and prepare for a new cultural context. Most importantly, their growth together as a team lays a foundation of support for whatever they will encounter. Bufton emphasizes relational and spiritual bonding in their team training, saying, “A lot of it is getting to know each other and building some trust within the group. We also do some preparation on how to prepare your testimony or life story so they can share that with the kids.”
Discovery has experiences planned for locations all over the world in 2021, ranging from serving our neighbors in Denver to partnering with local ministries in Kenya and Uganda. Students should explore all their options and consider factors like cost and service prerequisites to see what could be the best fit for them.
Reflecting on her experience in Discovery, Cata recommends it enthusiastically to any other student who is considering an experience. “I would definitely recommend another student to apply for Discovery. Every trip, in some way, is a test of faith.”
More Discovery Stories
Valor Christian High School from Colorado came to serve alongside us, and it truly felt like we were being reunited with family!! We were so happy to have them back in Nicaragua!
This summer, I had the privilege of going on the Colorado Trek. This Discovery experience focused on faith and discipleship while backpacking across southwestern Colorado. Our trip didn’t actually start on trail, but at our first of many group meetings prior to the trip. We spent time diving into scripture and discussion in order to further understand topics like faith, community, and the character of God, which were reaffirmed for me throughout our five days of hiking.
Going on the trip to Zambia truly changed my life. My parents are missionaries, so I grew up overseas serving, but I wasn't expecting the experience to impact me this much.
I was truly blessed to be a part of this experience and amazing team. The two weeks spent in Poland will always have a huge impact on my life, the way I treat others, and the relationships I will build in the future.
Africa cannot be put into words. Rwanda is not a country that can be explained, only deeply felt. Heartbreak, loss, redemption, and love all float within the famous red dirt and a thousand hills. Rwanda changes you.
My Discovery trip this year was unreal. Aside from getting to serve the children of Alaska, I also got to serve with my fellow peers. Every day was a gift that I know my Alaska team did not take for granted. The Lord showed up in ways I will never forget.
2022 grad Ashleigh Anema served in student leadership in her time at Valor, was the VP of Discovery in 2021-22, and has served on Discovery teams in Honduras and Thailand. Recently she shared her reflections on her time in service at Valor.
Each year, Valor Discovery experiences take students all over the country and the globe to serve others in the name of Christ. Many trips are led by the same leaders and partner with the same ministries year after year.
Each year, Valor Discovery experiences take students all over the country and the globe to serve others in the name of Christ. Many trips are led by the same leaders and partner with the same ministries year after year.
Over the years, a handful of Valor students and alumni have spent their summers at Teepee learning scripture, chasing adventure, building relationships and gaining perspective.
As the world went on lockdown, Valor students faced this past Spring with purpose. In the midst of the pandemic, they looked around for what they could do and found comfort in serving.
Madison Kempton’s roots in international missions run deep. So do her roots at Valor Christian. Learn more about her here in a recent blog post.
Unlike most of her fellow seniors, Ellie won’t be headed to college in the fall. Instead, she’ll pack her bags for nine months of service, an adventure with World Race that she started dreaming about years ago.
Alumni Christine Adams sat down to share about her experience as a Physician Assistant in Santa Barbara, CA during recent weeks.
Just a few years ago, the health care field wasn’t one Coach Brooke Jelniker thought she’d end up in – but as she’s learning, God had other plans.
Learn how Valor has changed perspective in the midst of a worldwide pandemic as we have worked together as a team to serve the Lord.
Through Discovery, many students change the trajectory of their life vocationally, spiritually, relationally and emotionally, more holistically becoming who God created them to be.
For many students, Valor’s Discovery program leads to eye-opening experiences in a new country or a new understanding of different cultures and customs.
View the reflections of the Valor Baseball team on their trip to the Dominican Republic.