By Jim ValekisCamp director
By Jim Valekis
Camp director
BELLFONTAINE, Ohio—By the grace of God, what began as one camp in the Northeast district of the WCG has grown into two—a senior camp and junior camp. A combined total of 190 young people and 60 staff were served in the process, and the reviews from many of them is that this was by far the most profound spiritual camp experience they’d ever experienced.
 Terreil Hall (left) and Tom Smith. [Photo by Donna Louis] |
After a slow start in registration, the senior camp (June 20 to 25) finished strong with 101 youths attending as campers and a staff of 40, including one visiting pastor who brought his young people to camp and stayed as an observing guest for the entire week.
The junior camp (June 13 to 18) topped out at 89 campers and 22 staffers (see report on page 17 from Tom Smith, executive director).
By far, the greatest part of the senior camp experience was the spiritual experience, with lives being transformed and commitment to Christ and ministry and discipleship being greatly deepened.
The camp chapel theme, “Get Real! With Jesus Christ,” was echoed in many ways
 JUNIOR CAMPERS—From left: Kaley Floriana, LeeAnna Gill, Elizabeth Roberts, Tiffany Jones and Amy Lemaster. [Photo by John Louis] |
throughout the week, including five chapel messages, two Christian living seminars (one on facing temptations and one on the Apostles’ Creed) and various worship events throughout the camp week.
Youths attending the camp included 11 from the Bahamas and several nonchurched kids, many of whom knew little about God.
Robin Dunn, mother of Andrea Dunn, began attending one of our congregations primarily because of the positive changes WCG camp ministry brought about in her daughter. She reported at church in Tipp City, Ohio: “I didn’t even recognize my daughter when I came to pick her up. She looked happy for the first time in a long time, and even family back home noted a difference.”
JUNIOR CAMPERS—[Photo
by John Louis]
The daughter brought tears to her mother’s eyes as she stood up at church and reported: “Before I went to camp I didn’t even know whether I believed in God. Last Tuesday, I accepted Jesus Christ.”
Virtually the same was said by a John Bettis from Tipp City. That church had a
 Autumn Richie |
spaghetti supper as a camp fund-raiser, and he was presented with one of two free weeks at the camps. He plans on attending church every week, and has connected with the congregation through the camp’s youth workers who attended with him. His pastor sees this as an opening wedge for being able to expand into community ministry in his area.
The campers had plenty of time for play as well, with water balloon battles, mud-pit fights, zip lines, water polo and rope challenge courses.
 TUG OF WAR IN MUD PIT |
One of the most enjoyable times for the youths, though, ended up being the worship time in the evening that culminated with virtually every camper praying individually, one by one, at the wooden cross overlooking the lake under a starlit night.
Another powerful evening was the open discussion camp-fire sessions directed by Mike Greider, camp chaplain, for the guys, and Becky Valekis and Julie Frantz for the girls, giving the campers an opportunity to pray and discuss challenges with temptation issues facing teens today.
One enthusiastic camper wrote the camp office with this report about his first
 GIRLS DORM 1G |
weekend back at church: “My group got home safely, and we’ve still got our fire going. It came as a natural reaction to pray over my mom when I noticed she was sick.
“We went to church today and a lot of people were turned on by our liveliness. Our youth pastor had been at a loss because he thought he was failing, and then to see us with such a renewed zeal brought him to tears. He was so happy to see us really getting into God.
“We were given as much time as we needed to talk about our experiences at camp and what they meant to us. God did so much for us.
 CHAPEL DEBRIEF—Photos on this page by Julie Frantz and Tina Frantz. |
“I really want to get involved in my church now! I’ve started a church drama team. I’ve already had a couple people ask to sign up for whatever they can be helpful with. It’s so cool to be a light to others.”
Work of the Holy Spirit
 From left: Shannon Hampton, Nichole Richie and Holly Dunn. |
One staff member put the experience this way: “Youth ministry is by nature exhausting, frustrating and sometimes incredibly messy.” And this week was no exception. But to stand back and see what the Holy Spirit did at this camp made every sacrifice infinitely worth it.
Junior camp
Tom Smith reported that 22 staff hosted 89 seven- to 13-year-olds at the SEP Ohio Junior Camp. Staff and campers came from Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and West Virginia. This was an 80 percent increase over last year’s camp.
We enjoyed serving 13 Angel Tree children (one or both parents are in prison). For our curriculum, we used Lava Lava Island, Where Jesus’ Love Flows from Group Publishing. The children learned how Jesus brings hope, followed God’s Word, fights temptation, gives us courage, saves us and gives us a reason to celebrate. They also made crafts and treats each day.
The campers had lots of fun swimming, fishing, boating, blobbing, mountain-boarding and playing various games.
Twenty-three asked to counsel for baptism when they returned home. Their pastors and parents were notified.
Copyright © Grace Communion International, 2004