Your flaws aren’t preventing God from using you, so who or what is going to define your worth?
Choose Joy.
What an incredible three weeks it was at Summer Camp!
I would like to firstly praise God for allowing Summer Camps at Howqua to happen in 2021, even amongst the uncertainty of Covid-19 restrictions. Given Greater Sydney could not run their Summer Camps in 2021 due to COVID-19, VicYouth is incredibly grateful that all three camps (GAP, Juniors and Teens) could occur.
Camp at Howqua is a long-standing tradition for many campers and staff; it’s a time to be surrounded by new and old friends, be involved in exciting all-day activities, and experience Jesus in a new way.
Over the three weeks at Howqua in January, there was a total of 148 campers who were able to experience a Jesus-centred community with evening worship, great music, and challenging messages by our speakers, learning about this year’s theme of how to Choose Joy.
2020 has been a stressful and uncertain time for all of us. Due to the fires a year ago, GAP camp was unable to run: a huge disappointing for all involved. VicYouth, however, did not want this experience to be missed, so each of last year’s GAP campers were invited back, even if they had passed the age limit during 2020.
The VicYouth team is thankful for all the staff that attended Summer Camp.
Not only do our staff serve as cabin leaders, they also assist in other leadership roles such as worship and drama coordinating, running morning and afternoon activities and even preaching. Sure, it’s an exhausting role—being the first to rise and last to bed each day—but the stories, skills and experiences that come out of camp are long-lasting.
Now let’s not forget our incredible speakers who all shared on the topic of Choose Joy. Our GAP camp speakers were Bryan and Lorraine Roberts, who first shared their ideas of how choosing joy is linked to choosing God. When you study the character of God and see His beauty, you get to know who you are and what your life is really about. This kind of joy permeates your daily life and relationships… it’s a way of being.
Rhys Holton was the speaker for Junior’s, and he challenged us on the idea that “I am so flawed that Jesus had to die for me, but so loved that He found it a joy to do so!” Rhys also taught us that happiness happens, but joy lasts.
And Pr Josh Stadnik and Jeremy Choo tag teamed for Teen Camp, each giving us a new perspective on joy. Josh shared the idea of taking joy in the trials, because Jesus’ pain has led to our gain, and He provides a place where suffering is embraced. Even in our moments of darkness, God is developing something in us. Josh also taught us that when comparison begins, contentment ends, reminding us that everyone has their own race to run. Therefore, run with purpose in every step because you can’t faithfully follow Jesus if you’re always comparing yourself to others. God cannot work through us or show how mighty He is if we are always concerned with judging ourselves or others – especially as sometimes the real story is not seen.
Jeremy challenged us on the idea that if we try and fill our lives with things of the world, they won’t fully satisfy us, as everything good takes time! In God’s presence, we are full of joy.
One of the many highlights from camp was after the evening programs, when the campers built a camp-fire out under the stars and spent time together as a cabin, discussing the message further or singing worship songs. It was such a unique atmosphere and gave the opportunity for campers to share whatever was on their heart and pray for one another.
Looking back now, my favourite night at camp was the Friday night worship service at Teen Camp. For
the first time at Summer Camp, our speaker Jeremy led us in a memorable experience of having communion together, inviting us into a space of reflection on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
Another highlight from camp was Banquet night, where the whole camp dressed up for a fancy dress dinner, “Into the Jungle” style! Some very creative and clever costumes came out such as park rangers, birds, cheetahs, and even a King Julian from the Madagascar movies.
At the end of each week, the campers were given a time of reflection and an opportunity to make some powerful decisions for Christ, accepting the joy that He offers. Campers reflected on James 1:2-4 where it says “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
2021 was my first year at Victoria’s Summer Camps, and I can’t stop beaming over my experience. My role was Dean (aka Mum) for both Junior and Teen Camp, and it was such meaningful work for me. It was an honour to serve alongside such a hard-working team who sacrificed their time to ensure the campers had a unique, supportive and fun summer camp experience. I saw the staff grow in themselves over the weeks at camp, showing a Christ-like character in all that they did, and being positive influencers for the campers, enhancing their experience with God.
Summer camp was the best way to spend my holidays, learning things about myself and growing my skills as a leader, making amazing new friends and helping the campers to Choose Joy.
It was a privilege to meet all the campers and listen to their stories.
I want to affirm each decision made at camp, and I look forward to seeing how they choose joy and choose God.
Praise God for a successful and incredible three weeks of summer camps, and I’m looking forward to seeing everyone again next year!
