SEP

SEP: A Journey With Jesus
in the Hills of Connecticut

By Steve Botha
Camp Director

PLYMOUTH, Connecticut—Ninety-six campers and 56 volunteer staff members experienced the grace of God during SEP Connecticut, Aug. 17 to 23.

We faced the challenge with the power blackout, which took place before the start of camp. This added some obstacles in last minute preparation, but when camp started everything was in place.

We continue to use a Boy Scouts of America facility called Camp Mattatuck. The camp has its own lake for swimming and boating, a dining hall, cabins and tent sites. The 32 preteen campers with their counselors and dorm parents were housed in the cabins, while the teens and other staff members stayed in platform tents.

After breakfast every morning, we started the day with a chapel service. This year our chaplain was Pastor Tim Brassell. In addition to Pastor Tim, sermons were given by Ken Williams, district superintendent; and Pastors Jeff Broadnax and Steve Botha. Worship was led by Pastor Tim and Affinity, a group of young adults from Long Island, New York. After worship services, we had a time of debriefing during which campers reflected on the messages.

Campers spent the rest of the day in a variety of activities. They enjoyed archery, riflery, swimming, boating, arts and crafts, volleyball, kickball, soccer, flag football and dance classes. For the teens, the high ropes course emphasized team building and cooperation. This year we also had a baking class, which proved to be popular. In addition, all the teens were involved in speech class. They presented two speeches, “This Is My Life” and “What Jesus Means to Me.” Each dorm selected a speaker to present his or her speech at the final banquet and dance.

Christ’s presence was evident in all activities. Fifteen young people made a commitment to accept Jesus as their Savior, and six teens were baptized at the camp. The camp staff provided thorough counseling, and parents and pastors were involved in the baptismal process.

At the final luncheon, the following campers were honored as the most outstanding campers of SEP Connecticut: for the preteens, Erin Nuss from Middletown, New York, and Nathan Gilbert from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The teens selected were Jessica Whitney from Concord, New Hampshire, and Andrew Madison from Albany, New York.

Oliver Bradford during cooking class.
[Photos by Peter Ekonomakos]

Jen Thomas encouraged
by Karl Jenner (lower right).

Campers enjoy time on the lake.

Staff prepare for service and banquet.

Natasha Kubik enjoys
the view on the COPE course.

Jonathan Kuhn and his family participate
in his baptism.

Tim Brassell hugs Jonathan Kuhn after his baptism.

Trenisha Lewis at the archery range.

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