Lyons Township High School Operation Snowball is helping the Aurora area set up its own branch of Snowball by having the senior members go on Aurora’s retreat to help lead and model the group discussions.

In the past, students in the Aurora area interested in Snowball have gone on retreats with the St. Charles group. Instead, this year LTHS Staff Leader Angela Patel, Staff Director Brittany Grosser-Basile ‘15, and other experienced seniors are helping seven Aurora high schools (East West, Central Catholic, Christian Academy, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, Marmion Military, and Rosary) set up their own retreat that will take place on December 4th-6th at YMCA Camp MacLean.

Executive Director Teresa Rosa-Jackson, who was an LT Adult Facilitator of the Snowball retreat in fall 2013, is now a leader in setting up Operation Snowball in Aurora.

“We felt a need to start the Aurora Operation Snowball Chapter to address local community issues and unite Aurora’s diverse youth community,” Rosa-Jackson said.

Snowball is a anti-drug and alcohol group that encourages students to make good decisions and informs them about the danger of illegal substances. With the fall retreats being for new members only, the Snowball community is always growing.

“The reason Snowball is called Operation Snowball is because when you spread the word, then it begins to grow and ‘snowball’,” Patel said. “Then from there Aurora will spread the word and that’s what we are trying to do with this.”

The applicants will be chosen through a lottery if there aren’t enough spots for everyone who applied. Those selected will be notified about a week later.

Leaving on Friday morning and returning Sunday afternoon gives students the weekend to stay in cabins and form bonds with their cabin mates. Throughout the weekend, students will listen to guest speakers, take part in small group discussions, and go to a dance on Saturday night.

“It’s a great way to make new friends, and a fun weekend to just be yourself the whole time,” Grosser-Basile said. “I wanted to be on staff because I really liked what Snowball was about and I wanted to help lead other kids to like it as much as I did.”