Operation Snowball Club hosts two retreats every year to give students a mental health break and a sense of belonging. 

“Snowball is special because it gives students a greater connection with people, and it’s a place for you to be your authentic self,” Assistant Advisor David Stormont said.

On Nov. 1-3, in Burlington, Wisc., LT students will spend their weekend on a semi-annual trip with their classmates and friends, Stormont said. The trip consists of team-building activities, skits/performances, and small and large group sessions. Snowball is a statewide program involving many schools. The retreat focuses on alcohol and drug prevention, healthy decision-making, community advocacy, and mental health awareness for teenagers. 

At LT, Snowball members don’t meet often, just for occasional events; however, the student leaders meet every week on Thursdays. The main role of student leaders is to lead small group sessions during the retreat, Stormont said.

“I really enjoyed the retreat last year, and I thought it would be fun to get more involved in the club,” Student Leader Leah Monahan ‘27 said. “I’m on theater, so we help with the skits, and then we do parts in small groups.”

Snowball was introduced to LT in 1991 and has been successful since. The main reason for the retreat is to give students a mental health break, along with building community and leadership in communication skills, Stormont said. 

“Snowball is special because you have a community and people you can relate to,” Monahan said. “Anyone who goes there has someone they can relate to.”

Snowball is open to any student who wants to join and be involved in the club, Stormont said. It is highly encouraged to attend the retreat; in fact he tells his students about this opportunity daily to try to get them involved in the club that he loves being a part of so much.

“At Snowball, everyone there is supportive, so you feel really loved when you go there and you’re all in the same building, which creates a bigger bond,” Club Member Sophie Piccha said. “Everyone there is just so happy, and it’s nice to be around them.”