GREATER FOX RIVER VALLEY “If I have OPERATION SNOWBALL a positive impact on you… Meets Every Thursday! you can have a positive impact All General Meetings on someone else… are held on Thursdays at the Regional Office of Education (Old Sixth Street School) and the effect 210 South Sixth Street, Geneva SNOWBALLS!”

Participating GFRVOS High Schools

Aurora Central Catholic High School Aurora Christian High School Batavia High School Burlington Central High School Geneva High School Math and Science Academy Follow us on social media! Kaneland High School GFRVOS Teen Directors Rosary High School Sam Keilty St. Charles East High School Rachel Rutter St. Charles North High School GFRVOS Adult Directors Yorkville High School Tim Baker (630) 877-1308

Melissa Byrne (630) 730-2022 GFRVOS is proudly sponsored Visit us at by the Kane County Regional Office www.gfrvos.org of Education It’s a Toxic World Out There! What is a If you’re a teen (or a parent of a teen) you know that today’s world is a tough place to Snowball Event? grow up in. You’re faced with challenges that previous generations never had to deal with. A Snowball Event is a 3-day weekend  “I have grown in my relationships You’re bombarded every day with pressure to that starts in Geneva. You’ll join with family, friends, and people I make unhealthy choices. In fact, we at Opera- approximately 130 teens from 14 meet along the way” tion Snowball refer to today’s world as “The different high schools in the Fox  “I’ve learned to accept myself for Toxic Culture”. River Valley and travel by bus to who I am—I know that I am unique” So, how do you survive? Lorado Taft Campus, Oregon, IL.  “It gives me a chance to put my life One way is to surround yourself with teens and adults While at the Event, you’ll participate in perspective, I get a ‘time out’ in who encourage and support good decisions and healthy my life so I can evaluate it.” lifestyles. That’s where Operation Snowball comes in. in numerous activities designed to promote a healthy lifestyle. Sound  “I think I learned a lot more about The Greater Fox River Valley chapter of Operation boring? Not!! You’ll have fun—and how to handle pressures in life” Snowball (GFRVOS) is an adult directed/teen led or-  “The biggest way I have grown is ganization that has served our communities for more probably the time of your life! than 28 years. Comprised of teens from 14 Fox Valley that now when I look at people, I High Schools, we are much more than a drug and alco- don’t prejudge them by looks or gos- hol prevention group! We provide leadership training sip” and other activities that prepare teens for college and  “I have become more accepting of beyond. A Special Note to Parents people and situations.” Have FUN doing it! Operation Snowball meets every Thursday at 7 P.M. at A Snowball Events and Thursday night  “I’ve learned how to build healthy, the Regional Office of Education in Geneva. Our meet- meetings are a wonderful way to help kids honest relationships.” ings are always different. Sometimes we have guest enhance their self esteem, develop  “Snowball has made me much more speakers like local soldiers who just returned from Iraq responsible decision making skills and outgoing” and Ramblin’ Ray Stevens and Lisa Dent from US99. Sometimes we’ll do things to help out the community, create positive peer influence. It is designed  “Snowball helped me stop making like collect supplies for Lazarus House or distribute toys to keep healthy kids healthy. It is a safe, some stupid decisions that I had to the less fortunate. And, sometimes we just have fun! well organized, and highly supervised made in the past.” We also sponsor two weekend retreats every year weekend that has been sponsored by  “Snowball has helped me realize that (awesome stuff!) that have become legendary in the Fox GFRVOS over 28 years. Valley. I’m not the only one. It helped me re-

How do you join? alize that some things I did weren’t You can learn more about Operation Snowball by visit- worth it.” ing our website at www.GFRVOS.org. There, you’ll  “I learned that I was not as different find contact information for our Teen and Adult Direc- tors. If you don’t have access to a computer, you can or alone as I thought.” call our Adult Directors: Tim Baker at (630) 877-1308  “My senior year is causing me to or Melissa Byrne at (630) 730-2022 make many decisions and Snowball has made me come to some of the Check us out – You’ll be glad you did! right ones.”