They were on a holiday ski trip, like many Abilene youth groups take over Christmas or spring breaks. Even though accidents happen almost every year, sponsors say they will continue to take the popular trips, whether for fun or for mission work. His group is not taking a trip this year because not enough students signed up. But Blake had been on several similar trips before moving to Abilene this year. He said he often wondered how he would respond if one of his trips ended in tragedy.
Opinions differ on whether chartered buses or vans driven by adult sponsors are safer.
Blake said he always charters a bus. Chris England, youth minister at St. Paul United Methodist Church, prefers taking two vans that will carry a total of 30 people. England said he prefers driving because he lived in Colorado for 10 years and feels confident of his skills on treacherous roads. England works with a company in Dallas owned by Don Holmes, twin brother of McMurry University men's basketball coach Ron Holmes, who is a member of St. Paul. The closeness of the people putting the trips together brings a greater sense of security, England said.